Pacquiao could suffer same fate as Donaire if he makes a boxing comeback, says analyst

Retired eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao would be courting disaster and could suffer a similar fate to Nonito Donaire Jr. should he decide to make a boxing comeback according to veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino.

Donaire, 39, suffered a second-round demolition at the hands of Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue earlier this month. Pacquiao, meanwhile, last fought in August when he was defeated by Yordenis Ugas, and it is rumored that he is looking to make a comeback.

“It is always, always a possibility,” said Tolentino answered if Pacquiao could suffer the same fate as Donaire Jr.

“When a fighter has been caught by Father Time, he is courting this kind of ending. That is the sad story of boxers, the one fight too many syndrome. They cannot admit to themselves that the reflexes are no longer there. They find it hard to accept that.”

According to the respected analyst, even some of the greatest fighters in boxing history had to exit the sport with a loss after they fought past their prime. According to Tolentino, it is about knowing when to hang it up for good.

“Whan a boxer becomes champion, the machismo is he is the toughest guy in the world. They cannot accept that is gone. They cannot accept that it has been taken off and there is no more cloak of invincibility,” Tolentino noted.

“That is hard for a boxer to accept when he was once the king of the world. Few won in their farewell appearance. They did not beat Father Time, they were wise enough to avoid Father Time.”

—JMB, GMA News