Donaire sees Pacquiao return after retirement

MANILA, Philippines – With a few days left before Manny Pacquiao’s farewell fight, many are still skeptical about the Filipino boxing icon’s promise to hang up his gloves for good regardless of the outcome of his rubber match against Timothy Bradley Jr. on April 9 (April 10 in PH).

The latest addition to cast his own doubt on Pacquiao’s vow to retire is fellow Filipino fighter Nonito Donaire, who defends his WBO super bantamweight title versus Hungary’s Zsolt Bedak in Cebu City on April 23.

Donaire is taking his compatriot’s retirement plans with a grain of salt as he leaves the possibility of Pacquiao invoking his option to make a comeback.

The 33-year-old ferocious switch-hitter from Talibon, Bohol stressed that he will not be surprised if he sees Pacquiao lacing up a pair of an 8-ounce gloves after his third meeting with Bradley.

“We always see a celebrated fighter making a comeback. Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired a few times. Roy Jones Jr. is still fighting. Being a fighter, there is a desire that you will always want to fight,” Donaire told Rappler.

Pacquiao declared that he is ending his illustrious 21-year prizefighting run to put his full attention on his political career as he seeks a senate seat in the May 9 elections.

However, Pacquiao refused to definitively rule out a possible return to the ring at some point in the future.

Donaire stressed that whether Pacquiao decides to retire or not, he deservingly earned his spot on boxing’s list of all-time greats. 

Pacquiao has captured 12 world titles in 8 different weight classes and was hailed “Fighter of the Year” 3 times by both The Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

In addition, the BWAA recognized Pacquiao with the “Fighter of the Decade” citation for the 2000s.

Aside from the world titles and awards, Pacquiao was long rated as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world by most sporting news and boxing websites until his setbacks in 2012.

Pacquiao is currently ranked No. 7 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list and has been in the Top 10 for 643 weeks.

“He is definitely there,” Donaire said. – Rappler.com