LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao sounded as though he was making his farewell speech moments after failing to turn back the clock Saturday night against Cuban Yordenis Ugas at the T-Mobile Arena.
“I thank the media for telling my story, about what Manny Pacquiao has done in boxing,” Pacquiao, his eyes covered in dark glasses, told reporters from the very same ring where he was handed a unanimous decision loss by Ugas.
Questions were repeatedly raised about his future.
But each time he was made to answer, he often gave cryptic messages and sometimes issued clear statements that he is finally calling it quits after an illustrious career that kicked off in 1995.
“I look forward to spending time with my family.”
Pacquiao’s loved ones were at ringside, including his wife Jinkee, who looked distraught even before the final bell had sounded, knowing that his husband was losing all the way.
“In my heart, I want to continue to fight but I have to consider my body. But I have so many things to accomplish and help my people,” Pacquiao said, citing his job as a senator back in the Philippines.
When told if he had experienced any pain and discomfort that probably might have contributed to his stunning loss, Pacquiao complained that he may have overtrained, or may have “worked too hard in training and did too much running in the mountains.”
He said his feet were cramping.
Still, he wasn’t making any excuses.
“Actually, I know his style but the thing is, I want to do my plan but my plan, techniques (I could not apply). The thing is my two legs are cramping.”
In the final phase of his training at the Wild Card Boxing Club, Pacquiao had to undergo extra stretching under the guidance of renowned physical therapist Sea Hampton.
“They were tight and hurting from the second until the 12th round. My mind and my heart is 100 percent but I don’t know my legs. Maybe because we pushed a lot in training.”
But before he left the post-fight presser, Pacquiao was in retirement mode anew during his parting shot.
“Thank you to all of you. Thank you, boxing.”
