Coach Freddie Roach recently told ESPN that he sees Manny Pacquiao retiring earlier than anticipated.
More than 15 years after he first fought as a sixteen year old professional boxer, Manny has already reached the apex of his career. On the side, he amassed fame and wealth he never could have imagined even in his wildest dreams.
Roach, who guided and transformed a raw and wild lunging lefty into a more complete and even more devastating puncher in Pacquiao, has seen the hunger from the kid who stowed away from home to try his luck in the concrete jungles and smoke-filled arenas where thousands before him went and failed.
In Roach, Pacquiao not only found a trainer, he also found a father-like figure.
Their father-son relationship gave Roach an inside track close enough to know when the fire and hunger in Pacquiao are over.
Manny will be fighting his 57th professional fight when he climbs the ring on November 13 (November 14 in the Philippines). Fifty seven fights are a lot in today?s standard. He already accomplished what no other fighter in the history of boxing has ever done ? winning seven world titles in as many weight categories. He is on track for an eight if he beats Mexican Antonio Margarito next month.
Manny will not be wanting for motivation against Margarito.
It is when the fight is over ? win or loss ? that Roach sees what is coming.
Until Floyd Mayweather Jr steps up and signs a fight contract against the Filipino world boxing champion, Manny will have nothing more to prove and there is no one in the horizon that will whet the appetite of Manny to continue fighting for a couple of years more.
If he wins against Margarito, we might see Manny fighting his last in the first half of next year and that?s it.
He goes into retirement and the only way to provide him incentive and reason to go back fighting is Mayweather.
Manny already have his own day job having won a seat in Philippine Congress. He knows he cannot continue to be a world class marquee attraction without sacrificing some attention to his career as a Philippine legislator. On way or another, one of his multi-tasks will eventually suffer.
Manny may go slow but retirement for athletes in such a demanding sport discipline is inevitable. I don?t see Manny fighting beyond 2012. And if ever, it will just be for once.
Once in 2011 and once in 2012 and it will be over for Manny the boxer.
Welcome, congressman!
