Manny Pacquiao, believe it or not, has started thinking about life after boxing.
The Filipino ring gladiator, in a recent TV interview, said he plans to continue his studies once he gets back home from Las Vegas where he is scheduled to face Mexican slugger Eric Morales on March 19.
“Talagang gusto ko pa mag-aral. Hindi pa naman huli ang lahat. Kahit treinta anyos nga puwede pa mag-aral,” said Pacquiao who rose from humble beginnings in Gen. Santos City to become probably the richest Filipino athlete ever.
“Ang pag-aaral kasi kahit tumanda ka na hindi mawawala sa iyo. Hindi kagaya ng talent, mawawala yan. Kaya sinabi ko na sa sarili ko na babalik ako sa pag-aaral. Gusto ko din maging ehemplo sa kabataan natin,” said Pacquiao.
“Kung may pinag-aralan ka, habang-buhay mo na dala yan,” he added.
The 26-year-old southpaw will receive a huge $1.75 million paycheck (or close to P100 million) for fighting Morales. If he wins, he stands to receive even more in a projected rematch with Mexico?s Marco Antonio Barrera.
Barrera is the holder of the WBC and WBA featherweight (130 lb) titles following a down-to-the-wire victory over Morales late last year. Barrera lost to Pacquiao in 11 rounds more than a year ago.
“Ang boxing naman hindi pang-matagalan. Kaya kapag naramdaman ko na may sapat na akong kinita, puwede na siguro tumigil. Bakit ko pa hihintayin na may masamang mangyari sa akin di ba?” said Pacquiao.
The former IBF super-bantamweight champion has been in the US for almost two months now, training under American coach Freddie Roach at the latter?s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.
Pacquiao, who stays in a rented ($4,000 a month) condominium in Los Angeles, will leave for Las Vegas probably on March 14 or less than a week before the fight to be watched by millions all over the world.
“Mas-gusto ko dito sa bago kong tinitirahan,” said Pacquiao during the interview. “Yung dati kong tinitirahan dito (Vagabond Inn), lampas $2,000 a month din pero wala namang kusina. Dito mas-maganda at mas-malaki.”
Pacquiao has been away from his family for quite some time now and couldn?t wait to come home ? hopefully, of course, to a hero?s welcome.
