Manny Pacquiao after winning his fight against Timothy Bradley Jr. via unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, April 9, 2016. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA
The interest in the fight may not have been as high as his previous fight, but the outcome was enough to convince boxing fans that Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao should not hang up his gloves – not yet.
Pacquiao scored two knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision win over American Timothy Bradley in their third encounter last Saturday (Sunday Manila time) at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Unlike Pacquiao’s previous fight against Floyd Mayweather, where there was hardly any vehicle on the streets of Cebu City, the Pacquiao-Bradley fight only managed to reduce traffic volume in the city’s thoroughfares by 50 percent, said Cebu City Transportation Office operations chief Joy Tumulak.
Still, the fight gained some following, especially since it was said to be Pacquiao’s last fight.
Will it really be his last?
Businessman Gilbert Camile from Barangay Labangon said Pacquiao showed that he is still in top form when he knocked down Timothy Bradley twice and eventually won the fight.
“It was a very spectacular fight. Manny should not retire yet,” Camile, 34, said.
Couple Alphonse and Yvette Yap also asked Pacquiao not to disappoint his fans who still want him to fight in the ring.
“His speed is still there,” said Alphonse, a 46-year-old nurse.
Yvette, a former human resource manager of the Talisay City government, said Pacquiao remains a strong fighter and should not yet end his boxing career.
Local sports personalities also believe the 37-year-old Pacquiao has more to offer.
Board Member Raul Alcoseba, coach of the Southwestern University Cobras, said Pacquiao should not retire just yet.
“One more fight,” he said.
For Cebu City Sports Commission head Edward Hayco, Pacquiao fought Bradley like he was only 30 years old, which means he can still go on.
He expects Pacquiao to fight two to three more times before he will finally leave the boxing arena.
“He is still at the peak of his career. For someone who loves to fight, you don’t exit when your career is still peaking,” he said.
Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama thought Pacquiao’s performance proved he shouldn’t retire.
“I am convinced that he will continue [fighting],” he said.
This is the same sentiment shared by Lorenzo “Chao” Sy.
“For me, Manny is still good for two fights,” he said.
Bantayan Vice Mayor Chad Cañares was also impressed with Pacquiao’s performance.
“His performance was expected from a veteran fighter. He was not as quick and agile as before but he put up a great fight,” said Cañares, who is also the vice president of the IPI Pro-Sports International.
Not only sports fans and sports officials think the eight-division champion Pacquiao still has a lot left in his tank.
Even his opponent thinks it would be a shame if Pacquiao hung up his gloves after his most creditable performance in years.
“No, Manny Pacquiao shouldn’t retire,” Bradley told journalists at the post-fight press conference at MGM Grand. “I did everything I can to get him to come to me. Jab, get out, jab, get out but he was just smart tonight. He was just super smart. He knew where I was going to be at.”
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach was so impressed with Pacquiao’s performance that he also expressed hope that his most famous ward would change his mind.
“It’s a difficult sport to quit. It’s not easy to retire. He hasn’t realized it yet but he’s going to find out.”
But ALA Promotions International President Michael Aldeguer said that Manny’s win over Bradley would be one way to end a great career in boxing.
“There’s nothing more for Manny to prove. His legacy is here to stay forever,” Aldeguer said.