Pacquiao wants to pass the torch before retiring
Posted at 09/13/2011 5:33 PM
Posted at 09/13/2011 5:33 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing icon and pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao has announced that he is already thinking of hanging up his boxing gloves, perhaps as soon as 2013.
But the 8-division world champion first wants to find a young boxer who can carry the torch once he retires.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Pacquiao said that he can announce his retirement anytime.
"No problem to me if I'm gonna retire. The problem is, who else can be Manny Pacquiao?"" he said.
Pacquiao is one of the few boxers who enjoys global popularity, and his last few pay-per-view fights have all generated over 1-million buys.
"You know we love boxing, and I love boxing. When the time comes that I retire, I want somebody holding the torch for boxing, to continue the boxing career after me," Pacquiao said.
He adds that it doesn't matter if the boxer is not a Filipino.
"It doesn't matter as long as there is one fighter, one boxer who can be idolized by all the fans," Pacquiao said.
One boxer who may have the potential to carry on the torch is the 24-year-old WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, who will face Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 17 in Las Vegas.
"Ortiz, he has big potential. He's strong enough, he has a style in boxing. What he needs is focus on his speed, develop his speed," Pacquiao said.
But the 8-division world champion first wants to find a young boxer who can carry the torch once he retires.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Pacquiao said that he can announce his retirement anytime.
"No problem to me if I'm gonna retire. The problem is, who else can be Manny Pacquiao?"" he said.
Pacquiao is one of the few boxers who enjoys global popularity, and his last few pay-per-view fights have all generated over 1-million buys.
"You know we love boxing, and I love boxing. When the time comes that I retire, I want somebody holding the torch for boxing, to continue the boxing career after me," Pacquiao said.
He adds that it doesn't matter if the boxer is not a Filipino.
"It doesn't matter as long as there is one fighter, one boxer who can be idolized by all the fans," Pacquiao said.
One boxer who may have the potential to carry on the torch is the 24-year-old WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, who will face Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 17 in Las Vegas.
"Ortiz, he has big potential. He's strong enough, he has a style in boxing. What he needs is focus on his speed, develop his speed," Pacquiao said.
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