GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines - Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao hinted he has several more fights left in him after his promoter said he will likely retire next year.
Pacquiao played down recent remarks by Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who stated that he felt his boxer would fight just once more in 2016 before hanging up his gloves to run for Senate.
Pacquiao has been in out of the ring since losing a twelve round unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2nd. He suffered a right shoulder injury during the fight and his return is not expected until the early part of next year.
"I know better what is happening to my body," Pacquiao defiantly said late Saturday, reacting to Arum’s statement when approached by reporters. "Just leave it alone. Better not to react to that."
Arum was quoted on Thursday as saying that the 36-year-old Pacquiao wants to get on with his political career and run for the Senate in the Philippines.
"I believe he’ll take one more fight, then run for the Senate in the Philippines," Arum said.
Pacquiao has previously parlayed his boxing fame into a career in showbiz and election as a congressman.
He declined to say whether he will run for higher office in the 2016 national elections but has previously said he expects to fight again in April against an unnamed opponent.