By Steve Kim
It was widely believed that 2017 would be Manny Pacquiao's last year as a professional boxer. The Filipino superstar began his career in 1995 and became an international icon as he racked up a record of 59-6-2 (38 KO's), winning titles in eight divisions.
Pacquiao, who lost fought on November 5th when he outpointed Jessie Vargas for the WBO welterweight belt, is now 38 years old.
He actually announced his retirement last April after defeating Timothy Bradley in their trilogy bout, but his farewell from boxing only lasted a few short months before he announced his comeback to face Vargas.
Currently, his next fight could be against Australian Olympian Jeff Horn on April 22, as part of a proposed world tour for Pacquiao. And according to Arum, his career could extend past 2017.
"Well, if this whole world tour thing works out and if he feels up to it, why wouldn't he want to keep going for another year or so?" stated Arum, who has experience on such promotions.
"I mean we had so much fun with (Muhammad) Ali years ago, going to all of those places, whether it was Japan, or Indonesia, or Dublin... if I could replicate the same thing with Manny - why wouldn't I do it?"
Arum believes such a foray around the globe will aid Pacquiao - currently a senator in his home country - with his political ambitions.
"I mean, Manny is different from an ordinary fighter because he has a goal and aspirations after he stops fighting and the fact that he would have fought in various countries would hold his country, the Philippines, in good stead, if he indeed ever became the president of the Philippines. Which is something that he obviously hopes to do,"said Arum.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.