By Michael Marley
LOS ANGELES--If you're buying this “last chance to see Manny Pacquiao” pitch as to the Nov. 13 bout against Antonio Margarito then you're the greater fool that the pitchmen are targeting.
They will do anything, by necessity, to get you to pay your way into Jerry Jones humungous tent in Arlington, Texas, or to click your clicker to buy the PPV telecast.
Common sense, a phrase Pacman seems to use often now, tells us that no athlete who is about to turn age 32 quits his sport for good when he is at the top of the heap, artistically and financially.
Not when he's guaranteed about $12 million per fight even against a pedestrian opponent such as the morally challenged Margarito.
Not when he has not reached his boxing zenith.
And now when he would have to leave $50 million or so on the table for one night's work if he does not fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. next May.
I know I've called this one wrong three times already but Pacquiao, after beating Magarito by a convincing if not awe inspiring decision at Cowboys Stadium, is not going to retire from the ring, not even temporarily.
Sure, his children's children's children, not yet born, are financially set but what makes Pacquaio unusual is how fights for national glory far beyond his personal enrichment and gratification.
The way I see it now there are about six Pacquiao bouts left in his career or five after he disposes of the Mexican.
Mayweather-Pacman will happen in 2011 and they'll make so much money there will be a rematch.
Win, lose or draw after those May and November titanics, Pacquiao will fight onward as long as those huge guarantees are in his face and on his plate and he's not taken a beating from anyone.
So look for two bouts in 2012 and then the curtain closer, the fistic finale, happening in 2013.
Somewhere along the way, maybe even before a first Mayweatgher fight, he will take on Sugar Shane Mosley also.
And, by then, with Pacquiao a ripe, old 34 and looking at the ancient age of 35, he will hang up the gloves.
The only other quitting early scenario I can see is if Pacquiao feels he got cheated of a decision against Mayweather or anyone else and leaves the game bitterly like Marvelous Marvin Hagler did in the wake of losing on points to Sugar Ray Leonard.
What's the word in Pacland?
Will Pacquiao keep multitasking or will he drop the gloves without grabbing that record payday(s) against Mayweather?
I say Money Pacquiao keeps chugging along.