Aquino to Pacquiao: Hang up gloves after Mayweather fight.. READ HERE

'He is entitled, after all of his sacrifices and the example that he's made, to be able to enjoy the fruits of all of his hardwork and labor,' says the President


  
EIGHT-DIVISION WORLD CHAMP. Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao. File 

 

MANILA, Philippines – If it were up to President Benigno Aquino III, he would like Manny Pacquiao to retire and "enjoy the fruits of his hardwork" after his mega-fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr on Saturday, May 2 (Sunday, May 3 in Manila).

"Hindi naman niya hinihingi ‘yung payo ko, pero sa akin, sa isang Pilipinong humanga, humahanga kay Manny Pacquiao, marami ka nang nagawa. Siguro naman dapat ulitin ko ‘yung paalala ko na huwag mo nang pasukan ‘yung unnecessary risks, kung puwede," Aquino told the media at the sidelines of the 26th ASEAN Summit in Langkawi, Malaysia.

(He may not be asking for my advice, but for me, a Filipino who admires Manny Pacquiao, he has done a lot already. Maybe I would reiterate my reminder that he should refrain from getting into unnecessary risks as much as possible.)

While expressing confidence that the eight-division world champion "will do our countrymen proud as he has always done," the President aired concerns about his health and future after his historic bout versus Mayweather at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

"I go back to my perpetual message: his continued fighting in the ring does not promote good health. He has done so much already for our country and, parang tayo naman, siguro dapat may malasakit din tayo sa kanya (maybe we Filipinos should also care about his well-being)," he said.

Referring to Pacquiao, Aquino continued, "May naipon ka na, may naitabi ka na; ma-enjoy mo naman sana ‘yon, ma-enjoy ng pamilya mo ‘yon, ma-enjoy niyo ang isa’t isa." (You have saved money already; I hope you and your family could enjoy that, you could enjoy the company of each other.)

Nevertheless, Aquino believes that the upcoming fight could become Pacquiao's "crowning glory."

"Tapos, pagkatapos ‘non, ‘yung batang anak niya makasigurado na nandiyan na ang tatay ko. ‘Yung asawa niya, mga nagmamahal sa kanya masabing matagal pa tayong magsasama," he said.

(Then, after [the fight], his children could be assured that their father would be there. His wife and relatives who love him could say they would enjoy many more years with him.)

"He is entitled, after all of his sacrifices and the example that he’s made, to be able to enjoy the fruits of all of his hardwork and labor," Aquino said.

Pacquiao in February had hinted at retirement, but no further details were given. Meanwhile, his mother Dionesia had urged him to retire as early as 2012, after Pacquiao's heartbreaking loss to Juan Manuel Marquez.

But his adviser Michael Koncz disclosed in an interview on April 16 that Pacquiaoplans to continue his illustrious boxing career, regardless of the outcome of the 12-round welterweight title unification match versus Mayweather.

“We had brief discussions about that. I believe he will [fight again]. But how long, I don’t know. I want to see him fight possibly once or twice before calling it quits,” Koncz said. – Michael Bueza/Rappler.com

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