Pacquiao: Will he fight again or retire?

MANILA – Despite pronouncements to the contrary, the sports community is abuzz with talks that world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao may hang his gloves this year and no longer fight.
The talks is even fuelled by boxing promoter Bob Arum’s statement hinting frustration over Manny Pacquiao’s move to withhold his decision on his fight.
Week after week, the Top Rank executive has promised they will make an official announcement naming Pacquiao’s next foe.
But almost a month has passed and there’s no word yet about the Filipino’s opponent, according to an ABS-CBN report.
“I have no idea. I don’t understand what’s going on,” the network quoted Arum telling Boxing Scene.
Pacquiao was supposed to choose between rematch fights against Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez and American Timothy Bradley.
The Filipino boxing champion’s ring return is scheduled on December 8 either in Las Vegas or in Mexico if he decides finally to fight Marquez in their fourth duel.
It was gathered that Pacquiao may forego with the December 8 fight to prepare for a more lucrative and the much awaited duel with American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
It was earlier bruited about that Pacquiao may get $50 million for the fight against Mayweather, the biggest prize in his boxing career. Mayweather was also promised the same prize purse.
 Pacquiao’s legal counsel Jeng Gacal, however, said he thinks the Filipino boxer will climb the ring late this year, according to ABS-CBN.
“I think he will definitely fight on December 8 and he is deciding on whether it is Bradley or Marquez,” said Gacal.
Earlier, Pacquiao himself said he is still mulling over who to fight next.
“Hindi pa sigurado, maaaring [Timothy] Bradley or [Juan Manuel] Marquez,” the fighting congressman told Boy Abunda on Friday’s “Bandila.”
“Pag-uusapan pa namin ni Bob Arum.”
The Top Rank executive earlier said in 8 Count News that the Filipino boxer has already made a decision.
Arum also promised to reveal the name of Pacquiao’s next foe through a formal announcement.
Pacquiao is apparently holding off his decision in consideration of the possible super fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Marquez is an attractive option for Pacquiao as their third fight in November garnered over 1.4 million pay-per-view buys.
However, the Mexican boxer is a tough fight. A loss to Marquez could affect Pacquiao’s negotiations with Mayweather.
Bradley, on the other hand, is an easier opponent for the Filipino boxer.
The downside on Bradley is that their June fight only garnered 900,000 pay-per-view buys.