Sen. Manny Pacquiao did not give a definite answer when asked if his upcoming clash with Errol Spence, Jr. will be his last.
“It’s hard to say right now,” the 42-year-old told Radyo5’s Power and Play with former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala, Saturday.
“It could be, or there’s more after this. But one at a time lang muna tayo ngayon. Hindi natin masasabi. Pwedeng ito, pwedeng meron pa.”
For now, what Pacquiao is only thinking of is August 21, where he will try take the unbeaten American’s unified WBC and IBF welterweight belts.
Spence, Jr., who carries an immaculate 27-0 record that includes 21 knockout victories, first won the IBF title at the expense of Kell Brook in 2017 before adding the WBC strap two years later by defeating Shawn Porter.
The only eight-division world champion is set to leave for the United States on July 3, but he has already shifted his training into higher gear.
In fact, he has already begun adjusting to the US’ time zone while being here so that he won’t have to adjust much once he gets there.
“Sa ngayon, ang training ko, naga-adjust na ako. Actually paggising ko kaninang mga 9 o’clock — 9 o’clock ng gabi ako gumising tapos nag-jogging ako. 9 o’clock, 6 0’clock sa US,” he said as he shared how his routine has been.
“So nag-jogging ako kanina, and then after jogging kain ako, tapos mamayang alas singko, alas-sais, punta ako sa gym magte-training din. So, naga-adjust na ako rito para pagdating ko sa Amerika, hindi na ako mahihirapan.”
Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) last fought in 2019, or since scoring a split decision win over Keith Thurman for the WBA super welterweight belt.
The all-time great knows that he will be in for a challenge against the 31-year-old from Long Island, and that is why he is working on his stamina in particular since he expects their bout to go the full route.
“Kailangan lang dito talaga, stamina at malakas yung katawan mo. Kasi itong fight na to, you have to expect more action in the ring compared to my last three fights,” offered the 12-time world champion.
“Maraming aksyon na magaganap sa taas ng ring so I have to make sure that our stamina is enough, na hindi tayo kapusin doon sa taas ng ring, ‘yung twelve rounds na yun.”
