Honorable Senator Manny Pacquiao vehemently denied any talks of his potential in-ring return later this year early Wednesday morning.
Reports circulated Tuesday afternoon that Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38KO) was willing to take a leave of absence from his legislative duties in the upper chamber of the Republic of the Philippines to make way for his return to the squared circle, rumored to occur this October in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. To add fuel to the speculation, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum had already reserved a place and date for Pacquiao’s return last week.
The 37-year-old legislator, however, quashed all rumors in a statement released by his office.
“There is no truth to media reports saying that I’m planning to take a leave from my Senate duties just to fight again atop the ring,” the statement read.”
“My next fight has not yet been discussed. Should there be any, I will make sure that it will not interfere with my Senate duties.”
Moreover, Pacquiao stressed that it is his duty to the people as an elected public servant to prioritize his new track over his past endeavor.
“I want to make it clear – my priority is my legislative work.”
“When I ran for senator last May 9, I made a promise to be present in all sessions. I owe it to the people.”
However, boxing’s only eight-division world champion did not completely close his doors on a potential return.
“If ever I decide to fight again, rest assured, it will happen when Congress is on recess so there’s no need for me to go on leave,” Pacquiao furthered in his statement.
“Boxing for me is my only means of livelihood. Politics to me is a vocation, not a means to eke out a living.”
Pacquiao last fought a month prior to the 2016 Philippine elections — April 9, 2016 to be exact — against Timothy Bradley Jr. The Fighting Pride of the Philippines soundly defeated the American via a unanimous decision.
A year later, the former congressman of Sarangani Province was elected as senator, gathering 16,050,546 votes – good for seventh.
