By Ed Diokno
Manny Pacquiao left no doubt in the third and tie-breaking fight with Timothy Bradley Jr. The Filipino boxer won a unanimous decision in his fight last night in Las Vegas, 116-110 by all three judges.
Even though Pacquiao announced that this would be his last fight, his performance was so dominant that some questioned if it would truly be the last time we see him in the ring.
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Paquiao, 37, said he wanted to quit to concentrate on his political career. He is in his second term as a congressman but is campaigning for a seat in the Senate.
“Yes, as of now I am retired,” Pacquiao said. “I am going to go home and think about it, but I want to be with my family. I want to serve the people (of the Philippines).”
If, indeed, it is his last fight, Pacquiao went out with a bang, twice knocking down the younger Bradley. He was in control for most of the fight.
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Pacquiao, a sure bet to be installed in boxing’s Hall of Fame, made $20 million for the 12 rounds with Bradley so he won’t be hurting in his retirement.
In his prime, Pacquiao, was the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, winning crowns in eight different weight categories.
The long anticipated match between Pacquiao and rival Floyd Mayweather, 40, last year saw two fighters past their prime fight for the biggest purse in boxing history. The fight was marred because Pacquiao injured his shoulder before the fight and raised the question if there would be a rematch. Mayweather retired last September.
Despite his star getting tarnished for his controversial remarks about the LGBTQ community, Pacquiao’s popularity in the Philippines is on par to a national folk hero. He remains ahead in the polls in his campaign to become a Philippine senator.
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(Ed Diokno writes a blog :Views From The Edge: news and analysis from an Asian American perspective.)
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By Ed Diokno