Manny Pacquiao is still on the fence about fighting.
The 46-year-old eight-division champion retired in 2021 but has entertained a series of offers ever since to grace the ring again.
Pacquiao was working toward a fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios throughout 2024 that never materialized. He kept busy with an exhibition match against Rukiya Anpo in July while Barrios moved on to take on Abel Ramos in November, which resulted in a split draw.
Pacquiao has since reshifted his focus from pugilism to politics as he prepares for a potential seat in the Philippines Senate. Elections are set to take place on May 12.
Sean Gibbons, Pacquiao’s advisor and head of his promotional company, told The Ring on Thursday that the Filipino icon will reassess his fighting career and available options soon after the votes are tallied.
“After the May 12 election, God willing, if Manny becomes a Senator for a second term, he will decide if he wants to box again,” Gibbons told The Ring. “I wish there was more, but Manny is in a very tight race and the last thing he has on his mind right now is boxing.”
Gibbons said last year that the bout with Barrios was a “very winnable fight” and a “perfect fight to make” for Pacquiao, adding that “Manny could be fighting until he's 50.” Team Pacquiao was operating with a deadline of January 31 to stage a fight so that Pacquiao could focus on his run for the Senate thereafter.
Pacquiao hasn’t fought professionally since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.
Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June.
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X/Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.