Retirement beckons for Pacquiao, says Roach

It only took one serious conversation in training camp for Freddie Roach to be convinced that boxing may be coming to an end for Manny Pacquiao. Roach recalled a moment during the early part of their preparation for the Filipino southpaw’s November 13 title showdown with Mexican Antonio Margarito. And with all seriousness, the 50-year-old Roach acknowledged that possible retirement beckons for the seven-time world division boxing champion. “After the first couple of days of training, Manny came up to me and said: ‘I miss my job.’ And I said: ‘You’re at your job,’ and he said ‘No, I miss Congress.’" The famed four-time Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Trainer of the Year said Pacquiao’s job as representative of the lone district of the province of Sarangani definitely has a lot to do with an imminent full shift in career. “We are going to lose Manny Pacquiao to politics, for sure," Roach said in an interview by BBC World Service. Roach's revelation came as Pacquiao’s entourage was set to depart for the U.S. late Saturday night for the remaining two weeks of training before the battle with Margarito at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The 31-year-old boxing champion sparred for the last time at the Elorde Gym in Quezon City Saturday afternoon, going 10 rounds against sparring partners Amir Khan, the world light-welterweight champion, Michael Medina and Glen Tapia.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV And unlike in the past, Roach admitted Pacquiao has been training with less passion this time. “He’s getting better and better every day, but it’s coming a lot slower than usual," he said. “Usually, Manny has his first sparring session and could fight 12 rounds the next day. I can’t say that at this point in the camp." And for the first time, Roach confessed to the popular British broadcasting company that they’re cramming in training camp now. “We’re fighting against a big, strong guy who’s going to be in great shape and we’re a little behind schedule which is very unusual," he said. “I’m not sure if it’s the size of the sparring partners that’s giving him trouble or he’s just not himself yet." Although Roach didn’t cite specific reasons, Pacquiao’s dalliance with basketball at night made him miss several morning workouts during their four-week stay in the high-altitude training camp in Baguio. Pacquiao also traveled back to Manila twice during weekends to honor previous commitments he made as part of his job as Sarangani congressman. Still, Roach remains optimistic things will turn out for the better once the group settles down in the U.S. and Pacquiao resumes training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. “But we do have two hard weeks of sparring coming up before we start tapering off and slowing down and saving it for the fight," said Roach. Roach’s statement may have also put the final nail in the coffin of a highly anticipated mega-showdown with unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV