Manny Pacquiao launches his 2022 presidential bid in Philppines

By Boxing News - 09/19/2021 - Comments

By Huck Allen: In what suggests that Manny Pacquiao’s boxing career is over with, the 42-year-old Filipino star has reportedly launched his presidential bid in 2022 in the Philippines.

If the former eight-division world champion Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) successfully wins the presidential position, his career as a boxer will end.

There’s no chance that Pacquiao would put himself in a position to be criticized by continuing his boxing career should he win the presidential seat in the Philippines.

Pacquiao recently lost to Yordenis Ugas by a 12 round unanimous decision on August 21st in Las Vegas.

Although the fight was competitive, Pacquiao didn’t look like the fighter that once was, and Ugas could take advantage of his lack of mobility. The scores were 115-113, 116-112, and 116-112.

Pacquiao didn’t take the loss well, as he blamed the defeat on him having leg cramps, and he remarked that Ugas would have been one of his “easiest’ career opponents.

Immediate rematch not possible for Pacquiao

The chances of a rematch between Manny and Ugas went down tubes this week, with the World Boxing Association ordering a four-fighter 147-lb box off. They’ve ordered Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) to defend his WBA title against the #1 contender Eimantas Stanionis next.

This is a move the WBA has chosen to reduce the number of world champions their organization has at 147. The WBA has two welterweight champions in Yordenis Ugas [Super World] and Jamal James [World].

Also, as part of the four-fighter box-off, the WBA ordered the ‘Regular’ champion Jamal James to defend against #5 Radzhab Butaev. The Ugas vs. Stanionis and James vs. Butaev fights winners will meet in March 2022 to decide the overall WBA welterweight champion.

Image: Manny Pacquiao launches his 2022 presidential bid in Philppines

The Filipino star then hinted about a possible rematch with Ugas to try and avenge the loss, but that no longer seems likely now.

Pacquiao knew that he wouldn’t have much time to do a rematch with Ugas, as the election in the Philippines is in March 2022.

Given the lack of time for Pacquiao, it wouldn’t be possible for him to squeeze in a risky rematch with WBA ‘Super World’ welterweight champion Ugas. Another defeat for Pacquiao to Ugas could potentially harm his presidential bid.

Most boxing fans would agree that Pacquiao has done enough with his career, and he no longer needs to prove himself. If he can become the Philippines president, that’s more important than returning to the ring.

Should Pacquiao lose his presidential bid in early 2022, he can always resume his boxing career if he feels he needs to. It might be better for Manny to retire rather than come back for a rematch with Ugas.

Their fight didn’t bring in a lot of pay-per-view buys last August, and it might not be worth it for Pacquiao to attempt to avenge the defeat.