Manny's Money.

Time to retire, Mr. Pacquiao?

 I was having beer and some awesome pulutan while I watched the Pacquiao-Bradley fight yesterday, so the shocking announcement that Pacquiao lost the welterweight title to Bradley narrowly sunk in my woozy head and sated stomach.


All I remember was shouting for Manny to knock out Timothy, and feeling confident that Pacquiao was winning.

It's all over now, and it's all over the world that Manny Pacquiao was robbed of the title; that he actually won the match, and that only the two other judges saw Bradley won it while the rest of the boxing world saw it otherwise.

There are many theories floating around why the split decision tilted towards Bradley, (heavy Vegas betting favoured a Bradley win so the mob could win big money, Vegas would win if Bradley won so a rematch could be held to bring in more money to Vegas and to Arum's Pay per view),  but one stood out: Trainer Roach's statement that he didn't know if the Pacquiao-Marquez decision had anything to do with the Pacquiao-Bradley decision. A punishment, or a market correction, perhaps?

Anyway I look at it, Manny Pacquiao clearly won the game yesterday.

If I were a Team Pacquiao member, I'd whisper to the Idol to hang his gloves now. This is the best time for him to do it. Why?

He's still on top of boxing world, on top of the world.  Manny's fans are not just the Filipino people. He is adored and admired by many nationals all over the globe.  Even Jimmy Kimmel loves him.  If he were to retire now, he'd be remembered as a great fighter like Muhammad Ali was.

Manny has enough money already.  If he retires, he can concentrate on getting a money manager who can take care of his money wisely. No more giving it away as if there was no tomorrow.

Manny has political ambitions so if he retires now, he can focus on being a representative of the people of Sarangani.  I assume he will run for higher public offices in the future, so the better that he prepare early like studying for law as he announced before.

He has showbiz ambitions; in fact, he's due to make a Hollywood film.  His local showbiz career is questionable, though, and he should give it up.  Instead he can do sports documentaries or strengthen a sports foundation which helps poor athletes.

He has his religion to fall back onto, too.  Manny's recent bible packing can aid him well in his future undertakings.  The Filipino people are suckers for do-good men.

Manny Pacquiao knows how to play his games..well.  He was a poor boy of Sarangani who toiled to train for boxing.  He got what he wanted, and more.

If he hangs his gloves now, his countrymen will be spared of future angst whenever he enters the boxing ring to fight.  Anyway, they will continue to love and respect him the way they loved Gabriel "Flash" Elorde.

I say no rematch with Bradley, no more fights.