KEY POINTS

  • Manny Pacquiao feels that the two-year layoff has allowed him to recharge
  • Pacquiao will decide on his future after the Errol Spence fight this month
  • Pacquiao could follow the footsteps of Bernard Hopkins

For someone who wants to fight as much as he can, it comes as no surprise that Manny Pacquiao deserves a break.

While most dread the coronavirus for forcing people to stay at home, the respite may have been what the eight-division champion needed.

Already 42 years old, most know that Pacquiao will need all the rest he can get to allow his mind and body to heal.

It appears that is the case with the boxing legends feeling invigorated, heading into his next big fight against the undefeated Errol Spence Jr. on Aug. 21.

"It has been two years since I've been in the ring and it was good for me to have that rest," Pacquiao stated in a report from AFP via Yahoo Sports. "I never imagined being at this point now when I started my career. To be here now and still fighting the best, it's truly a gift that I've received."

Pacquiao is an underdog heading into his fight with Spence. He is given a 35.7% chance to prevail over “The Truth” by oddschecker.

Spence, on the other hand, has been given a 66.7% chance of winning over the "Pac-Man."

But whatever happens, boxing pundits are more interested to know what Pacquiao has planned next.

Some say that this could be his last fight, while others feel he should fight on.

Age is a concern, but some people feel that Pacquiao can fight on if he wants to. Some singled out the run of Bernard Hopkins, someone who fought until he was 51.

“How old was Bernard Hopkins? He fought at 51. He was dominating. We were trained to think that like after 25 it’s a little bit downhill,” Cam F. Awesome stated on the Sports For All PH podcast.

“We have science. And if you have the resources to take care of yourself? Manny Pacquiao is not 42. He might be 42-years-old. Remember what 42-year-old’s look like? They don’t look like that anymore."

Some people feel that Pacquiao is way better than Hopkins. One of them is BRAVE CF middleweight champion Mohammad Fakhreddine when he appeared on the Sports Bytes PH podcast hosted by Brian Yalung and Rica Aquino.

“Manny is a different animal. I love that guy,” the 37-year-old said.

For now, Pacquiao says his mind is focused on the looming showdown with fellow southpaw Errol Spence, the 31-year-old unbeaten unified welterweight world champion
For now, Pacquiao says his mind is focused on the looming showdown with fellow southpaw Errol Spence, the 31-year-old unbeaten unified welterweight world champion AFP / TED ALJIBE

When asked to weigh in on the Pacquiao vs. Spence fight, the Lebanese mixed martial artist feels it will be a tough fight. For him, it will all boil down to a decision.

“It’s going to be a tough fight, but I’m going with Pacquiao all the way,” Fakhreddine predicted “I think it's going to be a decision."

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