Why Pacquiao could not just retire so easily

Which one of the following is closest to Manny Pacquiao’s heart—politics, religion, basketball, singing or, yes, boxing?

There is no doubt he loves them all.

That is why he ran for congressman. He lost. He tried again—and won.

That is why he ran for senator and was successful in his first try.

That is why it is much-ballyhooed he would run for President in 2022.

After leaving the Catholic faith and discarding the holy rosary that is seen slung around his neck every time he climbed the ring, his switch to the “Born Again” religion has made him a pastor almost overnight. He now spends much of his time bible-reading at night, preaching and attending Sunday ministry work.

When not boxing, he plays basketball. He loves the game so much that he has acceded to becoming the player- coach of Kia, the car company now playing in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association).

He loves singing that much, he is almost enamored to the microphone, that he has even recorded some of his favorite songs, including Dan Hill’s blockbuster “Sometimes When We Touch.” And, oh yes, boxing. He loves pugilism “more than my life” that he can’t just say goodbye to it—even when signs of wobbly knees have started to creep in.

It showed in his last fight against Jeff Horn on July 2, almost eight months to the day when he last fought—on November 6, 2016 against Jessie Vargas. The Vargas bout was his first fight since he won as senator in May 2016.

But while Pacquiao showed some flashes of his old deadly self against Vargas—footwork and hand speed seemingly still there—not in the Horn fight.

He appeared a bit slow, if not unable, to extricate himself out thoroughly from the crowding, swarming and, at times, illegal holding tactics of the Aussie.

After his defeat was announced— controversial as it may seem—not a few pundits quickly said it’s time for Pacquiao to call it a day.

There were “rejectionists,” who were immediately up in arms. But, of course. They were mostly from Pacquiao’s entourage, including the hangers-on—which are aplenty—who will be displaced outright with a Pacquiao retirement.

It is because of them mainly that is why Pacquiao just could not retire. Ouch!

But while Pacquiao showed some flashes of his old deadly self against Vargas— footwork and hand speed seemingly still there—not in the Horn fight.