Macalintal: ‘I don’t think Pacquiao will retire... just yet’
Don’t be surprised if you saw election lawyer and broadcaster Romy Macalintal in the ring before the Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley III fight together with other supporters of Pacquiao last April 9 (Las Vegas date). As we already know, Pacquiao made an impressive victory when he knocked down Bradley twice, in the seventh and ninth rounds, and won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) International Welterweight Champion of the World.
Aside from being the poll lawyer of Pacquiao, Romy is an authentic boxing aficionado dating back in the ’60s when Muhammad Ali was still known as Cassius Clay and being the only one in the world who had two hours with Ali inside his hotel suite during the 1975 Thrilla in Manila with only his scrapbook containing Ali’s fights in the ’60s as his passport.
In an exclusive statement for Funfare, Romy said that “this time Manny gave me the distinct credential and privilege of being in the ring before he retires
from boxing knowing fully well how much I admire and support boxing, aside from the fact that I keep a file of several front-page news clips of his fights which he autographed and would be part of Manny’s exhibits once he finally hangs up his gloves.
“Having a personal and professional acquaintance with an authentic boxing hero with unprecedented and incomparable record of having won eight world division titles will never happen again in my lifetime, so I am making the most of it while I am still strong. It is indeed a blessing to have all these privileges, as I recall how I had a similar unforgettable experience of getting connected with Muhammad Ali.”
Romy e-mailed some photographs he had to document another historical boxing event of his life in the Pacquiao vs Bradley 3 fight which he wants to share with Funfare’s readers.
While Manny said he would already retire from boxing, Romy believes otherwise.
“I foresee Manny climbing up the ring for two more fights before he finally quits professional boxing. He is still in his fighting form with his speed and powerful punches which he astoundingly demonstrated during his said bout with Bradley reminiscent of his glorious and highly celebrated fights in the past.”