Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach says the Filipino boxing legend will have two more fights before turning his attention to a full-time career in politics.
Eight-division king Pacquiao, 42, faces unbeaten WBC and IBF 147lbs champion Errol Spence at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on August 21 in a fascinating clash that Roach believes features the two best welterweights on the planet.
Should Pacquiao dethrone Spence, Roach says his fighter could have one final bout as President of the Philippines. The ‘Pac-Man’ currently serves as a senator in his native land, but is expected to run for the presidency in due course.
“[Manny] is proud to have chosen Errol Spence as his opponent. He always told me he wanted to face the best. This time he chose the right guy,” Roach told Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald.
“Spence is a tough guy. It will be a very tactical fight. We have to be very smart, but we have done some great sparring sessions. Manny is in tremendous shape. We still have about four weeks left for the fight. I want the fight to be now. They’re the top two in the division. Beating Spence would be a big thing for Manny, who is well-liked in his country. He wants to be president and beating Spence would help him with that.
“I think Manny has two fights left. I would like to see him defend his title when he becomes president of the Philippines. He knows I’m not a politician, but he would be a good president in his country. He likes to help people. He does so much for the people there, he builds houses with his own money.”
Main image: MP Promotions.