Manny Pacquiao insists he has no plans to retire even if he is beaten by Brandon Rios later this month.
The Filipino star has suffered two successive defeats ahead of his showdown with Rios and it has been suggested Pacquiao will call time on his career if he loses a third in a row, but the former pound-for-pound king isn’t planning on hanging his gloves up just yet.
“It’s one of the most important fights of my career because I want to show my fans and the world I can still compete at a high level,” said Pacquiao.
“I expect to win this fight. It’s a really important fight for me because I lost the last two.”
“Boxing is in my blood. I enjoy it and I like to entertain my fans worldwide,” he added.
Pacquiao and Rios go head to head at the Venetian casino resort in Macau later this month in what could well be seen as a make or break fight for the 34-year-old former eight weight world champion.
The ‘Pacman’ suffered a controversial split decision loss to American Tim Bradley in June 2012 as his 15-fight winning streak came to an abrupt end.
Many felt Pacquiao deserved to win his meeting with Bradley, having seemingly landed more punches and taken much less punishment, but there was no disputing his defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez in his following fight.
Marquez secured a sensational sixth-round knock-out victory over Pacquiao, and the Filipino sensation will be desperate to get back to winning ways against 27-year-old Rios to ensure he remains at the top level of boxing.
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