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Pacquiao at an open training session in LA this week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Seconds out

Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao might retire after his title defense on Saturday

Could this be the end for Pac Man?

JUST A FEW days before Manny Pacquiao puts his WBO welterweight title on the line against Timothy Bradley, his trainer has said that if Pacquiao loses — or even looks bad — he might give up boxing for good.

Manny Pacquiao has been regarded by many as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world over the last five years, but the Filipino was disappointing in his last outing. This is what Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach told reporters, according to ESPN.co.uk.

“If he looks bad, he retires. At least I’ll tell him to. And he may be the first one who will listen to me.”

Pacquiao last fought in November of 2011, and barely won a majority-decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. Two official scorers gave Pacquiao a victory, but the other scored the bout a draw.

Fans in attendance thought Marquez was the clear winner, however, and threw trash at the ring when the decision was announced. Bradley will be moving up a weight class from light welterweight to welterweight to face Pacquiao. Though Bradley is a half-inch shorter, he has a two-inch reach advantage and boasts an undefeated record.

Bradley has vowed to fight it out with Pacquiao and give the fans a show.

“He couldn’t stop a 38-year-old Marquez, so he’s definitely not going to stop a 28-year-old like myself.”

In an HBO special interview between the two fighters, though, Pacquiao had some ominous words for Bradley. When asked what his final message was to the young fighter, this is what Manny had to say: ”I’ll pray for you. God bless you.”

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