Manny Pacquiao knocks out retirement thoughts

Welterweight champion decides to carry on fighting next year

TOKYO: Filipino boxer and senator Manny Pacquiao said he would carry on fighting next year after unveiling a new boxing gym in downtown Tokyo on Friday.

The 37-year-old southpaw returned to the ring after a seven-month retirement to claim the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title by beating Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas earlier this month.

“I think about it, I can still fight and my body is still okay, so I decided to come back and I'm here, my journey is continued,” said Pacquiao.



The southpaw has a 59-6-2 win-loss-draw record and is the winner of world titles in eight different weight divisions and the first sitting Senator to win a world boxing title.

The new 'Pacquiao Gym', a collaboration with Japanese businessman Yoshihiro Agata, will open in the new year and the Filipino said it was an opportunity to pass on his experience.

“(I opened this gym) to help the people to do exercise and also...to discover a good boxer,” he said. “I can share my knowledge about boxing and my talents. I can teach them.”



Rematch with Mayweather 'possible'

Pacquiao kept alive hopes for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, saying the epic clash was "possible" but only if his arch rival returns to the ring.

"If he will come back in boxing, a rematch is possible,” he said. “But right now we don't talk or discuss about it."

Asked if he is confident about winning a rematch, Pacquiao said only: "Yes, of course."