Philippine boxing hero Manny Pacquiao plans to fight again in September, with the bout likely to be staged outside the United States to avoid high taxes, his spokeswoman said Wednesday.
Negotiations are ongoing for a rematch with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, who knocked Pacquiao out in his last fight in December, although the opponent and the venue are yet to be finalised, Rose Tamayo told AFP. "The fight is definitely in September. We will talk about the opponent and the place after the May 13 elections," Tamayo said, citing comments Pacquiao made to her on Wednesday.
Pacquiao, 34, is running for re-election as a congressman in next month's Philippine mid-term elections, and he is currently on the campaign trail. Tamayo said Pacquiao wanted his next fight to be outside the United States, where he has traditionally fought in front of huge crowds and for enormous pay-per-view television revenues, to avoid high taxes.
| Manny Pacquiao |
"Manny
wants to fight outside the United States because of the taxes... Singapore is
one of the top places for consideration. There is also Macau and Dubai,"
Tamayo told AFP. Pacquiao has won an unprecedented eight world titles in
different weight divisions, and was until recently regarded by many as the best
pound-for-pound boxer.
But
Pacquiao lost his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in June last
year in a controversial points decision to US fighter Timothy Bradley, then
suffered his shock knockout defeat to Marquez.His losses prompted calls for him
to retire, but Pacquiao has consistently signalled his intention to keep on
fighting. Pacquiao's sporting achievements lifted him and his family out of
deep poverty, as he became one of the highest paid sportsmen in the world and
an endorser of a myriad of products in the Philippines. He translated
his boxing success into the political ring, winning a seat in the nation's
lower house of parliament in 2010.
Pacquiao is running for
re-election unopposed in the May polls, while seeking to build a power base for
his family. Pacquiao's wife and brother are also running for political posts in
the May elections.
Many Philippine politicians
draft in relatives to stand for other elective positions to spread their
influence and strengthen their power networks.
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