Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is in negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jr and Amir Khan for what would probably be the final fight of his illustrious career, he said on Thursday.
Speaking in Doha, where he is visiting the AIBA World Boxing Championships, Pacquaio said a final decision on who his last opponent will be, would be taken by “November or December.”
The 36-year-old is on the verge of quitting boxing for politics and is likely to run for a seat in the Philippine Senate in May.
Photo: AFP
He also said he would like to be the country’s president if it is “God’s will.”
Pacquiao confirmed he is in negotiations with Mayweather and Khan, but said he had no preference over who to fight.
“I will fight anybody, anywhere,” he said. “I am going to fight probably before the election. The election is coming next year, May, and before that I will probably have one fight.”
“We are going to finalize by November or December,” he added.
The fight would take place in March or early April next year, he said.
Pacquiao also told Qatari broadcaster al-Jazeera that any fight could take place in the Gulf.
The Filipino is in Qatar at the invitation of AIBA president Wu Ching-kuo of Taiwan, a personal friend.
He arrived on Thursday and was expected to leave yesterday morning.
Pacquaio, who lost to Mayweather in his last fight, said he was free from a shoulder injury and ready for his next challenge.
Earlier on Thursday, Taz Khan, the uncle and manager of British boxer Amir Khan said talks had begun with the Filipino’s management team, but “at the moment that’s all there is.”
Amir Khan was keen for the fight to happen, Taz Khan said.
“He’s always up for any fight if it’s on the table, he’ll take it,” Taz Khan said.
The British boxer is also expected to visit the championships at the weekend.
Pacquaio likewise confirmed his political ambitions.
Despite some criticism from inside the Philippines about his political record so far — he was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives in 2010 — the boxer, an eight-division world champion, said he was aiming for the top office.
Asked if he wanted to be president, he replied: “Of course, why not? If that’s my destiny, if that’s God’s plan. Before I started boxing I never thought I could conquer seven, eight weight divisions. Who knows?”
The AIBA World Championships continue until Thursday next week.
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