Is Time Running Out For Manny Pacquiao?

Part of the problem boxing fans have, is constantly looking into the future, without living in and appreciating the now. The time has come for boxing fans to stop, and cherish what we have in fighters like Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, the Klitschko brothers and especially Manny Pacquiao.

Even though Manny Pacquiao is in his prime, there is already talk by his trainer, Freddie Roach, that time is short for his fighter; Manny himself has discussed an interest in politics. Roach recently had this to say:

“If he retires after this (Cotto) fight I’ll be fine with that also,” Roach told the Inquirer over breakfast at the Manor Hotel in Baguio City Monday.

“If negotiations with Mayweather fail and Manny wins against Cotto, he’ll be having seven world titles. Nobody has done that before, so there’s nothing else to prove.”

http://sports.inquirer.net/professional/professional/view/20090929-227376/Roach-not-looking-past-Cotto-Mayweather

I think we're witnessing one ore two more big fights from Pacquiao, before he calls it quits. If Manny does get past Cotto, he'll likely face Floyd Mayweather Jr., and win or lose, that will probably be his last fight. And who can blame Manny? He's had a tremendous career and given boxing fans some great fights to watch.

The only troubling thing about the retirement talk now is, it's so close to the Pacquiao-Cotto fight. Hopefully it isn't a sign that Manny has lost his passion for the sport. He needs to bring the fire against Cotto. He needs to bring it all. Because if Manny has lost even an ounce of passion for the sport, Cotto will snuff out what's left of the flame.