Bob Arum: 'Manny Pacquiao is more interested in politics than boxing'

Top Rank Promotions boss Bob Arum has confirmed that Manny Pacquiao will return to the boxing ring early next year, once the Filipino boxing icon fully heals from a torn rotator cuff suffered in a loss against Floyd Mayweather Jr in May. While boxing fans would certainly get excited with Pacquiao returning to action no later than the second week of April; the time frame for the Filipino’s comeback suggests he is more focused on his career as a politician.

Arum revealed to ESPN’s Dan Rafael that the reason for Pacquiao’s preferred time for his boxing comeback is because of the Filipino’s campaign to run for senate in the Philippines on May 9. Arum said Pacquiao wants to focus on his political career, and seems to be more interested in talking about his political agendas rather than what is left of his illustrious boxing career.

“He wants to fight and then concentrate on the campaign. It's very important to him," Arum told ESPN. "I've spoken to Manny a couple of times [recently], and he is more interested in talking politics than boxing."

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz also chimed in about the Filipino boxer’s preferred date for his comeback. Koncz said that Pacquiao is healing well and would be ready to fight again in late February or March, after Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a renowned orthopedic surgeon who operated on the Filipino’s shoulder, advised him not to fight again this year.

Arum also came up with a five-man list of Pacquiao’s potential comeback opponent, which includes Amir Khan, Terence Crawford, Kell Brook, Lucas Matthysse, and Juan Manuel Marquez. The leading candidate, however, is Pacquiao’s former sparring partner Khan, who has been trying to land a fight with now retired boxing champ Mayweather.

According to Bleacher Report, Khan is still positive about his ambitious plan to land a fight with Mayweather. The British fighter said he hopes to lure “Money” out of retirement if he wins against Pacquiao in 2016.

“I think Manny Pacquiao would be the priority because I don’t know how long he has got left in his career, I think he would be the first fight to take,” Khan told Boxing Scene. “Manny P was probably number two pound-for-pound so by fighting him and beating him, it might get me to be the number one pound for pound fighter and then you get someone like Floyd Mayweather who might say I will come out of retirement and fight him—imagine that.”

Arum said he hopes to complete a deal with Khan, but the British fighter’s adviser Al Haymon is on the way. The American businessman revealed he has been talking with Khan’s family, who are closely involved in his career.

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