Manny Pacquiao
Boxer Manny Pacquiao arrives for a workout before his bout with Tim Bradley, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States, March 30, 2016. Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao predicted that NBA defending champs Golden State Warriors could eclipse the Chicago Bulls’ winning record of 72-10 in the 1995-1996 season.

Pacquiao is betting on the Warriors to break the record-setting 72 wins and 10 losses orchestrated by the 1996 Bulls. Pacquiao, who is a basketball fan himself and plays as a playing-coach for a team in the Philippine Basketball Association, believes the Warriors can surpass the Bulls record as Golden State has “too many shooters.”

The Warriors are on pace to make history amid their already historical NBA run for a second-consecutive NBA title. After their 103-96 overtime win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Golden State ties their winning record last season of 67 victories, inching closer to moving past Chicago’s record with eight games remaining in the regular season.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been insistent that his team would chase history, although there it could cost them a minor setback of not resting Curry, Klay Thompson or Draymond Green.

“Now we’re right there,” Kerr said, reports Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News. “That’s pretty enticing. It’s really the players’ record. I know they want to get it. So we’ll act accordingly.”

However, the Warriors face a difficult schedule in their remaining eight outings, with games against the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao is set for the final fight of his boxing career when he meets Timothy Bradley for the third time on Apr. 9 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. The former eight-division titlist has been adamant about hanging up his gloves after the Pacquiao-Bradley III bout, but in a recent interview with by AFP, the 34-year-old Pacquiao refused to rule out a return to the sport that made him a world-wide figure.

“I’m not saying. It’s hard to say. At the moment I’m here training for the next fight. I cannot say yes or no. My decision is to go back to the Philippines and help the people,” Pacquiao said, reports Inquirer Sports. “I don’t want to say something that you know we don’t know yet. I don’t know what the feeling is going to be like when I’m retired.”

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