Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley: Freddie Roach not convinced by Filipino's retirement vow

Freddie Roach is not convinced Manny Pacquiao will walk away from boxing after his clash with Timothy Bradley. Pacquaio, 37, revealed last year he will hang up his gloves to focus solely on his political career in his native Philippines.

The eight-division world champion is hoping to secure a seat in the senate in forthcoming elections and is hoping to bow out of the sport with a 58th career win on Saturday 9 April in his decisive third meeting with Bradley. But his long-term trainer Roach believes the veteran still has plenty to offer the sport.

"I personally don't know if this will be Manny's last fight but he is training like it's going to be his last fight," Roach said. "Manny has achieved so much in his boxing career and if this is going to be his swansong I know he wants to go out blazing with a spectacular performance," said Roach.

"If the opportunity for a knock-out presents itself during the fight, he's going to go for it. He knows how to close the show and he wants this show closed with fireworks. He wants to finish the book on his boxing career with a spectacular ending.

"I do think Manny has more quality fights in him. His power, speed, work ethic are still superior to most others."

After Pacquiao lost to Floyd Mayweather Jnr in May 2015, talk of a rematch between the two welterweight giants has never quite disappeared, despite the veteran American retiring from the ring after his 49<sup>th career victory over Andre Berto in September 2015.

Like Roach, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum is also sceptical about the veteran's retirement vow.

"I will not promote it as Manny's last fight," Arum said in January. "He says he's going to retire, and maybe he will. The truth is that you never know with any boxer, but I haven't known Manny to say things he doesn't mean. But we all realise this could be the last time he fights."