Bernard Hopkins wants his fellow boxing legend Manny Pacquiao to retire and become the president of his country.
Following his upset loss to WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas, Manny Pacquiao has shifted his focus on his plan to run for presidency in the Philippines.
Sharing his thoughts on the subject, former multi-division champion Bernard Hopkins urged Pacquiao to pursue politics in his country and forget about boxing.
“I hope [Manny] Pacquiao change his mind,” Hopkins said via International Business Times. “I hope he runs the country, I hope. He can do a lot for that country.”
While some think the world’s only eight-division titlist can still fight, Hopkins pointed out that an ageing fighter like Pacquiao should learn to accept when he’s already “done.”
“When you done, you done,” the 56-year-old stressed. “Normally you gotta be honest with yourself and it’s the individual who know themselves more than anybody. More than anybody! The question should be ‘what you fighting for’. What was it all you are so fighting for?”
Pacquiao has made his fans know about his desire to do a quick rematch against Ugas. The future Hall of Famer is eyeing to make his ring return in either December or early January next year.
“In my entire career, [Yordenis] Ugas was one of the easiest opponents,” Pacquiao claimed via CBS Sports. “[Ugas] only had one style, and I should've been able to easily move away, you've seen how I have moved in my fights before. I couldn't move in this fight. My legs just stopped.”
“I can come back in January,” he added. “I will see about it. I know I can rematch [Ugas] if I want.”