LAS VEGAS -- Count promoter Bob Arum among the legions of boxing followers who believe Manny Pacquiao's retirement from boxing is likely to be more of a trial separation.
"He's torn," said Arum, who promoted Pacquiao's decision victory over Timothy Bradley Jr. on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden and has the rights to any Pacquiao fights through 2017. "His wife wants him to retire. He's running for office, and if he wins, which he will, there will be tremendous responsibilities that go with it."
"However," Arum added, "a big payday is something he might require in the near future."
Pacquiao, who earned a reported $160 million for his bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May, will reportedly receive $20 million for the Bradley fight. Pacquiao's fights have generated more than $1 billion in pay-per-view revenue in the United States.
"He doesn't have money problems now, but of course he's going to have money problems if he's going to be building hospitals out of his own pocket instead of letting the [Philippines] government build the hospitals," Arum said.
The generosity of Pacquiao -- who grew up penniless in the streets of Manila -- toward his countrymen is legendary, and his advisers have tried to convince him that he cannot support an entire nation on his own.
"People care about this kid," Arum said. "And Manny politely listens to everybody and then does what he wants. He has no advice that he will accept."
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