Pac-Man finale: Khan or Money?

Manny Pacquiao being coached by a Philippine doctor to do some exercise two weeks ago to rehabilitate his right shoulder rotator cuff, which he injured while training for May's mega-bout with the American Floyd Mayweather. The boxer intends to have o
Manny Pacquiao being coached by a Philippine doctor to do some exercise two weeks ago to rehabilitate his right shoulder rotator cuff, which he injured while training for May's mega-bout with the American Floyd Mayweather. The boxer intends to have one last fight before running for political office in his native Philippines. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

DOHA • The final fight of Manny Pacquiao's illustrious career could be against Floyd "Money" Mayweather or Amir Khan.

The Filipino boxer said on Thursday that a final decision on his last opponent would be taken in the next two months.

The 36-year-old, who was in Qatar's capital to attend the World Boxing Championships, confirmed that he is in negotiations with American Mayweather and Briton Khan but said he had no preference over who to fight.

"I will fight anybody, anywhere," he added.

"I am going to fight probably before the election."

He explained that he is on the verge of quitting boxing for politics and is likely to run for a seat in the Philippine Senate next May.

He added that he would like to be the country's President if it is "God's will".

"The election is coming next year, May, and before that I will probably have one fight," he said.

"We are going to finalise by November or December."

Mayweather retired with a perfect record of 49 wins and no defeats following his last fight, a near shut-out points victory over Andre Berto last month.

However, very few people in boxing circles actually believe the brash and controversial American will not fight again.

Any potential bout would take place in March or early April next year, said Pacquiao, who also told Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera that it could be held in the Gulf.

He has been widely regarded as second to Mayweather in the theoretical pound-for-pound rankings over the last few years.

He has 57 wins, two draws and six losses over a 20-year career.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 10, 2015, with the headline Pac-Man finale: Khan or Money?. Subscribe