• Welterweight

Pacquiao future depends on Rios

ESPN staff
May 29, 2013
Manny Pacquiao has lost his last two fights © Getty Images
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Eight-division champion and ten-time world titlist Manny Pacquiao will be told to consider his boxing future if he does not overcome Brandon Rios, the fighter's advisor Michael Koncz has confirmed.

'Pac Man' meets 'Bam Bam' in Macau on November 24, but Koncz admitted if the 34-year-old suffers a third straight defeat then time will most likely be called on one of the sport's most glittering careers.

"If we are not able to win this fight with Rios impressively than yes, it will be time to sit with Manny to discuss hanging up the gloves," Koncz told World Boxing News.

"Rios is a young hungry fighter and his style of coming straight forward and throwing a lot of punches will give the fans a very entertaining fight."

Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight crown on a controversial decision to Timothy Bradley before being knocked out on his December 2012 return by old rival Juan Manuel Marquez.

If Rios provides Pacquiao with a third consecutive mark to his card, it would almost certainly end any hopes of a potential lucrative bout with pound-for-pound welterweight king Floyd Mayweather Jr - a fight the Filipino has long desired.

However, Koncz stated he does not believe the clash between the two highest paid sportsmen on the planet will ever be made and believes Pacquiao's attention, for now, remains firmly on Rios.

"I personally do not see the fight between Floyd and Manny happening," Koncz said."We are focused on the November 24 fight with Rios and nothing else as we understand the importance of this fight."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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