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Pacquiao flies home and drops retirement hint

Manny Pacquiao returned to the Philippines on Sunday © Getty Images

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Manny Pacquiao could be about to rock the world of boxing after admitting he has returned home to decide whether to hang up his gloves.

Pacquiao defeated Joshua Clottey by unanimous decision on March 14 to defend his World Boxing Organisation welterweight title for the first time. Post-fight questions inside the ring then inevitably centred on the long-anticipated match-up with Floyd Mayweather Jr, and at the time Pacquiao promised he would fight the undefeated Mayweather any time he liked.

"It's up to him. For me, it's no problem to fight him. I will fight him any time. He should win against [Shane] Mosley," Pacquiao said. "If not, Mosley and I will fight. [Mayweather's] style is not a difficult style. He needs to handle his business in his next fight."

However, Pacquiao has since appeared to change his tune, admitting to reporters in Manila that he may never fight again. The Filipino fighter is keen to make his mark in the political world and, after meeting President Gloria Arroyo on Sunday, he confessed he will now consider his future.

"My mother, she said she will even kneel in front of me as long as I stop boxing," Pacquiao was quoted as saying by Bloomberg.com. "We have to respect our parents, without them, we wouldn't be here."

Pacquiao then added: "I want to serve my countrymen."

As for Mayweather, "the Pacman" appears to be losing patience with "Money's" apparent avoidance tactics. The pair had begun negotiations over a blockbuster bout ahead of their respective fights with Mosley and Clottey, only for talks to break down following Mayweather's demand for Pacquiao to undergo a random drugs test.

"I probably won't challenge him because they're the ones who need [a fight]," he told ABS-CBN News. "I've attained my dream in boxing without Floyd Mayweather."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.