Jimuel Pacquiao wants dad Manny to retire from boxing

Jimuel Pacquiao, son of boxing champ and Senator Manny Pacquiao, said he will support whatever his father decides, but is hoping his dad would retire from boxing.

"For me he can actually stop na. I mean he's 40 and he has nothing to prove. He's already a legend in boxing. But I'll support him in whatever he does, whatever his choice is," said Jimuel in a report on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.

Jimuel made the comment after his father defended his WBA welterweight title against challenger American boxer Keith Thurman in Las Vegas on Sunday (PHL time). The elder Pacquiao won by decision, showing his vintage form and superior speed.

"This was parang flashback doon sa kanyang prime years kasi the way he fought Thurman and the pace was like, he was like a young Manny Pacquiao," he added.

"Na-inspire ako. Parang exciting. Ganito pala 'yung atmosphere, 'yung feeling to be nasa ganitong fight," said Jimuel, who has also started boxing. He won his first amateur boxing fight by knockout last April.

The elder Pacquiao, however, said he will still continue boxing. He said he is looking to returning to the ring next year.

"Definitely be back in the ring. I guess I'll give my best. If you ask me about how I rate my performance last night, I believe this time I can give more. Yeah, I can give more," he said. —KG, GMA News