Manny Pacquiao is dropping hints like crazy about his pending retirement from the world of boxing, despite not losing a fight since 2005, and despite the fact that he has yet to land and face the fighter he (presumably) wants to fight the most – Floyd Mayweather Jr. How soon is now? Depends who you ask, and what you believe.

Pacquiao, according to his trainer Freddie Roach, has been less and less focused during preparations and training camps in his last few fights. Too many distractions not involving the sport sprout up as his fame grows. Not winning by a knockout on his last four fights might be a result of these distractions, including being a congressman in the Philippines.

But it seems there are a few goals left achieve. More money? No one ever died from having too much money, I think. Pacquiao is also rumored to be going through some financial problems, which sound crazy considering the amount he brings in through PPVs, but when thinking about the amount of leeches surrounding celebrities, and boxers especially, maybe this “news” shouldn’t be shocking at all.

Getting the Floyd Mayweather fight, remaining un-beaten since getting beaten by Erik Morales in 2005, a defeat Pacquiao avenged twice the next year, has to be above everything else. Problem is Manny isn’t the only one involved in the decision making. Bob Arum seems to be making them for him, or at least pushing his influence as much as possible. Floyd Mayweather’s demands regarding money also have something to do with it. Maybe more than just ‘something.’

And there’s god. Pacquiao claims that god has urged him to retire. You can say god spoke to him, or look at it as Manny getting closer to religion or just getting tired of dishing out and taking beatings. The toll grows heavier as the years go by, and at 33, after 59 proffesional fights, maybe he does see the end very very near.

Manny Pacquiao – I will not stay long in boxing because He said: ‘You have done enough. You have made yourself famous but this is harmful.

Freddie Roach – The thing is we have a big fight coming up and hopefully Mayweather will have a good fight also with Cotto. That’ll draw them to fight each other. I would like to see Manny fight this fight  then Mayweather and be over with it. I don’t see any point in going any further than that.

If Manny’s hungry to fight and wants to fight I’ll help him as long as possible. He asked me, ‘When I’m finished, will you be the first one to tell me?’ I said, ‘I definitely will’ and I said, ‘Will you listen to me when I do?’ and he said, ‘Yes, I will.’

Pacquiao will fight Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas on June 9. Floyd Mayweather will take on Miguel Cotto on May 5 in the same venue, the MGM grand. After his fight with Cotto, he will have to begin his postponed jail time. Afterwards? If both of them win their fights, the festival around Mayweather vs Pacquiao will begin once again.