Three months removed from the most harrowing experience of his stellar career, Manny Pacquiao has moved on and looks forward to the day when he fulfills his promise to everyone that he will rise again.
In a free-wheeling discussion over a sumptuous meal of his favorite culinary delights -lobster and grouper and stewed meat - Pacquiao revealed his plans of fighting a few more times.
"Besides, I am just 34 (years old)," said the fighter as he was attending to business matters so he could fly back to Sarangani to resume his duties as congressman there and prepare for the start of the campaign period.
Asked about the number of fights he intends to do in the remainder of his Hall of Fame career, Pacquiao grimaced when the interviewer flashed his five fingers.
"That's just too much."
"Maybe, one or two or the most is three," he said.
Pacquiao didn't look as though the world had come to an end following the sixth-round knockout defeat handed to him by Juan Manuel Marquez last Dec. 8 before a silenced crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
During the brief period he answered some questions, Pacquiao sounded as though that happened a long time ago, his eyes twinkling and the tone of his voice upbeat and excited like a toddler who had just been a handed a toy.
From time to time, Pacquiao admits seeing images of the fourth Marquez fight but he's too engrossed in his political life that boxing has taken the back seat.
But not for long.
Pacquiao said that immediately after the May elections, he will begin to discuss what's down the road for him in the ring.
"I am focused in this election so a September date is perfect for me," said Pacquiao.
Plans are afoot for him to face Marquez for the fifth time on Sept. 14 and when he was reminded that Marquez apparently has his number, Pacquiao turned away, looked upwards, stared back and said something to his visitor in a stern voice.
"I told you, we will rise again."
