Boxing: Pacquiao reveals retirement timeline

Manny Pacquiao yesterday put a timescale on the remainder of his career by saying he plans to retire within the next three years, after his latest win over Antonio Margarito cemented his boxing superstar status.

Asked when he intends to retire, Pacquiao, who turns 32 next month, said: "Not too long from now, but I don't want to go beyond 35."

The champion also said he was willing to fight Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez again but that it would probably not excite fans. "If I were a boxing fan, I would not watch Pacquiao vs Marquez," he said.

He added that he had no problem fighting Marquez and could sign a contract anytime as long as the promoter is Marquez's own, negotiations are fair and he has a guaranteed prize.

Pacquiao, who was elected representative of southern Sarangani province in May's national elections, has embraced local politics and surprised many by taking his new job as seriously as boxing.

He said yesterday that he had initiated steps to build the first provincial hospital for Sarangani's 500,000 residents, in addition to offering programmes for the poor.