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Buboy wants to see Pacquiao retire on top

Published January 22, 2019, 8:30 AM by Nick Giongco

LOS ANGELES — Take it from someone who truly cares about the welfare of 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao.

Buboy Fernandez, who took the starring role in Pacquiao’s convincing win over Adrien Broner on Saturday to keep his World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, believes that his childhood friend should hang up his gloves after three more fights.

Manny Pacquiao trainer Buboy Fernandez (photo from Nick Giongco)

“We have nothing else more to prove,” Fernandez told a handful of Manila-based scribes early Monday morning upon arrival here from Sin City. “And even if we win those three fights, what would it do to our legacy?”

Fernandez admits that the end is near although he was very satisfied with Pacquiao’s beating of the 29-year-old American challenger.

Fernandez believes boxing remains a young man’s sport and he has seen many potential conquerors making their way up.

“We can see them rising slowly, young fighters, hungry fighters,” he said.

Most of the other champions at 147 are in their late twenties or early-30s.

Errol Spence, champion in the International Boxing Federation, is 28; Shawn Porter of the World Boxing Council is 31; Terence Crawford of the World Boxing Organization is also 31; and Keith Thurman, the ‘super’ champion with the WBA, is 30.

Fernandez reminded his listeners of the harrowing experience when Pacquiao fought Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time in December 2012.

“I don’t want to see that happening again. Once is enough,” said Fernandez, reminding everyone of Pacquiao lying face-down on the floor motionless after absorbing a wicked Marquez counter right to the jaw.

Tags: Adrien Broner , Buboy Fernandez , Errol Spence , Juan Manuel Marquez , Keith Thurman , Manny Pacquiao , Shawn Porter , Terence Crawford , World Boxing Association , World Boxing Council , World Boxing Organization