Manny Pacquiao likely to fight one more time, promoter Bob Arum says

Manny Pacquiao’s promoter said Thursday that he expects the fighter to get in the ring once more before he retires to focus on a life in politics.

“I believe he’ll take one more fight, then run for the Senate in the Philippines,” Bob Arum told The Times in a telephone conversation from China, where he’s staging a slew of fights this week.

Arum first referenced the possibility of Pacquiao’s next fight being his last in a conversation with TMZ.com.

“He could fight twice more, I guess, but it sets up better for him to fight, then run,” Arum said.

Arum has met with representatives of former light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan in Britain, but officials close to Khan’s promoter, Premier Boxing Champions, have said they don’t expect the fighter will be allowed to fight outside the organization founded by Arum’s longtime rival and powerful boxing manager Al Haymon.

Pacquiao lost a unanimous decision on May 2 to Floyd Mayweather Jr. (48-0), who has said his Sept. 12 bout against Andre Berto will be his last -- a claim being met with great skepticism.

After the loss to Mayweather -- which generated a record 4.4 million pay-per-view buys -- Pacquiao said he fought with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. He then underwent surgery and is not expected to be able to fight until next year.

“From what I’ve heard, Mayweather is retiring,” Arum said. “I guess they could fight again, but many things would have to happen.”