Door ajar for Floyd Mayweather rematch as Manny Pacquiao hints at final fight before retirement

Manny Pacquiao has left the door open to the possibility of a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. next year.

Pacquiao, 36, revealed in a television interview that he intended to retire from boxing in 2016 to further his career in politics – but is hoping to fight one last time before he steps away from the ring.

An intriguing meeting with former training partner Amir Khan has previously been mooted but a rematch with Mayweather, who beat Pacquiao on points in May, would be the more obvious (and money-spinning) conclusion to the Filipino’s career.

The unbeaten Mayweather has already announced his retirement, but many informed observers believe he will fight once more in a bid to surpass Rocky Marciano’s record of retiring with a record of 49-0.

“I think I’m ready [to retire],” Pacquiao said. “I’ve been in boxing for more than 20 years.

“I prayed to God for guidance and I am happy about it.”

Pacquiao added that he hopes to fight once more before entering politics – a career change that he believes will become his focus.

“I will have to give up the other things that require my attention,” he added.

“If you are a senator, your focus should only be your job and your family.

“I will not be absent because the whole country would be my responsibility.”

Manny Pacquiao plans to retire after one more fight next year

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao says he is likely to retire from the sport after one more fight next year.

Pacquiao, who lost to Floyd Mayweather in his last fight, wants to run for a seat in the Philippines senate in 2016.

Britain's Amir Khan is one potential opponent for 36-year-old Pacquiao, with American Terence Crawford among the other contenders.

"I think I'm ready. I've been in boxing for more than 20 years," the six-weight world champion told ANC.

"If you are a senator, your focus should only be your job and your family.

"I will have to give up the other things that require my attention."

Pacquiao said he "cannot say" whether his last fight would be a rematch against Mayweather, with the American having pledged to retire after his defeat of Andre Berto.

The Filipino, who underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff after the fight against Mayweather, boasts a fight record of 57 wins, six losses and two draws.