We now know what the biggest road block that could prevent Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather from ever stepping into the ring each other: not money, not Bob Arum, not fight-dodging, but religion.
According to USA Today, Pacquiao mentioned that his recent re-devotion to his Catholic faith may end his boxing career after he takes on Timothy Bradley on June 9. Not having his entire focus on his fight with Bradley could end with Pacman losing for the first time since 2005.
Pacquiao told USA Today by phone Monday: "Maybe, but I'm not saying (Bradley) is the last fight. Maybe I can fight one more. I don't know."
Although it seems like he might be leaving open at least one more fight after Bradley, presumably for the long-awaited showdown with Mayweather, it seems his heart is in another place.
If Pacquiao does decide to leave the sport he loves due to his religious beliefs, no one can blame him, as one's dedication to faith should not be questioned—for some, there is nothing more important than faith.
With Pacquiao giving up all of his activities that conflict with his religious beliefs, including his ownership of a casino, abstaining from alcohol and even giving up his massive cockfighting fleet, Pacman's declaration that it may be all she wrote has to be taken seriously.
With Pacquiao telling Yahoo! Sports that he'll fight Mayweather for the right payday—namely a 50/50 split including pay-per-view revenue—we can only hope Pacquiao will fight one more fight, which could be the Holy Grail of boxing matches of the last 20 years.
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