Manny Pacquiao could put his retirement on hold to fight Yordenis Ugas for a second time.
Pacquiao was outpointed by the Cuban last weekend in what looked set to be his 72nd and final professional fight.
The Filipino rated his changes of continuing his career at 40 per cent - but has now admitted he could seek a rematch with Ugas before pursuing a bid to become president of his homeland.
“Yes, I can come back in January. I will see about it," Pacquiao told The Athletic : “Yes, I can come back in January. I will see about it,"
“I know I can rematch him if I want. I’ll just need to tell [Premier Boxing Champions head] Al Haymon. That would be no problem."
The loss was Pacquiao's first since his controversial decision defeat by Jeff Horn in 2017. The eight-division champion was set to fight Errol Spence before Ugas, but a torn retina forced Spence out of the fight and Ugas filled in on two weeks' notice.
Pacquiao was left frustrated by the loss, describing Ugas as one of the easiest opponents of his career.
“In my entire career, Ugas was one of the easiest opponents. [Ugas] only had one style, and I should’ve been able to easily move away," Pacquiao added.
"You’ve seen how I have moved in my fights before. I couldn’t move in this fight. My legs just … stopped.
"I will think about it because I can’t believe that one of the easiest opponents I ever faced did that."
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Pacquiao has served as a senator of the Philippines since 2016, but he is hopeful of taking his political career even further by running for presidency in his home country.
The 2022 Philippine presidential election is scheduled to take place in May and Pacquiao is aware a run at presidency could rule out a ring return.
“I don’t know. Right now, I’m not closing my mind. I do know that in the Philippines, the people will love me more (as a presidential candidate) because I will fight for them. I’ll prepare to announce my candidacy and I know the people will love it," he continued.
“I say to the people, ‘You know my heart. You know my money. I sacrificed myself — gave up my blood — to make money to give to the people, and my dream is justice for the less fortunate people.
“If not me, then who? I’m a fighter, and I’ll always be a fighter inside and outside the ring. I don’t care about my opponent(s). I care about my people. I am a servant to them.”
