President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo shows Manny Pacquiao, who came with her wife Jinkee, her fighting stance during the WBO world welterweight champion’s courtesy call at Malacañang last Monday. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

The world of boxing may soon miss its best pound-for-pound fighter from the Philippines.

Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday dropped hints at retiring at the peak of his amazing career, which saw him win seven world titles in seven divisions.

Pacquiao said his victory against Joshua Clottey in Dallas, Texas could be his last battle although he still plans to sit down and talk to his family on whether he should leave boxing or prepare for his one last fight.

Pacquiao arrived to a rousing hero’s welcome in Manila after defeating Clottey in a unanimous decision during a recent 12-round lackluster fight.

The playful Pacquiao kids, Princess, Jimwell, and Michael, went to the airport as early as 5 a.m. and anxiously waited at the bottom of the arrival staircase for their parents.

The boxer, who will soon start campaigning for a congressional bid in Sarangani, obtained high praises from President Arroyo and even her four grandchildren during his courtesy call in Malacañang.

Dressed in a suit and accompanied by wife Jinky in the Palace, Pacquiao said that while he is still pumped up for another bout, he is prepared to leave boxing knowing too well of the dangers of the sport.

“My mother has asked me to stop boxing. My family and I will have to discuss lengthily if I will retire or not,” he said in Filipino during an interview with reporters in the Palace. “My mother even said she would kneel before me just so I would give up boxing. Of course we have to respect our parents. Without them, we will not be here,” he added.

Pacquiao, however, said he is still open to fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. anytime he wants to. (Turn to sports page for related story).

“Ako man ay nalulungkot isipin na malapit ko na iwanan ang boxing pero marami tayong magagaling na boxingero sa Pilipinas,” the seven-division world champion said. (“I must admit that it is depressing to think that I may soon retire from boxing but I know we have lots of great boxers in the Philippines.”)

While he is aware many fans still want to see him fight, Pacquiao admitted though that he is intelligent enough to know when to quit and avoid getting injured.

“If I get into an accident in boxing, will you still be happy?” he asked, earning applause from the small crowd gathered at the Palace lobby. “Some people might say because of carelessness. Look what happened to Navarete and other boxers. We often say they were careless. Why will I allow myself end like that? I’m smarter than them,” he added.

For now, Pacquiao is still undecided whether he would hang up his gloves or continue to fight and will instead focus on his political fight aimed at helping the people of Sarangani.

“For me, it’s okay to retire, no problem. It’s also okay for me to fight, no problem. I’ve been in boxing for a long time. I was 12 years old when I started fighting in the ring and up to now, I’m 31 years old so I’ve been in boxing for a while.”

Pacquiao claimed he is different from other boxers because he achieved his victory due to his faith in the Lord, his humility, discipline, and hard work.

President Arroyo, alongside First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, congratulated Pacquiao for his latest triumph during his visit in the Palace at past 10 a.m.

Even the President’s four grandchildren, Mikaela Gloria, Marie Angelique, Eva Victoria and Diosdado Miguel Luis “Diggy,” were present to greet boxing champion.

Three-year-old Diggy, the son of Camarines Rep. Diosdado Ignacio Arroyo “Dato” and Maria Victoria “Kakai” Manotok, stole the spotlight when he eagerly welcomed Pacquiao upon his arrival at the Palace.

“Pacquiao! Pacquiao! Box me, box me!” the little kid exclaimed when he saw Pacquiao on his way towards the Music Room. Pacquiao embraced the President’s first grandson and posed for photographers as if boxing little Diggy.

Pacquiao, accompanied by a small entourage, chatted with the President and the First Gentleman about his fight with Clottey for several minutes at the Music Room before coming out for a brief interview with reporters.

For his mother Dionesia, Pacquiao said he plans to give her a Chanel bag while he offered his sweet victory against Clottey to wife Jinky. “She asked me to win so I was obligated to win, and threw as many punches as I could,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nacionalista Party presidential bet Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. said he would respect the decision of Pacquiao should he decide to retire from boxing.

Villar said he would respect the decision of Pacquiao if he decides to quit the boxing arena.

“We have to leave that decision to him. In fairness to Manny Pacquiao, he has to think of his life after boxing,” Villar said in an interview at the New World Renaissance Hotel in Makati City where Pacquiao and his entourage temporarily stayed. Villar said he has invited Pacquiao in the sorties and political rallies of the Nacionalista Party.

Though he did not join Pacquiao in making the rounds in Metro Manila, Villar said he is looking forward to joining the boxing champion in his motorcade and kick-off rally in General Santos City and Saranggani where he is running locally.

Pacquiao is running for the lone district of Saranggani under the NP.

Villar, however, declined to comment when asked if he can fully help boost Pacquiao’s campaign in Saranggani. (With a report from Anjo Perez, Leonard Postrado, and Hannah L. Torregoza)