This, according to his own coach, Freddie Roach.
Roach watched from the corner as Pacquiao repeatedly whacked away at the 29-year-old Horn, and believed that the "Pacman" deserved the decision. However, he also saw how the only eight-division world champion in the history of boxing failed to close out the show after a superb ninth round.
"The ninth round was very good," said Roach, referring to Pacquiao's best round of the bout that saw him nearly stop Horn. "I wanted one more like that, and he just didn't have it."
"That was a very, very busy round, very aggressive, very explosive, good combinations. That was the Manny Pacquiao I've been working to see. He had spurts… but not enough," he added.
Horn wound up with a 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 win to claim the WBO welterweight belt, his first world title. Pacquiao, meanwhile, lost for the first time since dropping a unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather in May 2015.
Pacquiao did not retire after that fight against Mayweather, opting instead to face Timothy Bradley in April 2016 for what should have been his final fight. He was back in the ring later that year, however, beating Jessie Vargas for the WBO belt.
After his prized ward lost the title to the younger Horn, Roach admits that it may be time for Pacquiao to hang up his gloves for good.
"Yes," he said frankly when asked if retirement is now an option for Pacquiao.
"I'm going to watch the tape and talk to Manny about it," he added. "We will have a discussion about that, yes. Being a senator, and being a fighter, it's really hard."
Roach noted that Pacquiao was able to juggle his life as a boxer and a politician better back when he was a congressman, partly because the "Pacman" did not have as many responsibilities back then. His job in the Senate, however, is much more demanding.
"He likes this better than the other one," Roach said. "For me, looking in, I can see he's liking this job now. He's a lot busier in this job than he was before. Now he's a senator… maybe it is over."
If Pacquiao is to continue with his boxing career, that will require more free time, said Roach, and he admits that may not be possible given the demands of the job.
"It's a difficult decision, but it might be one he has to make," said Roach.
Nevertheless, Roach wants it known that he believes Pacquiao should have won. "I had him up three or four points, but I'm not a judge though," he said.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
