Pacquiao withdraws from world title fight rematch with Australian Jeff Horn prompting speculation his boxing career is coming to an end.

The bout was scheduled to take place on November 12th in Brisbane, Australia following the pair’s initial clash earlier this year down under.

In a statement released, Pacquiao has withdrawn from the date due to a clash with a planned political trip to China on behalf of his native Filipino government – of which he is an elected Senator.

Some suggested that Pacquiao’s considerable political duties interfered with his performance during his defeat on points last time out.

In all fairness, he certainly didn’t look like anywhere near the Manny Pacquiao of old, but that is perhaps to be expected now at his age and with the fact he is working in his government so heavily.

The statement goes on to outline that Pacquiao looks to have the rematch with Horn again in 2018. However it is not clear whom Horn will defend his WBO welterweight title against before that just yet.

Since his loss to Floyd Mayweather back in May 2015, (including that fight) Pacquiao will have just boxed four times by the time 2018 roles around.

His most significant period of inactivity in his boxing career to date.

His promoter Bob Arum has hinted in recent interviews that Pacquiao is now on the final stretch of his career so by all accounts 2018 could be the very last time we see him in the ring.

Speculation did exist earlier in the year that Pacquiao would box fellow promotional stablemate Terence Crawford and with Crawford possibly set to move to 147lbs following unifying the titles at 140lbs recently, a swansong fight for Pacquiao against him in late 2018 would not surprise this writer.

Pacquiao’s current professional boxing record stands at 59-7-2 (38KO).