Manny Pacquiao crowned his 21-year professional career with an emphatic victory over Tim Bradley here on Saturday, delivering a vintage performance before saying a farewell to boxing.

Pacquiao – fighting for the first time since his defeat to Floyd Mayweather last May in the “Fight of the Century” – knocked down Bradley twice on his way to a unanimous decision.

The judges’ scorecards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena told the story of Pacquiao’s dominance in the non-title welterweight duel, with the 37-year-old eight-division world champion winning by identical margins of 116-110 on all three cards.

Pacquiao had insisted on Saturday’s bout –the 66th of his career – will be his final fight before he focuses on his political career in the Philippines, where he is seeking election to the Senate next month.

His promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, believes the boxer will return to the ring - especially with the voluminous amount of money that he spends to help the poor and disadvantaged in the Philippines.

"He's torn," said Arum. "His wife wants him to retire. He's running for office, and if he wins, which he will, there will be tremendous responsibilities that go with it. However, a big payday is something he might require in the near future."

"He doesn't have money problems now, but of course he's going to have money problems if he's going to be building hospitals out of his own pocket instead of letting the [Philippines] government build the hospitals. People care about this kid. And Manny politely listens to everybody and then does what he wants. He has no advice that he will accept."