Manny Pacquiao is expected back into the ring by 2016 but it looks like it could be a short return if promoter Bob Arum is to be believed.

Pacquiao is currently on the road to recovery after undergoing successful shoulder injury after his last loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May. While there is no word yet on whom he would fight next year, it could be his swan song as well.

There are many who believe that a rematch could happen despite the fact that there are those who would rather not see it happen. But it could all depend on a lot of things.

One is, of course, on whether or not Mayweather will really retire after his Sept. 12 joust with Andre Berto. Despite Mayweather's repeated claims that he is hanging it all up after the tiff with Berto, some are convinced that the undefeated American boxer will fight on.

But for that to happen, it will have to be something intriguing and maybe tempting. Money is a factor and that will depend largely on whom he would face. Pacquiao, like it or not, is one of them.

For now, Amir Khan is the leading name for Pacquiao's next opponent. After that, it could all be over — win or lose.

The reason? Well Pacquiao is planning to run for a Senate seat in May 2016 and, according to Arum, eyeing the presidency thereafter.

So with that said, the obvious is that Pacquiao will be placing his focus on his political career and probably saying goodbye to boxing after his return match in 2016. But like Mayweather, the door is still open so anything can happen.

Would Pacquiao and Mayweather get it on and then retire at the same time? Well, that is possible, unless they both find a reason to have one last fight.