PACQUIAO: "I WILL POSTPONE MY RETIREMENT TO FIGHT IN THE OLYMPICS"
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 02 Mar 2016
For nearly a century, since sprinter David Nepomuceno became the first Filiino to wear the country's colors in the Olympic Games, the Philippines has continuously been in quest for the elusive gold medal in the biggest gathering of athletes on the planet.
That long 92-year wait could end in this year's 28th staging of the quadrennial conclave among the world's best and brightest athletes with ring icon Manny Pacquiao no less receiving invitation from the International Boxing Association to take part in the August 5-21 Games set in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
AIBA's Taiwanese president, Dr. Ching Kuo Wu himself extended the world boxing governing body's invitation to the Filipino eight-division champion during the world amateur boxing championships held October last year in Qatar where Pacquiao was one of the special guests.
"Why not? For as long as it's for the country!" Pacquiao exclaimed when asked whether he is amenable to carrying the country's flag in the Games during one of his training sessions at the MP Wild Card Gym in General Santos City last week, where he is in deep preparation for his coming fight with American Timothy Bradley.
"Kahit walang bayad, lalaban ako sa Olympic Games alang-alang sa bayan at sa ating mga kababayan. Para mabigyan na natin ang Pilipinas ng kanyang kauna-unahang gintong medalya na matagal-tagal na rin naman nating pinapangarap" Pacquiao, who is considering the Bradley fight as the last of his 21-year pro career, said his eyes beaming with pride.
Pacquiao added though he is still studying the matter. Kung walang malalabag na regulasyon or rules, for that matter, I'm in. Even to the extent of postponing my planned retirement, it's okay with me."
"It's a big honor to be invited to this landmark event that will give small countries like the Philippines chances of winning Olympic medals. Good for us, good for boxing. Good for sports in general," the Congressman from Sarangani province who is seeking a senate seat in the coming May elections, pointed out.
AIBA's invitation to Pacquiao has asssured the 37-year-old Filipino sensation a wildcard ticket, allowing him passage straight into the main draw without having to undergo several Olympic qualifying tournament for the purpose of making it to Rio.
After seeing action in 22 editions of the Summer Games, Filipino athletes have so far brought home a pair of silver medals, both in the sport of sweet science -- Anthony Villanueva in 1964 in Tokyo and Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco in 1996 and seven bronze medals, three of them, also in boxing.
Anthony's father Jose "Cely" went home with a bronze from Los Angeles in 1932, a feat duplicated by fighters Leopoldo Serantes in 1988 in Seoul and Onyok's brother Roel in Barcelona in 1992.
Other Filipino Olympic bronze medal winners are swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso, twice in 1928 in Amsterdam and 1932 in Los Angeles, high jumper Simeon Toribio, also in 1932 in L.A. and hurdler Miguel White in 1936 in Berlin.
The Philippines had, actually, won a gold medal in demonstration sport bowling in 1988 in Seoul. Taekwondo jins Bea Lucero and Stephen Fernandez, too, took home a bronze each in 1992, also in Barcelona where their sport was held as demonstration event.
In Olympic boxing, there are only 10 weight categories, compared to 17 in the pro ranks. If Pacquiao fights in Rio, he?ll enter either the light-welterweight (64 kilogram limit or 140 pounds) or the welterweight (69 kilogram limit or 147 pounds) division.
AIBA will vote within three months on the proposal, which according to Wu are "absolutely possible" even amidst widespread opposition from the professional boxing world, including former Olympics and world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and current World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman.
Top Rank's bossman Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, likewise, expressed apprehension on the idea of allowing pros, particularly his client, to fight in the Summer Games.
Boxing is the only Olympic sport where professionals are not allowed to compete.
Dr. Wu reasoned out that "it?s the International Olympic Committee's view to bring the world?s best athletes to the Olympics as reason for AIBA'S proposal. Basketball welcomed NBA players to the 1992 Barcelona Games, signaling the start of the open era in Olympic hoops. Dr. Wu said it?s time to do the same for boxing.
?We want the best boxers to come to the Olympics,? said Dr. Wu. ?It is AIBA?s 70th birthday and we want something to change, not after four years but now.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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