NEW DEADLINE GIVES PACQUIAO TIME TO CHANGE HIS MIND AND FIGHT IN THE OLYMPICS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 03 Jun 2016
A new deadline set by the International Boxing Organization -AIBA - under the jurisdiction of the International Olympic Committee has given eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao time to change his mind if he so decides and accept a "wild card" entry to compete in the junior welterweight division of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August this year.
ABAP executive director Ed Picson who cast the vote for the Philippine National Association for boxing in support of the proposal to allow pro boxers to fight in the Olympics beginning at the 2016 Games in Rio told The Standard that there will be one additional qualifying tournament in Vargas, Venezuela on July 8 featuring boxers from AIBA's World Series of Boxing, the APB and pro boxers.
AIBA president Dr. Wu Kuo-Ching who met with Picson prior to the congress in Lausanne, Switzerland told the ABAP official that he "respects Manny's decision" not to compete in Rio and to concentrate on his obligation to the more than 16 million people who voted for him as a senator in the May elections.
Realizing the possibility that Pacquiao may change his mind, Dr. Wu informed Picson that the new deadline for qualifying had been moved f rom the original May 27 date to June 23.
At the same time the AIBA president brushed aside concerns about possible mismatches between pros and amateurs pointing out that if its going to be obvious from the start of a bout, the referees have the authority to stop it.
Picson allayed fears that some pro boxers might "butcher young amateurs" pointing out that AIBA referees who are highly qualified "can call a halt to a bout even after one solid blow. They could also give a fighter one,two or even three standing eight counts before stopping a bout."
He said that they have specific instructions that if a pro like heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko "is all over his opponent then they can stop the fight. We don't need to see a fighter beaten up."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
Fri, 12 Dec 2025MERCADO AIMING TO SEND MESSAGE TO 140LB RIVALS
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Sullivan Management signs Influencer/pro boxer Brooklyn Barwick
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Round 12: Successful WBC Annual Convention in Bangkok (Photos)
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Halfway Point Surpassed at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Fri, 12 Dec 2025