PACQUIAO TO WIN WORLD TITLE AS SENATOR AFTER BECOMING WORLD CHAMP AS CONGRESSMAN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Sep 2016
When incumbent senator Manny Pacquiao comes out of brief retirement to challenge the WBO world welterweight title against Jessie Vargas on November 5, it is interesting to note that if he wins the bout, he will attain another record to be added into his endless collections of extraordinary achievements.
The eight division world champion will become the first senator in international history to win a world boxing title. Vargas is the reigning WBO welterweight champion and a Pacman victory will crown him as world welterweight titleholder for the third time.
Pacquiao first won the WBO welterweight belt by an 11th round TKO over Miguel Cotto in 2009. It was the last time he won by stoppage.
He won the WBO welter crown when he dominated Timothy Bradley, Jr. by unanimous decision in a rematch in 2014. That time Pacquiao was already a congressman, getting elected in 2010 and reelected in 2013 as representative of Saranggani. He lost that WBO diadem in a controversial defeat to Bradley by split decision during the first encounter in 2012.
When he was foiled by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in the Fight of the Century in 2015, Pacquiao again lost the WBO welterweight belt.
Pacquiao won his first world title as a congressman in 2010 when he outpointed the bulkier Antonio Margarito and wrested from him the WBO superwelterweight belt. Later, he decided to remain as a welterweight and successfully defended the WBO championship against Joshua Clottey in 2010, Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez (third fight) in 2011, and Chris Algieri in 2014.
In those fights from Margarito to Bradley 3, he was always introduced by ring announcer Michael Buffer as "The Fighting Congressman from Sarangani, Philippines."
Come November 5, the announcer will now introduce him as "The Fighting Senator from the Philippines. He is very busy fulfiling his duties as senator attending sessions, committee hearings and staying in his office. He religiously attended his works as promised in the campaign.
But you cannot just separate Pacquiao from boxing and detach boxing from Pacquiao.
"When you put your passion and your dedication in one sport, you cannot say you're leaving that sport if your passion is there," Pacquiao was quoted by GMA News.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026