MANNY PACQUIAO, THE WORLD'S ONLY FIGHTING SENATOR
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 04 Nov 2016
When Manny Pacquiao steps into the ring on November 5, Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) he will be the world's one and only Senator professionally fighting as a boxer. He balanced his time well between attending sessions and hearings and his gym practices and road runs. No lawmaker cum boxer has accomplished what the eight-division ten-time world champion has done.
Incumbent US Senator Harry Reid of Nevada was once an amateur boxer but has not fought as a sitting senator. Pacquiao also helped campaign for Reid in 2010, and Reid said the Filipino boxing icon helped push him over the top and retain his seat. The US Senate Minority Leader was Chair of the Nevada Gaming Commission from 1977 to 1981.
On March 31, 2012, Quebec Canadian Senator Patrick Brazeau lost in a celebrity three-round boxing match to Liberal Member of Parliament and future Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Brazeau lost the exhibition bout by third round TKO and offered a rematch with Trudeau which Trudeau declined. The bout was held to raise funds for cancer awareness.
This time Pacquiao is aiming to become the only senator to won a world boxing title which he was able to accomplish as an incumbent congressman. He was no longer the absentee solon when he took oath in the Upper Chamber. He had a perfect attendance so far and participated actively in deliberations.
?I don?t have time any more for a lot of activities, like spending time with friends or playing basketball,? said Pacquiao to reporters. ?It?s only difficult if you are not disciplined. But if you manage your time, you can still do it. I feel good.?
Pacquiao cited his passion for the sport as a motivating factor to comeback from retirement. He wanted to give more honor to the Philippines. Whatever income he derived from boxing, a big chunk of it was given to the poor and the needy.
?I keep fighting for many reasons. Of course, there?s the prize of bringing honor to my country. And this is the first time in the history of boxing where there?s a senator fighting! I?m still enjoying boxing and happy doing this, but I?m also inspired by my new work as a senator."
We believe a great majority of the Filipinos especially the more than 16 million who voted for him as senator agreed to the cause of the world's only fighting senator.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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