SENATOR PACQUIAO CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS AT THE SAME TIME - POLITICS AND BOXING
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 23 Nov 2017
The world's only fighting senator Manny Pacquiao has declared publicly for the first time that he is tired with politics and has thought of quitting his job as upper house legislator. "I feel dismayed, discouraged. I want to let go because I'm not used to politicking," Pacquiao was quoted by The Philippine Star. He said he discovered that in politics, you wouldn't know what's real or not and people have many faces (a.k.a "balimbings") and he cited his frustrations in public service.
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Short of saying that in politics there are no permanent friends only permanent interests. He aired his frustrations that the lives of Filipinos have not improved. "What's important is someone who's true and sincere and truly feels for the poor," said Pacquiao who has been known to be too generous to the needy, he himself having experienced their plight. Not too many public servants used their own pockets like what Pacquiao has done, others use only government and illegal funds, to help their constituents.
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Pacquiao, who will be turning 39 next month, says he is still contemplating whether to run for re-election in 2022 or quit politics for good and is praying to God for guidance. He said he feels for President Rodrigo Duterte, who according to the eleven-time world titlist is working hard and is sincere in his programs only to be lambasted by critics in the country and internationally. It was President Duterte who even endorsed Pacquiao as "the next president" during the senator's birthday.
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Coach Freddie Roach wants Pacquiao to hang up his gloves and concentrate on his political career. "I have talked a lot about this lately with Manny about this having these dueling jobs as a boxer and as a legislator of his country, and both demand a lot of responsibility, dedication and also a lot of time," said Roach. He added could not bear seeing Pacquiao in a secondary position other than as a world champion and has discussed retirement with Pacquiao.
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"I kind of wish Manny Pacquiao would follow Cotto's lead and retire also. Being a professional boxer and a senator at the same time is very difficult. He still wants a couple of more fights. He's doing a good job as a senator right now, but not as a boxer." Serving two masters at the same time, boxing and politics, is burdensome for Manny. When he ran as senator he promised to prioritize his senate duties. But the love for boxing, his first love of the two, seems to prevail at the moment.
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Sean Gibbons, matchmaker of MP Promotions told BoxingScene that the future of Jerwin Ancajas is very, very bright, and has said it early in Jerwin's career when they did a lot of fights in Macao under Zou Shiming and under Manny Pacquiao. Gibbons said he really saw it when he beat McJoe Arroyo, who at the time was one of the top five guys in the world. Arroyo was a world champion and Jerwin got his first big test when he defeated McJoe.
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There will never be another Pacquiao but Ancajas could achieve closer to what the senator has accomplished. "Over the last few fights he's just matured more and more and like I told people, there's never going to be another Manny Pacquiao but Jerwin Ancajas has a chance to be the closest thing to do that," said Gibbons, who ranked him among the top five superflyweights in the world. "So now looking at 2018, I'd put Jerwin into that top five of the 115-pound, superfly division."
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Gibbons named Srisaket Sor Rungvisai; Juan Francisco Estrada, and Naoyo Inoue, are among the best. He is not sure yet if Ancajas is the best because he really hasn't taken on the likes of an Estrada or any of the other top guys mentioned. Gibbons added that Ancajas has been looking great because he has defeated the guys who have been ahead of him. Another edition of "Superfly" is scheduled for HBO in the coming year with Sor Rungvisai set to defend his WBC belt against Estrada.
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Can the IBF champ join Superfly 2? "So Ancajas could absolutely jump into that, of course. I have to speak to our promoter, Manny Pacquiao, I've got to speak to the manager, Joven Jimenez and see what they want to do. But 2018 looks very bright for the future of the Philippines, they have a fighter they can get behind. Anytime a fighter hits the road and tackles America like Manny did, that's where it's at," said Gibbons. "That's where everybody wants to be. I think things look very good for Jerwin."
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WBO junior bantamweight titleholder Naoya Inoue (14-0, 12 KOs) will defend his title against Yoan Boyeaux (41-4, 26 KOs) on December 30 in Yokohama, Japan. If Inoue wins injury-free, he will return to the United States for Superfly 2 card, planned for February 24. Boyeaux hasn't fought anyone near the ability of Inoue and there's less danger for a knockdown or an injury. He is already on the pound-for-pound lists, before finally coming to the US last September where he destroyed Antonio Nieves in Superfly I.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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