Manny Pacquiao trains inside the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California on Saturday afternoon. Pacquiao and Bradley will be fighting for the third time on April 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA
There’s a spot reserved for Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao in the Philippine boxing team.
“It’s really up to him if he’s willing to join us,” boxing coach Boy Velasco said in Filipino during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association forum at Shakey’s Malate.
The International Boxing Association (Aiba) has proposed allowing professional boxers in the Olympics, a move that the world governing body will tackle and possibly ratify in a meeting next month.
READ: Is Olympic gold Pacquiao’s ‘destiny?’
The eight-time world champion has shown interest but the representative from Saranggani has been busy in his senatorial campaign lately.
“In my opinion, he doesn’t need it. To become an eight-time champion is an achievement far bigger than the Olympics,” said Velasco in the weekly forum backed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation, Accel and San Miguel Corporation.
Just the same, the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (Abap) has reserved a slot for Pacquiao, who can compete in the 64kg division.
READ: ‘Pacquiao just fine and safe for the Olympics’
Once he bites the bait, Pacquiao will take over the spot of light welterweight Dennis Galvan.
Velasco, who coached his siblings Onyok and Roel to Olympic medal-winning performances, said Pacquiao would be forced to adjust to the amateur style of fighting which gives premium on points and speed.
“But of course, he’s Manny Pacquiao. His mere presence could intimidate his opponents,” said Velasco.