Will Pacquiao go for Rio gold?

AFTER his proclamation last Thursday along with 11 other newly-elected senators, Manny Pacquiao surprised everyone when he announced on national television that he was considering a stint in this year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

It is not for his personal glory, he said, but to make the Filipinos happy by winning our first gold.

“I’m not saying though that we are sure to win if I fight, but there is a possibility,” said Pacquiao.

For months now, Pacquiao has been keeping the Aiba (International Boxing Association) hanging on whether he would or would not hang his gloves if he is elected senator.

After his third fight with Tim Bradley last month, he reiterated he was retiring to concentrate on his political career.

But there is still that desire to cap his illustrious career by nailing that elusive first gold in the Olympics

And what if he could give the country a first Olympic gold? Wouldn’t that be the greatest gift of his boxing career?

A few nights ago, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) executive director Ed Picson paid Pacquiao a visit at his Forbes Park home, in the hope that he would at last get a final answer regarding the Pacman’s decision on the Olympics.

“Manny said he wants to do it. His only worry is that he might again be bashed by his countrymen, although this time he will be fighting not for the money but for flag and country,” Picson said.

If he could win a gold, Pacquiao thinks it would be the best way to thank the Filipino people for their never-ending support.

“Anyway, before he makes his final decision, Manny wants to feel the pulse of the people first,” Picson said.

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As far as Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is concerned though, he is vehemently against Pacquiao giving the Olympics a shot.

“That’s total madness! Can you imagine pitting a 147-pound pro like Pacquiao against a novice, a totally inexperienced amateur boxer? It’s ludicrous!” the 84-year-old Arum said.

Arum is not against Pacquiao’s retirement though.

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The way he was dressed, groomed and bejeweled, you’d think WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight champion “Prince” Albert Pagara was at a press conference at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, not in a Quezon City restaurant that serves native dishes.

Pagara was garbed in a dark blazer, his blonde hair groomed in the latest style and was adorned with jewels all over his body.

Pagara was leaving that night for California to train, almost two months before his fight with Mexican Cesar Juarez, who lost to Nonito Donaire Jr. via unanimous decision in Puerto Rico last December .

Donaire decked Juarez twice in the fourth round but almost lost the fight, salvaging the win on well-timed straights and upper cuts in the later rounds.