BOXING icon Manny Pacquiao won’t be showcasing his legendary ring savvy to the Paris Olympics primarily because the former eight-division world professional champion is overaged.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in response to a letter from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) late last year appealing for the former senator’s stint in Paris, stressed on the 40-year-old age limit for athletes participating in the Olympics.

Pacquiao is already 45 years old.

In the same breadth, had Pacquiao met the age regulation, his possible qualification for the Olympics is to go through qualifiers, one of them last year’s Asian Games where Eumir Felix Marcial earned a light heavyweight clinching silver in Hangzhou.

“Too bad our beloved boxing icon is disqualified because of his age and that everyone needs to go through qualifiers, in all sports, to be able to participate in Paris,” POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.

James McLeod, IOC Director for National Olympic Committee Relations, wrote the POC on its request for Pacquiao to be able to box in Paris.

“The only valid boxing qualification system for Paris 2024 is the one approved by the IOC Executive Board in September 2022 published and distributed to NOCs and boxing national federations on 6 December 2022,” McLeod said in his letter.

“This includes the age limit of 40,” McLeod said.

Pacquiao, too, couldn’t make Paris under the Universality rule.

“The Universality places for the Olympic Games will not be allocated to NOCs with an average of more than eight [08] athletes in individual sports/disciplines at the last two editions of the Olympic Games [Rio and Tokyo],” Mcleod added.

The Philippines had 17 athletes in Tokyo—all in individual sports—with Hidilyn Diaz Naranjo winning the country’s first Olympic gold medal and Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio clnching silver medals and Marcial bagging bronze in boxing.

So far, the four Filipinos have qualified for Paris — world No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, Marcial and artistic gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan.

MANILA — Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao has revealed his intention to have a rematch with the undefeated American, Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The announcement was made during Pacquiao’s appearance as a guest of honor at the Risin Fighting Federation New Year’s Eve event in Saitama, Japan.

Risin executive Nobuyuki Sakakibara discussed the potential rematch with Pacquiao, who expressed his readiness and excitement for the big fight against Mayweather.

Although no specific date has been confirmed as of Tuesday, Mayweather has yet to respond.

Before facing Mayweather, Pacquiao is scheduled to have an exhibition match against Muay Thai expert Buakaw Banchamek of Thailand on April 20.

This rematch marks the first meeting between Pacquiao and Mayweather since their “Fight of the Century” in 2015.

Mayweather retired from professional boxing in 2017 with an undefeated record, while Pacquiao retired in 2021 after running for President in the subsequent year’s elections.

(IAmigo/MNM)

MANILA — On December 17, 1978, a significant chapter in Filipino history unfolded as Pinoy boxing great Manny Pacquiao was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, marking a day that would later be celebrated as a milestone in sports.

Manny Pacquiao, renowned as “Pacman,” “the Destroyer,” and “Pambansang Kamao,” made boxing history by becoming the first athlete ever to secure 10 world titles across eight distinct weight divisions. Despite hailing from a humble background, Pacquiao embarked on his professional boxing journey at the age of 16, weighing just 106 pounds in the light-flyweight category. His inaugural victory against Edmund Enting Ignacio set the stage for an extraordinary career.

Motivated by the loss of his close friend Mark Penaflorida in 1994, Pacquiao’s determination led him to Manila, where, under the management of Polding Correa and business manager Rod Nazario, he climbed the ranks of the boxing world. His breakthrough came in 2001 when he defeated Lehlohonolo Ledwaba to claim the IBF World Super bantamweight title.

Pacquiao’s journey continued with triumphs and setbacks, from winning titles in various weight classes to facing defeats against opponents like Erik Morales. His resilience and unwavering focus propelled him to venture to the United States in 2001, seeking greater opportunities in the boxing arena.

Throughout his illustrious career, Pacquiao’s accomplishments include victories over Marco Antonio Barrera, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto. His historic win against Antonio Margarito in 2010 allowed him to secure a world title in his eighth weight class.

Beyond the boxing ring, Pacquiao diversified his pursuits, engaging in acting, music recording, and politics. In May 2010, he was elected to the House of Representatives, representing the province of Sarangani, making him the only active boxer to become a congressman in the Philippines. Additionally, he served as a senator from June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2022, and holds the rank of Sergeant Major as a military reservist in the Philippine Army’s 15th Ready Reserve Division.

Pacquiao’s legacy extends beyond sports, leaving an indelible mark on Filipino history and inspiring generations with his remarkable achievements both inside and outside the ring. Source: Philippine News Agency archives

(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)

MANILA — Retired boxing legend Manny Pacquiao recently took time to personally congratulate Eumir Felix Marcial on his remarkable silver medal victory at the Hangzhou 19th Asian Games.

Notably, Marcial’s success secured him a coveted spot in the upcoming Paris Olympics, marking a historic achievement as the first Filipino boxer to qualify for the games after reaching the Asiad final—an Olympic continental qualifier.

But their meeting at Pacquiao’s Forbes Park abode in Makati City went beyond mere congratulations, with Pacquiao generously sharing valuable boxing insights with the 28-year-old pugilist from Zamboanga City, and more.

International matchmaker Sean Gibbons, shedding light on the encounter, stated, “The living legend Pacquiao was so excited to see him, he also gave Eumir some boxing tips.”

However, the real revelation emerged as Pacquiao expressed a desire to orchestrate a professional fight for Marcial right here in Manila.

The proposed event, scheduled to take place in February and sponsored by Manny Pacquiao Promotions, could serve as a prelude to Marcial’s journey to the Paris Olympics, slated for July 26 to August 11, 2024.

Gibbons shared the news, saying, “The senator wants to do a fight here in Manila…maybe in February to be sponsored by the Manny Pacquiao promotions.”

This development adds an intriguing layer to Marcial’s already impressive career, emphasizing the close mentorship and support extended by Pacquiao, a future hall of famer at the age of 44.

Marcial, maintaining an undefeated 4-0 record with two knockouts, expressed his enthusiasm for the prospect of fighting in front of his hometown crowd. The last time Marcial stepped into the ring in Manila was during the 2019 Philippines 30th Southeast Asian Games, where he clinched the gold in the middleweight class.

“I’m begging for the support of my fellow Filipinos,” Marcial said, highlighting the significance of the Manila bout and the fervent backing he anticipates from the local fans.

While Marcial will undoubtedly headline the fight card orchestrated by Gibbons, he clarified that his training regimen would remain Stateside, returning to Manila only two weeks before the official announcement of the bout.

This strategic approach ensures he receives the ideal preparation not only for the pro match but also for his Olympic campaign.

As the excitement builds around Marcial’s potential Manila fight, it underscores the continued commitment of both mentor and protege to elevate Philippine boxing on the global stage.

THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has officially requested approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the inclusion of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino confirmed that the appeal was submitted to the IOC, following the conclusion of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

“We just emailed the IOC on that issue, inquiring whether he can compete for one of the universality slots,” Tolentino said.

These universality places are designated for athletes from nations that face challenges in securing Olympic slots through conventional qualification routes. For boxing, the IOC has allocated nine slots, with five for women and four for men.

However, the age limit for Olympic qualifiers set by the Paris boxing unit is currently 19 to 40 years old, which poses a potential obstacle to Pacquiao’s bid at 44 years old.

Marcus Manalo, the Secretary-General of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, mentioned the possibility of challenging the reasoning behind the age limit, considering that Pacquiao might be in better physical condition than younger boxers.

Manny Pacquiao, who has achieved a remarkable feat of winning titles in eight different weight divisions, officially retired from professional boxing in September 2021. He had previously expressed his intention to participate only in exhibition matches after his retirement, but his potential involvement in the Olympics has raised new possibilities. (ai/mnm)

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (left) welcomes boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s desire to fight in next year’s Paris Olympics.

BOXING icon Manny Pacquiao wants to extend his legendary boxing career with a shot at an Olympic medal in Paris next year.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said on Wednesday that Pacquiao’s camp reached out on how the former eighth-division world champion could qualify for Paris.

The POC, Tolentino said, has started conferring with the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which is supervising Olympic boxing while the International Boxing Association is suspended.

“Senator Pacquiao’s camp reached out saying our Filipino ring idol wants to fight in Paris,” Tolentino said. “But the Senator can no longer vie for qualification in the Asian Games in Hangzhou next month.”

The Asian Games—an Olympic qualifier—has an age limit for athletes at 40 years old in all sports and according to Tolentino, Pacquiao, who’s 44 years old, could qualify for Paris through two Olympic qualifying tournaments set in the first and second quarters of 2024.

The third, Tolentino said, is for Pacquiao to secure a berth under the Universality rule, which the IOC would grant. There are, however, only nine places under Universality at the Paris Games—five for women and only four for men.

A close aide of Pacquiao confirmed that the former senator is willing to fight in the Olympics and that they have already reached out to Tolentino.

Tolentino also said that the ABAP, through its chairman Ricky Vargas, will welcome Pacquiao to the national team and will assist in his qualification.

Pacquiao currently weighs 66 kgs and has to choose between 63.50 kgs or 71 kgs that are on the Paris boxing program.

Professional boxers have been allowed to compete at the Olympics and in Tokyo, 43 of the 186 competitors were professionals, including middleweight bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial, who beat fellow professional, Armenia’s Arman Darchinyan, in the quarterfinals.

Prior to Tokyo, Marcial booked his first professional victory—unanimous decision over American Andrew Whitfield on December 16, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Marcial opted to delay his fifth professional fight in September and will focus on his return to the Olympics through Hangzhou where he’ll be fighting as a light heavyweight. (AI/MNM)