Manny Pacquiao Expresses Interest to Fight in Paris Olympics
Filipino boxing legend Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao expresses interest to fight for a medal in the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Filipino boxing superstar and eight-division world champion wants to continue his illustrious career. This comes after he expressed his ambition to fight again and earn a gold medal at the Olympics in Paris next year.
According to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), the former senator contacted out and showed interest in competing for an Olympic medal in the Games in Rio de Janeiro next year. POC President Rep Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said Pacquiao’s team told him how to qualify for the Paris Games on Wednesday.
“Senator Pacquiao’s camp reached out saying our Filipino ring idol wants to fight in Paris,” said Tolentino.
“But the Senator can no longer vie for qualification in the Asian Games in Hangzhou next month,” he added, based on the report of ABS-CBN News.
The POC has already begun discussions with the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), according to Tolentino. Following the suspension of the International Boxing Association, the IOC will oversee the boxing competitions in Paris.
The Asian Games, which serves as an Olympic qualification, likewise has a 40-year-old age limit in all sports. Pacquiao, 44, can qualify for Paris through two Olympic qualification events scheduled for the first and second quarters of 2024, according to Tolentino.
The third option, according to Tolentino, is for Pacquiao to receive a spot under the IOC’s Universality rule. However, there are only nine slots available under Universality in the Paris Games, with five reserved for women and four reserved for men.
Tolentino stated that Pacquiao’s aide approached the POC, reaffirming Pacquiao’s willingness to compete in the Olympics. Tolentino further stated that the ABAP, through its chairman Ricky Vargas, will welcome Pacquiao to the national team and assist him in qualifying.
Pacquiao presently weighs 66kg, according to the article. Pacquiao has the option of fighting at 63.50kgs or 71kgs on the Paris boxing program, where professional fighters are permitted to compete.
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