Manny Pacquiao’s mind may be on his meeting with Timothy Bradley right now, but those in his homeland want him to appear on another big stage.
The boxer-turned-politician has been offered a chance to represent his country at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, with the president of the international boxing association offering him a bye to the first round.
According to the Philippine Star, a source close to the fighter insists Pac-Man has not ruled out appearing at the games, the first in which professional boxers are allowed to compete.
Pacquiao’s next fight will be against Bradley, one of only three men to defeat him in his 20-year professional career, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in April.
Olympic boxers need to be aged between 19 and 40 (Pacquiao is 37), but no longer need to be amateurs.
This is despite Pacquiao’s advisor Michael Koncz saying he does not believe it is feasible for the boxer to squeeze the Rio Games into his schedule.
“I doubt it if ever it happens because Manny is very busy preparing for his fight against Timothy Bradley on April 9th in Las Vegas and the election,” Koncz told The Manila Times. “Manny is running for a senatorial seat and he has no time for it.”
