MANILA, Philippines – With Eumir Marcial clinching a berth in 2024 Paris Olympics boxing, the Philippines is looking forward to fielding another boxer, the legend, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao via “universality place.”
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino announced at the Hangzhou Asian Games closing that he formally submitted a request to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for an exemption, allowing "Pacman" to bypass Olympic qualifiers.
“We just emailed the IOC on that issue...if he will be allowed to bid one of the universality,” Tolentino said.
A universality place is a special privilege given by the IOC to countries that struggle to claim a spot in the Olympics.
Pacquiao, who retired from professional boxing in 2021, has expressed his sincere desire to play for the flag and country at the Olympics stage and hoping to add a prestigious plum under his legendary name.
Obtaining an exemption from the IOC, however, is no straightforward feat. The former senator, at 44 years old, significantly exceeds the Olympics boxing age limit of 40.
Despite surpassing the Olympic age limit, Pacquiao is still in almost perfect boxing condition as the former 8-division champion stages exhibition matches against other international well-known athletes.
In December last year, the “fighting pride of Gensan” fought South Korean Mixed Martial Artist DK Choo where the Filipino schooled and decked the South Korean multiple times to assert his boxing dominance.
A few months from now, Pacman will face Muay Thai myth Buakaw Banchamek in Bangkok, Thailand for another exhibition match.
In addition to his involvement in unsanctioned fights, Pacquiao is setting his sights on a professional comeback in the forthcoming months, as revealed by Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions.
Gibbons is currently negotiating Pacman’s homecoming bout against U.K’s Conor Benn which is initially slated in June next year in Abu Dhabi. Aside from Benn, MP Promotions head honcho also eyes Kell Brooks and Chris Eubanks Jr. as Pacquiao’s potential opponents.
It's not just Filipino boxing enthusiasts who are eagerly awaiting the IOC's decision to grant the Philippines' request for Pacquiao's Olympic participation; the entire boxing world is eager to witness the return of the southpaw fighter to the canvas.
— The Summit Express
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| Manny Pacquiao expressed his utmost intention to represent the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo Credit: wboboxing.com |
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino announced at the Hangzhou Asian Games closing that he formally submitted a request to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for an exemption, allowing "Pacman" to bypass Olympic qualifiers.
“We just emailed the IOC on that issue...if he will be allowed to bid one of the universality,” Tolentino said.
A universality place is a special privilege given by the IOC to countries that struggle to claim a spot in the Olympics.
Pacquiao, who retired from professional boxing in 2021, has expressed his sincere desire to play for the flag and country at the Olympics stage and hoping to add a prestigious plum under his legendary name.
Obtaining an exemption from the IOC, however, is no straightforward feat. The former senator, at 44 years old, significantly exceeds the Olympics boxing age limit of 40.
Despite surpassing the Olympic age limit, Pacquiao is still in almost perfect boxing condition as the former 8-division champion stages exhibition matches against other international well-known athletes.
In December last year, the “fighting pride of Gensan” fought South Korean Mixed Martial Artist DK Choo where the Filipino schooled and decked the South Korean multiple times to assert his boxing dominance.
A few months from now, Pacman will face Muay Thai myth Buakaw Banchamek in Bangkok, Thailand for another exhibition match.
In addition to his involvement in unsanctioned fights, Pacquiao is setting his sights on a professional comeback in the forthcoming months, as revealed by Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions.
Gibbons is currently negotiating Pacman’s homecoming bout against U.K’s Conor Benn which is initially slated in June next year in Abu Dhabi. Aside from Benn, MP Promotions head honcho also eyes Kell Brooks and Chris Eubanks Jr. as Pacquiao’s potential opponents.
It's not just Filipino boxing enthusiasts who are eagerly awaiting the IOC's decision to grant the Philippines' request for Pacquiao's Olympic participation; the entire boxing world is eager to witness the return of the southpaw fighter to the canvas.
— The Summit Express
