There was once a time when fighters started off winning Olympic glory before moving on to boxing’s professional realm. Legendary future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao appears to have his own unique spin on the scenario. At 44 years of age, the iconic fighter is looking to perhaps enter the 2024 Olympic games in Paris as a competitor.
“One hundred percent, under the right circumstances Manny would love to,” Sean Gibbons informed Sports Illustrated of a possible Olympic foray for the former 62-8-2 multi titlist. Gibbons, who runs Pacquiao’s promotional company, MP Promotions, went on to indicate Pacquiao would love “to represent the Philippines in the Olympics. He never had a chance because at 16 his family was dead broke, and he needed to go professional to help everyone.”
Abraham Solentino, the Olympic Committee President for Pacquiao’s native Philippines, has also made clear the fact that Pacquiao is interested in aiming for gold medal status. “Senator Pacquiao’s camp reached out saying our Filipino ring idol wants to fight in Paris,” Solentino claimed in a statement. Olympic boxing used to be confined to the amateur ranks. Since 2016, however, professionals have been eligible to compete. Should he enter the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Pacquiao will do so with quite a background.
In a 26 year career, the man won a whopping 13 world titles in a total of 8 weight divisions – virtually unheard of, even in an era where there are a plethora of weight categories. His last fight, a loss to Yordenis Ugas, occurred two years ago, though he has fought a successful exhibition bout since. What made Pacquiao enormously popular, however, aside from his wild number of major achievements, was the man’s thrilling ring style.
To watch Pacquiao fight was to see a fighter unlike any other, with the possible exception of Henry Armstrong. A whirling, hard-hitting, angle-shifting dynamo, the man would simply overwhelm his competition with speed and incredibly fast, thuddingly powerful bursts of punches. In short, Pacquiao fights were fun to watch. Coupled with the fact that he was as skilled as he was entertaining, the fighter known as PacMan became must-see TV.
The question, of course, is whether or not the man would perform well at his age in the 2024 Olympics. One suspects that Pacquiao would either steamroll over the competition or sadly show the age-induced decline of his once extraordinary skill set. However, the Olympic stage has often witnessed remarkable displays of resilience and determination from athletes, and Pacquiao has proven time and again that he possesses these qualities.
Entering the Olympic Games at the age of 44 would be an incredible feat in itself. Pacquiao’s ambition to showcase his skills and represent his country on the world stage is admirable. It demonstrates his unwavering dedication to the sport and his desire to leave a lasting legacy. While there may be skepticism surrounding his ability to compete with younger opponents, it is important to remember that age is just a number, and history has shown us that athletes can defy expectations and achieve greatness even in their twilight years.
Manny Pacquiao is no ordinary athlete. Throughout his career, he has consistently defied the odds and overcome countless challenges. From humble beginnings to becoming one of the greatest fighters of all time, Pacquiao’s story is one of perseverance and determination. His pursuit of Olympic glory is a testament to his champion’s spirit and his unyielding belief in his abilities.
As the world eagerly awaits the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the possibility of witnessing Manny Pacquiao step into the ring once again is an exciting prospect. Whether he emerges victorious or not, his mere presence would be a testament to his enduring legacy and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Regardless of the outcome, Manny Pacquiao will always be remembered as a true legend of the sport and an inspiration to aspiring athletes around the world.
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