Man’s insatiable hunger for more is happening again. Of all people, it is Manny Pacquiao personifying that. Again.
After his colossal failure to become President of the Republic following his devastating loss in the 2022 elections, Pacquiao is back to try to strut his wares again on the global stage.
This time, the Pambansang Kamao wants to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
What’s the point? Why covet for more when the pocket’s been bursting at the seams already?
Pacquiao has nothing to prove anymore. His niche in boxing is as solid as an unbreakable bank vault.
As an eight-division world champion, no one else holds that distinct honor. No one in the foreseeable future can ever surpass, or even duplicate that. In fact, it may not, perhaps will never happen again.
I was told Pacquiao had originally wanted to join the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
But he was disqualified outright on account of being overage. He is 44 already, and 40 is the age limit in the Asian Games.
But here’s a bit of good news—if it can be considered that—for Pacquiao.
As of August 23, 2023, Olympics.com says Pacquiao can qualify as a Universality Place competitor, with five slots for women and four for men allotted for next year’s Paris Games.
Olympic boxing used to be reserved for amateurs. Only in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games did officials start allowing pros to compete. Our very own Eumir Marcial, a pro, won a bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Bambol Tolentino, our Olympic chieftain, said he’s doing his best to convince the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to allow Pacquiao to go through the Olympic qualifying events.
Despite his age, Pacquiao can compete in qualifying tournaments in the first quarter of 2024 as per current Olympic rules.
He might make it. But does Pacquiao have enough gas left in his tank?
Dream big is fine. But that’s not for old fogeys, anymore. Risky.
Turning 45 in December, Pacquiao is no spring chicken anymore. Going through qualifying tournaments to make it to Paris is not only a torturous route. It is also a mental, mind-boggling test.
Pacquiao is our breathing treasure worth preserving, protecting.
Let’s stop this nonsense, please?