BOXING icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao needs a fight in the ring to regain his ranking as a top candidate for senator in the May 9 elections.
For this reason, it is imperative that his fight with American boxer Timothy Bradley does not push through this April 9. Pacquiao said it would be his last career fight as he will go into retirement after it, no matter the result. His insistence to fight Bradley will have the added benefit of regaining the love and respect of Filipinos one month before they cast their ballots.
The Filipino boxer is favored to win the bout, his third ring encounter with Bradley, to be held in Las Vegas. Bradley won in their first match in 2012, Pacquiao took the belt in the second fight. Some analysts predicted Pacquiao would win the encounter next month because he has mastered Bradley?s style.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked Pacquiao to file a formal answer to complaints that he would gain undue advantage if he were to proceed with the fight to be shown worldwide on pay-per-view. Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista earlier said he did not think the poll body could stop the fight.
Former Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello and former senator Rene Saguisag have asked the Comelec to stop the fight because it will be free publicity for the senatorial bet. Once Pacquiao files his answer, the Comelec en banc would meet and decide on the next step.
But the Filipino boxer appears determined to take on Bradley as scheduled as Pacquiao?s training has gone on full swing. Reports quoted his handlers as pointing out that not showing the fight in the Philippines on pay-per-view would be a great disservice to Filipinos.
The upcoming boxing match is seen as a way for Pacquiao to regain his ranking after survey results showed him dropping low, almost out of the top 12 positions for senator. His drop in ranking was linked to his controversial statements against same-sex marriage.
He had said those in same-sex relationships were worse than animals who could recognize the difference between males and females.
Those in the gay and lesbian community hit hard on Pacquiao and sports brand Nike dropped him as endorser. Pacquiao later apologized for hurting sentiments, but he insisted on his opinion and cited passages in the Bible that referred to homosexual acts.
The Pulse Asia survey on senatorial candidates showed that Pacquiao suffered the biggest loss in ranking. From a 46.9 percent rating in early February, which put him in the 8th to 10th spot, he went down to 34.8 percent in a survey two weeks later, that placed him at 11th to 14th rank. Voters will elect 12 senators in May.
If Pacquiao insists on fighting Bradley despite calls to postpone the match, he will gain the love and loyalty of Filipino fans when he wins. He is expected to win in the ring. It would also show he is desperate to regain his footing in the senatorial race, never mind the rules of the game.
