NOW that he has won a seat in the Senate?a feat many still hang their heads upon?perhaps we can finally write finis to Manny Pacquiao?s glorious boxing career and end all talks of a comeback.
After all he himself has already officially announced his retirement, hasn?t he?
OLYMPICS. Enter the Rio Olympic Games on Aug. 5-21 where the Open Qualifying system allows pro fighters like him to join. Pacquiao has expressed his interest in joining, but cited concerns about a possible public backlash, stating that he needs to consult ? the Filipino people.?
It?s reassuring to know that Manny at least has some reservations but here?s my unsolicited advice to him:
You already ?consulted? us and the Filipino people gave you more than 16 million votes and placed you seventh among the 12 newly elected Senators.
Last time I checked , the job description for a Senator of our Republic didn?t include stints in the Olympic games.
I?ve never hesitated swimming upstream against the grain of popular opinion , and this time is no exception.
During his first term as a Congressman, Manny was reportedly present for only 98 out of 168 session days and for only four days in 2014.
I?ve had enough of bilious, moneyed politicians who get elected to the Senate and turn out to be utterly useless. At least as a neophyte Senator, Manny still has a chance to get things right.
Pacquiao has already given honor and glory to the country by virtue of his fistic exploits, and often at the expense of his legislative duties.
Enough is enough guys. We are a country that expects too much from its putative heroes . Presumptive president Rody Duterte hasn?t even assumed his post yet and the harbingers of doom are now yapping about his ?failures.? Seriously , people ?
On a practical note, there?s no denying that Manny has a very strong chance to win a gold medal in the Rio games, but remember that Manny is already 37 years old and he will be facing fighters half his age.
Obviously there?s that possibility of Pacquiao losing to a younger, faster and decidedly unknown fighter.
I know this last scenario doesn?t sit well with Pacquiao fanatics.
So it might not be so ungracious to suggest that Manny should sit this one out. The Olympics will take care of itself. Let the young guys step up to the pugilistic plate. That elusive Gold medal, we will eventually win.
You?ve done enough for us Manny at the top of the ring. Honor, prestige and glory you have given to the Filipino people.
But this time around, you have been blessed with a much more momentous responsibility : the country?s future. Stay focused on the task ahead. It may be your toughest opponent yet.
CANELO. It?s almost comical how Canelo Alvarez ( 47-1, 33 Kos) has been moving heaven and earth to avoid a possible clash with Grennady Golovkin (35-0, 32Kos)
The other week, Canelo vacated the WBC middleweight crown with the deadline to defend it against the no. 1 contender looming.
Of course, GGG was the mandatory challenger.
It?s downright shameful how a superstar like Alvarez, at the peak of his powers is putting out all the stops to prevent one of the true superfights in the sport from happening.
Part of the blame could also lie on Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo?s promoter as the latter is its current cash cow and flagship fighter and evidently not quite looking forward to the very real possibility of a Canelo loss at this stage of his career.
Either way, no matter how they traipse around it?a lot of fans will surely feel alienated by Canelo.
LAST ROUNDS. Are on the birthday boys, Atty. Pablo John Garcia and Atty. Fermin Pepito, and on amorous lovebirds Atty. Alan Siu and lovely wife Liezl who recently celebrated their anniversary. Cheers guys!
