Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao will soon retire from boxing as old age is fast catching up to him, and in order to sustain his popularity in the sport, he needs to get himself involved in basketball, the Philippines’ top-rated sport
Pacquiao has to remain popular after his boxing career is over because he makes extra money on endorsements. If he isn’t popular, no sponsors will hire him to endorse their products or services. Pacquiao’s foray in pro basketball is calculated to boost his popularity rating even more. And when his boxing career is over, he has basketball to lean on and to keep him popular.. In a recent survey, Pacquiao’s awareness rating was 97 percent, which means that almost everyone in the country knows him. This popularity rating translates to more endorsements as advertisers are continually looking for endorsers to sell their products or ideas. The other reason why Pacquiao needs to sustain his popularity rating is his plan to seek higher political post in the 2016 national elections. Being known to almost everyone even in the countryside where boxing and basketball are shown and heard on television and radio, Pacquiao needs only to influence them to vote for him. Pacquiao has been severely criticized for his move to play in the pro league as playing coach of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) expansion team Kia Sorento while preparing for his WBO welterweight title defense against unbeaten American Chris Algieri. It appears that Pacquiao did not intend to join the league to excel in the game, knowing his height limitation and limited exposure as amateur before turning professional basketball player. Seemingly, Pacquiao will concentrate more on his coaching job while making quick entry into the game whenever possible or when the team is safe and way ahead on points. Pacquiao brings his boxing popularity into the basketball game as shown during his debut at the huge Philippine Arena, which needed to be filled with warm bodies to its 55,000 sitting capacity. The eight-division world champ was largely credited for bringing in a record of 52,000 to the world’s largest indoor arena during the opening games of the 40th season of PBA.
Manny Pacquiao with lovely wife Jinkee and the Kia Sorento team Jun Aquino/MP Promotions Like this image Pacquiao has thought of retiring in about a year or two but with his anticipated knockout win against Algieri on Nov. 22, he would certainly be goaded to continue fighting as long as he keeps on winning. But if he falters in one or two of his upcoming fights, he would still have basketball to keep him popular and if he makes good as coach, he can stay popular beyond his boxing career. At the end of the day, popularity is still the name of the game for Pacquiao as more endorsements will come and tons of money will still be made so long as he remains popular.
