Manny Pacquiao could represent the Philippines in the 2016 Rio Olympics as reports revealed the former pound-for-pound king could receive an invitation to see action in the quadrennial event.
According to the Philippine Star, international boxing federation president Dr. Ching Kuo Wu is willing to give Pacquiao a wildcard ticket to the main draw of the event. It means the former world champion could compete without going through the qualifying tournament.
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While the move could work well for countries who have yet to win a medal in the Olympics like the Philippines, World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman blasted the decision. He pointed out that bringing professional boxers to the Olympics would create mismatches.
Former world Boxing Association featherweight champion McGuigan called it a "bizarre" plan, while British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith said that it is "farcical."
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However, Wu reiterated that he sees nothing wrong with it because it is the perfect time to allow professional boxers to compete in the Olympics, similar to how the International Olympic Committee gave the go signal for pros to compete in basketball since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
"We want the best boxers to come to the Olympics," Wu said. "It is AIBA's 70th birthday and we want something to change, not after four years but now. It is an IOC policy to have the best athletes in the Games and of the international federations, AIBA is probably the only one without professional athletes in the Olympics."
Pacquiao, who holds a 57-6-2 record with 38 knockout victories, will face Timothy Bradley on April 9 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. The third showdown with Bradley is reportedly Pacquiao's farewell fight.
But if given the chance to represent his country in the Olympics, Pacquiao said that he is willing to end his retirement and will even compete in the prestigious sporting event for free, GMA News reported.
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