Rio not for Pacquiao, experts say
Manny Pacquiao’s colleagues in professional boxing are not sold on the idea of the eight-division champion attempting to give the Philippines its first gold medal in the Olympic Games, saying the move reeks of selfishness on the part of those pushing for his inclusion.
“Hindi maganda tingnan ‘di lang dahil senador na sya kundi iba ang professional sa amateur,” said boxing manager Lito Mondejar when asked about plans to send Pacquiao to the Rio Games scheduled Aug. 5 to 21 in Brazil.
According to the AIBA, Pacquiao will get an automatic berth in the Olympics as assured by its president Ching Kuo Wu.
The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) is giving the 37-year-old Pacquiao until Friday to make a decision.
Mondejar feels that Pacquiao, who retired after beating Tim Bradley last month in Las Vegas, will not gain anything if he decides to carry the Philippine flag in Rio de Janeiro.
“Mapupulaan lang sya,” said Mondejar, an original member of Team Pacquiao, a bunch of boxing old-timers who handled the day-to-day operations of the L&M Gym in Quiapo where Pacquiao started boxing professionally.
“Isipin mo ang sasabihin ng mga tao, sa kanya na ni-knockout mo yung mga bata,” said Mondejar, dead-certain that Pacquiao would run roughshod over the opposition.
Donnie Nietes, the reigning World Boxing Organization light-flyweight champion, shared the same sentiment.
“Ang makapaglaro sa Olympics ay pangarap ng mga amateurs so mas maganda kung ibigay na lang sa kanila ang opportunity na mapalaban,” said Nietes, who is in the final phase of his buildup for the ninth defense of the WBO 108-lb crown this weekend in Bacolod City.
Besides, Nietes thinks that prospective Pacquiao foes might not even put up a fight.
“Baka nga hindi pa lumaban sa kanya eh,” said Nietes, stressing that there is a huge disparity in skill level and experience between those from the amateur ranks and elite fighters like Pacquiao.
Former world super-fly and superbantam titleholder Gerry Peñalosa was even more blunt.
“Ipapahamak lang natin si Manny kapag pinilit natin sya sa Olympics,” said Peñalosa, a buddy of Pacquiao said.
“Self-interest ang pinapairal kaya gusto sya ipasok sa Olympics,” pointed out Peñalosa, insisting that “there is not enough time for Pacquiao to get ready for Rio.”
“Think about it. He is already a senator and the people want to see him work in the Senate and there are those who are pushing for him to fight in the Olympics.”
“He won’t gain anything even if he wins the country’s first Olympic gold medal,” said Penalosa, stressing that the AIBA is desperate to bring pride and prestige to its ranks.
Emil Romano, Pacquiao’s former trainer now based in the East Coast, echoed the sentiments of Penalosa, Nietes and Mondejar.
“Parang pinapababa lang nya ang sarili kapag lumaban sya sa Olympics. Gampananan na lang nya ang pagiging senador nya,” said Romano, who trained from 1999 until 2001.
The ABAP’s move to convince Pacquiao to wear the country’s colors is also being supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) with president Jose Cojuangco Jr. assuring everyone that Pacquiao is the favorite for the gold medal.
Pacquiao, who was elected as senator during the May 9 elections, has expressed the desire to lead the Philippines but is bothered by what the public will say.
“Magbubukas pa lang kasi ang senado kaya’t iniisip ko ang sasabihin ng mga tao,” said Pacquiao, who will formally assume the post of senator at noontime of of June 30.
But Manny Lopez, former head of the ABAP, has a different take on Pacquiao’s Olympic bid.
“It doesn’t matter because they’ll be fighting in the same weight class and if Manny doesn’t train, he might lose to an amateur who will go into the fight in top shape,” said Lopez.
“The bottom line is the preparation. Pacquiao’s (potential) foes will train hard because they know that they’ll be up against him and they have everything to gain and nothing to lose.”
Lopez adds that plans to recruit Pacquiao only prove one thing.
“The sad state of Philippine sports… kailangan pa ba nating kunin si Pacquiao para makapag-medalya tayo?”