PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco is certain Manny Pacquiao will win an elusive first gold medal for the Philippines in the Olympics should the Senator-elect participate in Rio.
“He will win the gold medal. Kung weight niya ‘yung papasukan niya, mahihirapan ang kalaban,” said Cojuangco during the POC’s regular weekly program on DZSR Sports Radio.
The International Boxing Association (Aiba) is determined to change its rules to allow professional boxers to compete in the Olympics beginning in Rio, similar to what other sports like basketball and tennis have done.
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No less than Pacquiao is also being invited by Aiba to compete in the Olympics, with the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) only awaiting a formal response from the Filipino boxing superstar.
Cojuangco said he doesn’t see any problem with Pacquiao shifting from the 12-round professional bouts to the amateur Olympic boxing rules.
“Si Manny, maski anong labanan, kaya niya,” said Cojuangco.
On Thursday, Pacquiao was proclaimed as one of the 12 senators who will have a six-year term starting in 2016.
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