Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao expressed his happiness towards Mexico’s Isaac Cruz, who won the World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight title and became MP Promotions’ first-ever non-Filipino world champion.
Pacquiao declared in a statement: “So glad to see Mexican Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz rise to the occasion to become a world titleholder under our promotion.” He was amazed by the growth of the 25-year-old boxer, who first signed with MP Promotions in 2019 and went on to defeat American champion Rolly Romero to win the world title.
Pacquiao on Cruz
Cruz currently has a 26-2-1 win-loss-draw record with 18 knockouts. He defeated Romero with a barrage of strong blows on his way to an eight-round technical knockout victory and the WBA title. Sean Gibbons, the president of MP Promotion stated that Pacquiao and Cruz share many similarities, including their status as family guys and are dedicated and skilled boxers.
“When they met, Sir Manny said this gentleman is so humble, he is a family man, and he loves spending his time with his kids and wife. He doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t drink, he doesn’t do any bad habits similar to the senators, and both of them are great persons,” said Gibbons towards Cruz.
With this, Pacquiao said Cruz the embodiment of a true hard-working warrior. His boxing skills, power and speed are honed by years of his sacrifice in training and learning.
According to Gibbons, MP Promotions has recognized the long-standing Hispanic connections between the Philippines and Mexico, particularly in the boxing world. For this reason, Pacquiao highly appreciates the capabilities of every boxer from both countries, specifically because of their bravery.
Rosegie Ramos, a 20-year-old weightlifter from Zamboanga City, Philippines, has successfully claimed her spot in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
After winning the women’s 49-kilogram Group B division and lifting 87 kg in the snatch and 103 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 190 kg, she had clearly paved her way to the biggest sports event in the world.
Along with boxers Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas, and Nesthy Petecio, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, and pole vaulter EJ Obiena, Ramos is now a member of the Filipino athletes headed for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ramos – Current Ranking
Ramos is the current Asian Junior Champion in the women’s 49-kg class. To qualify for the Olympic Games, she had to maintain her current ranking in the Summer Games. With her determination and commitment, she presently ranked eighth place in the Olympic rankings after five qualifying events.
She bravely declared: “All the hard work was worth it. I’m going to Paris.”
Ramos has been working out at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and has been closely monitored by her coach, Tony Agustin.
“I’m still targeting a specific lift where I could compete with the best in the weight category. I’ve been working on it every day and hopefully achieve the goal in the Olympics,’’ said Ramos.
Manny Pacquiao, 44, is no doubt one of the best boxers in the world. With twelve major titles in eight different weight divisions, a stellar record of 62 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses, and the title of “Boxer of the Decade” from the World Boxing Council, Pacquiao remained a boxing icon despite retiring in 2021.
To add to this achievement, Pacquiao also ran for senator in the Philippines in 2015 and won the elections in 2016.
But this boxer-turned-politician has one more dream that he has yet to fulfill: winning a gold medal in the Olympics. It had always been a dream of his ever since he was young, but since he needed to financially support his family, he decided to postpone this dream and train to become a professional instead. In 1995, he finally became a pro and started to compete for world titles.
Fast forward to the future Pacquiao is now the living legend of the boxing arena
But what many didn’t know was that in the 2016 Rio Olympics, Pacquiao had the chance to fulfill his dream of being hailed as a gold medalist, as it was during this year that the International Boxing Association (IBA) lifted the restriction on professional boxers from competing in the Olympics. But having recently won a seat as a senator in his country, he opted out and focused on serving his countrymen.
This year, however, the boxing champion is more determined than ever to join the 2024 Paris Olympics. According to POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Pacquiao’s camp contacted him on Wednesday to discuss how the eight-division world champion can qualify for the Paris Olympics.
“One hundred percent, under the right circumstances, Manny would love to compete],” Gibbons wrote in a text message. “[It has] always been a dream of his to represent the Philippines in the Olympics. He never had a chance because at 16 his family was dead broke, and he needed to go professional to help everyone.”
“Senator Pacquiao’s camp reached out, saying our Filipino ring idol wants to fight in Paris,” Tolentino said. “But the Senator can no longer vie for qualification in the Asian Games in Hangzhou next month.”, Tolentino said.
Tolentino also stated that the POC has begun discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is overseeing Olympic boxing while the International Boxing Association (IBA) is suspended, and the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP).
Three options were explored for Pacquiao this year, through the Asian Games, through the Universality Rule, and through the two tournaments next year.
The first option was already ruled out as the Asian Games, an Olympic qualifying event, have a 40 year-old age limit in all sports.
The next two options are then his only chances of ever joining the PH team in the Paris Olympics next year. Tolentino explained that he could either join the PH team by winning in the two tournaments that will commence in the first and second quarters of 2024 or by securing one Olympic spot (out of four spots available for men) under the Universality rule from the OIC.
Tolentino also said that the ABAP, headed by their chairman, Ricky Vargas, will be able to accommodate Pacquiao on the national team and help him in the qualification process. Pacquiao is currently weighing in at 66 kilograms, but he can choose between 63.50 kilograms and 71 kilograms for the Paris boxing program.
The International Boxing Hall of Fame recently announced that Manny Pacquiao, one of the most accomplished boxers in history and a well-known athlete from the Philippines, has been elected to the Class of 2025.
Pacquiao said: “I am so happy that I have been selected to enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This certainly is a wonderful Christmas gift.”
He added: “Throughout my career, as a professional fighter and a public servant, it has been my goal to bring honour to my country, The Philippines, and my fellow Filipinos around the world.”
Who is Manny Pacquiao?
One of the greatest offensive fighters in the history of the sport, Pacquiao won world titles in a record eight weight classes, ranging from flyweight to super welterweight. His lightning-fast footwork and lightning-fast punches made him a force to reckon with in the boxing ring.
After 62 victories, 8 defeats, and 2 draws in his 72-fight career, the Filipino hung up his gloves, announcing his retirement from boxing in 2021.
In 2009, Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential persons in the world. He also became the first Filipino athlete to be portrayed on a postage stamp.
He is also a former senator who ran for the Philippine presidency in 2022.
World Boxing Superstar Manny Pacquiao had announced his retirement from his career three years ago. However, his presence was well-known although he has not left the boxing scene all these years, and there are still rumors about his possible comeback anytime soon.
Pacquiao prepared for comeback
Recently, Pacquiao went to Saudi Arabia as one of the advisers at the Royal Court Turki Al-Sheikh for the heavyweight bout between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou.
During Joshua and Nganno’s weigh-in, he went to face off undefeated British boxer Conor Benn which became the talk among speculators. Could Conor Benn and Pacquiao fight one another in a huge 147lb bout, some are asking!
Sean Gibbons, Manny Pacquiao’s right-hand man and head of MP Productions, called what happened as a “feeding frenzy like the fight was happening.”
Gibbons said, “Manny Pacquiao has had the itch to fight ever since his political campaign ended… So if the opportunity comes up and his excellency wants this fight in Saudi Arabia, Manny Pacquiao is ready to go.”
More so, Al Sheikh, the one who oversees the sports and entertainment events in Saudi Arabia, is more than ready to witness Pacquiao make a reappearance in his country, which is now considered as a hub for boxing competitions.
In other news, Anthony Joshua hopes to defeat Francis Ngannou and make his own statement.
Known for his tenacity inside and outside the ring, legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao hasn’t given up on his Olympic dream just yet and is now hoping to secure the much-coveted berth through universality rule.
Pacquiao had his sights set on the Olympic gold since he was a little boy, even before turning pro. But because of his financial situation and lack of resources, he was unable to realize his dream of being an Olympian and instead turned to professional boxing to compete for world titles.
In 2016, when the International Boxing Association (IBA) revised their rules and allowed for the pro boxers to join in the games, Pacquiao had the chance. But, as he ran for Senator and subsequently won, he had to deter his dream once again as he had to prioritized the well-being of his country and serve the citizens.
Now 44 years old, Pacquiao finally found his freedom to compete in the Olympics but has been blocked by Olympic qualifying events, such as the Asian Games, as it had an age limit of 40 years old.
Pacquiao and his dreams
Determined to make his dreams a reality, Pacquiao didn’t give up and now eyes the universality rule as a way for him to secure a berth.
“I believe that age is not a barrier to fulfill our dreams,” said Pacquiao. “A clear heart and mind always finds its way to realize our dreams. I believe it is not too late to fulfill my dream of bringing home a boxing gold medal from the Olympics for the Philippines.”
ABS-CBN reported that Tolentino had already contacted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) via letter to inquire about Pacquiao’s eligibility under the universal rule.
“I am grateful to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), under the leadership of Abraham Tolentino, for making a recommendation to the IOC to process my eligibility to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games,” Pacquiao said as per ABS-CBN.
With nine universality slots available in boxing—four for men and five for women—POC and Pacquiao are currently clinging to the prospect of obtaining the spot and having the opportunity to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
