Politics is Manny Pacquiao's Next Battleground

Popular Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao said in a television interview the other day that he is indeed running for congressman in the Philippines representing his district in the coming elections next May.

Popular Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao has been rumored to be salivating the presidency of his native Philippines where he is regarded as a hero of sorts. The rumor is just that - rumors. There is no truth to the claims that he is aiming his punches and jabs on the presidency. But it is true that he is running for a congressional seat to represent his constituents in the next Philippine congress which will elect its members exactly a year from now. Manny Pacquiao is so popular in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world. His running for an elected post in his home country may become a success this time. He tried his hand in politics during the last elections almost three years ago but lost. His constituents were then opposed to his mixing politics with his boxing profession. But Manny Pacquiao believes as he declared that he can best serve his constituents and countrymen if he has a mandate from the people. And so he announced in a TV interview the other day that he is indeed running for a congressional seat in the coming elections next May. What is Manny's chances of winning? His constituents will most probably vote for him this time around. First of all, he is due to retire from boxing in a year or two. If he wins over Ricky Hatton, he might fight one last time, probably against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. if he finally decides to fight once more after hanging his gloves almost three years ago. Mayweather has declared his intention to fight Pacquiao if he wins over Ricky Hatton on Saturday. A Pacquiao-Mayweather match could be Manny's last and ultimate fight. It could happen before Manny starts campaigning for a congressional seat in the next Philippine congress. If he wins over Mayweather, he may decide to retire with an awesome boxing record and probably the best pound-for-pound boxer of all time. If he fails to win over Mayweather , he may decide to continue fighting beyond this year - for money - and for ending his boxing career with a winning record. If this happens, Manny Pacquiao will become the first congressman who will mix politics with boxing. In the meantime, Pacquiao declared that he is 100% ready for Saturday's big event (Sunday in Manila). Manny's coach and trainer Freddie Roach has consistently said that Manny will win over Hatton by knock out. But Hatton's trainer, Floyd Mayweather, Sr. said that boxing fans will see a different Hatton in action and felt very confident he will emerge as the winner. The two popular boxers will collide on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas Nevada.