Arum voiced his reservation, saying Pacquiao’s proposed participation is unrealistic while World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman is opposing the AIBA proposal for the safety of the boxers and for other reasons.
“It’s good for so many young Filipino professional boxers if ever it happens. It boosts the chance of the Philippines to end the [Olympic gold medal] drought,” Arum told The Manila Times in a phone interview. “But if you’re going to ask me about Manny’s participation, it’s unrealistic.”
Arum said Pacquiao may not qualify even if the AIBA proposal is approved because it only includes professional boxers who have fought less than 15 paid fights.
“As far as I know, the plan of AIBA is to allow professional boxers who have only less than 15 paid fights to compete in the Olympics,” Arum said. “In Manny’s case, he fought many times or more than 15 in the professional rank, same goes with Nonito [Donaire Jr.]. I have no any idea if they changed the rule.”
For his part, Sulaiman said AIBA doesn’t seem to care about the well-being of fighters as he also criticized the International Olympic Committee Executive Board for allowing boxers to participate without head guards.
“By matching amateurs against professionals and eliminating headgear, AIBA is showing that it does not seem to care about the physical well-being of the fighters or the correct practice of the sport around the world,” Sulaiman said. “How can multi-day boxing tournaments be conducted safely and fairly without headgear? The youth of the world deserve to have the options and opportunities in amateur boxing,” he added.
When asked about his thoughts on his proposed participation in the Rio Olympics, Pacquiao said he will be pleased to join even if he doesn’t get paid.
Why not? For as long as it’s for the country!” Pacquiao told veteran writer Eddie Alinea.
“It’s a big honor to be invited to this landmark event that will give small countries like the Philippines chances of winning Olympic medals. Good for us, good for boxing. Good for sports in general,” Pacquiao said.
AIBA president Dr. Ching Kuo Wu is reportedly agreeable to offering Pacquiao a wild card ticket straight to the main draw without going through qualifications.
If Pacquiao gets the nod of the Olympic regulators, Arum would likely allow Pacquiao to participate because his major concern is just the cap on the number of fights that the boxer had as a pro which is less than 15 as he recalled.
Philstar’s Quinito Henson writes: “With Dr. Wu’s latest pronouncement, it appears that AIBA will no longer set limits as regards pro records. Pacquiao, for instance, has figured in 64 pro fights so far. Whether AIBA will require pros to sign waivers or not isn’t certain. Pacquiao, 37, is within the age limit for Olympic boxing where the range is 19 to 40.”
While it is true Pacquiao may be restricted by specific provisions in his contract with Top Rank, Arum should understand that Pacquiao is doing it for the country in the hope that he could give the Philippines its first Olympic gold medal.
Pacquiao is set to retire after his April 9 fight but no one can prevent him from coming back. Besides, he still owes Arum one more fight this year.
