Boxer, Manny Pacquiao Dismisses Talk That He Wants To Run For Philippines President

June 10, 2020

According to eight-division boxing world champion and incumbent Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao, he didn’t discuss any politics with former long-time promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Boxing.

Pacquiao was the focus of headlines earlier this week after Arum shared that the Pinoy boxing star expressed his desire to run for president.

“(He) told me, once again, I did a Zoom telephone call with him, ‘Bob, I’m gonna run in 2022, and when I win, I want you there at my inauguration,” Said Arum in an undated video.

Pacquiao however, denies talking politics with the legendary promoter.

In an interview with ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo, Pacquiao said that he never told Arum anything about running in 2022. Instead, they did talk about the proposed superfight between himself and WBO Welterweight World Champion Terence “Bud” Crawford.

“Nag-usap kami about Crawford, pero hindi naman namin pinag-usapan ‘yung politics,” Pacquiao said.

 

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Manny Pacquiao and Bob Arum

Arum has been talking about a possible Welterweight Superfight between Pacquiao, the reigning WBA (Super) Welterweight World Champion and Crawford, even possibly bringing the bout to Bahrain.

That bout would pit the 41-year old Pacquiao, a future boxing hall-of-famer and the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, against the undefeated 32-year old Crawford, one of today’s best pound-for-pound fighters.

“Yes, we discussed the fight against Terence Crawford. Wala namang problema, maganda ‘yun,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao however says that he will take safety into consideration before he returns to the ring.

“(Lalaban tayo) pagka may vaccine na ‘yung corona virus.”

“Depende naman pagka safe na ang mga tao at para for my own good,” Pacquiao added.