Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, a multi-weight champion with an illustrious career, has made it known that he is determined to chase an Olympic gold medal.
Pacquiao’s aspirations to compete in the Olympics came to light back in August, when he expressed his desire to go for gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Remarkably, this goal remains undeterred despite his age, as he surpasses the age limit of 40 for Olympic qualification in all sports. Witness the boxing world champions in action with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
Speaking at the launch of the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball League, the 44-year-old, who boasts a professional record of 62 wins, eight losses, and three draws, reaffirmed his commitment to this unique endeavor, stating, “[I’m] waiting for that and I’m excited about it.”
Pacquiao’s Olympic dreams date back to his youth when he first entered the world of boxing. He recalled, “From the beginning, I went to Manila to be part of the Philippine team, but I wasn’t picked, I was rejected… because they said I was not good. My heart and desire are to claim a gold medal in the Olympics.”
While Pacquiao’s determination is admirable, the road to Olympic qualification appears to be a steep one.
Nonetheless, his local Olympic governing body has expressed willingness to explore how he might earn a spot on the team. Discussions will involve the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines and the International Olympic Committee.
This announcement comes on the heels of Pacquiao’s desire for one final significant fight before retiring from the sport. Achieving this Olympic dream would be a monumental statement in a career that has seen him defeat boxing luminaries such as Ricky Hatton, Keith Thurman, Timothy Bradley Jr., Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Marco Antonio Barrera.
As the boxing legend continues to chase new horizons, the world watches with anticipation to see if ‘PacMan’ can add an Olympic gold medal to his already illustrious list of achievements. Get the latest updates from the world of boxing only on Nextbet Sports.
