MANNY PACQUIAO will run to be president in the Philippines in 2022, according to his former promotor Bob Arum.
The boxing legend, 41, was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in late 2009, taking his role the following year.
Manny Pacquiao could make a run for the presidency at the next election in 2022Credit: Reuters
In 2016, he received more than 16million votes and joined the Philippine Senate, introduced as the people’s champion with his name read out in the same style as before a big fight.
And when his current term in office comes to an end in June 2022, the national treasure is being tipped to go for the very top job, currently occupied by Rodrigo Duterte.
The election to decide his successor is set for May 9, 2022 – by which time Pacquiao will be 43.
Arum told WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman: “The first president I think we’ll get as a fighter is little Manny Pacquiao, who 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.’”
Despite his role in his national politics, Pacquiao has still not hung up his boxing gloves and is instead keeping in prime condition during the coronavirus crisis.
In a staggering professional career spanning back 25 years across nine weight divisions, he has won 62 of his 71 fights.
His most recent, against Keith Thurman last July, saw him claim the WBA welterweight world title.
He won via a split decision and in the process became the oldest welterweight to win a major world title at the age of 40.
Arum no longer represents Pac-Man but there was a suggestion he was on the Zoom call with the eight-weight world champ to discuss his next fight.
Pacquiao was tipped with taking on WBO welterweight king Terence Crawford in a unification bout.
Undefeated Crawford has a perfect 36-0 pro record and is nine years younger than his potential opponent.
And it is thought the fight with ‘Bud’ could be Pacquiao’s final appearance in the ring before he turns his attention to a new kind of fight – for the presidency.
The senator became the oldest welterweight world champion when he edged out Keith Thurman last yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Manny Pacquiao looks lethal in training aged 41 in coronavirus lockdown with fans excited for ring return
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
