By Jake Donovan
He’s won more belts than any other boxer in history. However, the latest title that Manny Pacquiao has earned not only extends far beyond the boxing ring but lends confirmation as the end of his illustrious career.
The former eight-division champ and two-term Congressman has been formally named Senator-elect in his native Philippines. Pacquiao finished in seventh place among all candidates vying for the 12 open seats in Senate, totaling 16,050, 046 votes during the general election.
Because of the extensive commitment involved in holding such a position, Pacquiao insisted all through the promotion for his third fight with Timothy Bradley Jr. that the April 9 event in Las Vegas would be his last call in the pro ranks.
Pacquiao scored two knockdowns en route to a clear unanimous decision win to finish 2-1 in their three-bout series. The next fight on his mind is to use his elevated political status to further his cause to improve education and living conditions in his home land.
“Several months ago, we mounted a campaign to heed the call for help from the poor and downtrodden Filipino masses,” Pacquiao stated shortly after being proclaimed Senator by the Commission of Elections on Thursday. “We went out and joined them in their homes and places of work, we listened to their longings and assured them that a new beginning is coming.
“Over the past week, we heard those same voices strongly during the recent national electoral process. The message was very clear: Filipinos want their government back in the hands of the ordinary people. They want a new set of leaders who would stand up for their aspirations and share their goals. For that reason… I accept the challenge with utmost humility and gratitude.”
Pacquiao’s first foray into the political world came with his gaining a congressional seat in the Philippine province of Sarangani in May 2010, the victory followed up by a second-term while running unopposed in the election.
While his popularity cannot be questioned, the 37-year old has been oft-criticized during his stay in office for his sparse attendance record in legislative meetings.
The perception that he was spreading his time too thin – and focusing far more on his boxing career – undoubtedly weighed on his mind when fully committing to his Senatorial run late in 2015. Even before he settled on Bradley as an opponent, Pacquiao insisted the fight would be the last of his career, with the only exception in a ring return to potentially come as a representative for Philippines in the 2016 Rio Olympics, as pro boxers are being permitted to compete.
However, such a decision – he notes – would have to come with the approval of the people he proudly represents, as a boxer and now especially as a politician.
“I need to ask if the Filipino people will allow me to participate in the Olympics,” Pacquaio said in a statement provided by his public relations team to BoxingScene.com.
What can be ruled out – at least in the foreseeable future – is his adding to his 58-6-2 (37KOs) ring record and collection of major titles won in a record-breaking eight weight divisions.
Pacquiao’s first championship reign came way back in 1998 when – two weeks prior to his 20th birthday - he claimed the World (lineal) flyweight crown with a come-from-behind 8th round knockout of Chatchai Sasakul. His reign lasted just nine months and it wouldn’t be for another two years before his brand was introduced to a far-wider audience.
A last-minute opportunity saw Pacquiao land on the undercard of a June ’01 Pay-Per-View event headlined by Oscar de la Hoya claiming a title in his 5th weight class (going on to become a six-division champ). The southpaw replaced Enrique Sanchez in what was deemed a dangerous assignment versus then top-rated super bantamweight champ Lehlo Ledwaba.
Pacquiao made it look easy in his first career fight in the United States, dropping Ledwaba three times in scoring a 6th round knockout. The win earned him a second world title, but his first under a newly formed union with trainer Freddie Roach.
Their 15-year run together would see the wildly popular Filipino amass a ring record of 26-4-2, including title wins in seven weight classes and emerging as among the richest prizefighters in boxing history. Included along that stretch was an impressive 6-2-1 combined mark versus the trio of Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales in a four-way rivalry that helped define a golden era for the lower weight classes.
His four-fight set with Marquez is among the most-noted ring rivalries of recent times, but it’s Floyd Mayweather alongside who Pacquiao’s name remains forever linked.
As the two emerged as the best two boxers in the sport – as well as its biggest box-office attractions – an out-of-the-ring rivalry preceded their eventual, overdue meeting between the ropes. The dream matchup was more than five years in the making, best known for its stall tactics from both sides and raising greater awareness to the importance of random drug testing.
The two would finally meet last May, the event establishing financial benchmarks that will likely never be broken at least in this lifetime. The forever-building rivalry for years divided boxing fans, many of whom still feel the need to choose sides to this very day.
The fight itself was a dud. Pacquiao reportedly reaggravated a pre-fight injury to his rotator cuff, leaving him as easy pickings for the game’s very best of his generation in Mayweather, who cruised to a lopsided 12-round points win.
Both have fought just once more since then before announcing their respective departure from the sport. Mayweather outpointed Andre Berto last September to run his career mark to 49-0 (26KOs), while Pacquiao called it quits following his win over Bradley in their aforementioned rubber match this past April.
Rumors have swirled of a process in place that could eventually lead to a rematch between the two. Such a return go has been suggested to have been a part of a recent settlement reached in Top Rank’s (Pacquiao’s promoter) lawsuit filed against Al Haymon (Mayweather’s adviser) and his growing boxing empire.
How well such a fight would be received by the boxing public remains to be seen, although early indications suggest that fans and media alike are good with leaving it at one-and-done.
Meanwhile, Mayweather has repeatedly teased the idea of a money-grabbing showdown with UFC superstar Conor McGregor, the only such bout he’s discussed as part of any potential ring return in the near future.
As for Pacquiao, his next few years will be spent exclusively in the political ring.
“For the millions of common folks who believe in my capacity to put into words what they cannot express; to champion the causes closest to their hearts; and to serve them in a higher and greater platform, you have just won a seat in the Senate,” Pacquiao stated to his adoring – and voting – public.
“My dearest kababayans (countrymen), the victory is really yours.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Follow his shiny new Twitter account: @JakeNDaBox_v2
