By Mark Vester
Manny Pacquiao followed through with his promise to run for a congressional seat representing the Sarangani province in Southern Philippines. He filed his certificate of candidacy on Tuesday. Pacquiao will run against Roy Chiongbian, a top executive of Eastern Shipping Lines (ESL).
Top Rank's Bob Arum had been waiting on the word regarding Pacquiao's decision to run for office. Now that Pacquiao is running, with an opponent, a proposed May 1 date for a showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. is likely out the window since Pacquiao will be on the campaign trail. Arum told BoxingScene.com on Monday that if Pacquiao runs for office, with an opponent, the Mayweather fight would have to take place on the date of March 13. Whether it's Mayweather or someone else, Arum said Pacquiao would fight in March.
Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach told BoxingScene that Mayweather is not willing to fight Pacquiao in March, at least for the moment, and the secondary plan was to move up in weight to 154-pounds to hunt for an eight world title against unbeaten WBA champion Yuri Foreman, who is also with Top Rank.
The next few weeks are going to be very interesting.
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