Manny Pacquiao’s success is making it hard for the Philippines to win a first Olympic boxing gold medal.

Because of Pacquio, young boys rush into professional boxing in a desperate bid to escape poverty and emulate their hero.

Manny Pinol, a former North Cotabato governor who now manages boxers, says the eight-division world champion’s fame is hindering the country’s amateur Olympic programme.

Despite a population of over 100 million and boxing’s immense popularity, the Philippines will send only one fighter to the London Olympics.

In previous Olympic Games tournaments, Filipinos won three bronze and two silver medals.

Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire (super-bantamweight), Sonny Boy Jaro (flyweight) and Donnie Nietes (light-flyweight) hold world titles in professional boxing.

"Manny’s success is hurting our amateur programme because every young boy would like to become Manny Pacquiao," Pinol said in Singapore recently.

"They don't want to be amateurs because there is no money in it. It is just a dream of an Olympic gold medal and it is actually more difficult to win than a professional world title."

Pacquiao came from a poor home and became the first man to win world titles in eight divisions. He has also been elected to congress and his feats inspire a nation.

LAS VEGAS WEALTH

Regarded as the best boxer in the world, Pacquiao has earned millions of dollars in the United States. He regularly brings the Philippines to a standstill as people stop working and flock to big screens across the country to watch him fight.

His purse for the bout against American Timothy Bradley on June 9 is a guaranteed $25 million, and he will make more from television rights.

In 2009, government statistics agency said 27 per cent of Filipinos were living below the poverty line.

Many young boxers are pushed by their parents to sidetrack the amateur game, where skills are honed and lessons learnt, to chase the wealth that Pacquiao commands in Las Vegas.

“The latest addition to our team has just turned pro. He would have made a good amateur because he is tall and has a long reach," Pinol said. "But he wanted to turn pro and his parents wanted him to turn pro."

But the path to greatness is a long, hard road and there are no shortcuts. Promising amateurs may have the power of the 33-year-old "PacMan" but no one can match his skills.

Pinol was in Singapore when one of his fighters, Lorenzo Villanueva, challenged Indonesian Daud Yordan for the vacant IBO featherweight title.

Villanueva, a quiet, timid man but an immensely powerful puncher, knocked his opponent down within 20 seconds of the first round. But because of his inexperience he was knocked out in the second.

FATHER MURDERED, MOTHER LEFT

The 26-year-old Villanueva’s father was murdered when he was a boy. His mother left shortly afterward, leaving him to raise his brothers and sisters. His dream of accumulating enough money to send his siblings to college has been delayed by the defeat.

“Lorenzo is a product of a programme I started in 1998 when I became governor," Pinol said.

He formed a team, built a ring, acquired gloves, went from one village to another and asked young boys to box. The winners earned 100 pesos and the loser 50.

"It is not the only way but when you have the talent and the power and you are inspired by Manny Pacquiao, you immediately turn to boxing. But not everyone can be Manny Pacquiao."

Pinol acknowledged Villanueva's lack of technical skill. Because of his background the boxer turned professional too early.

Pinol hopes to send two fighters from his stable to the 2016 Olympics.

He wants his school, where three of his 40 fighters have challenged for world titles, to be extended around the country.

"It is the only way to do it. Cuba did it and won a lot of gold. Ukraine are doing it and winning a lot of gold. We have to look at these models if we want to win gold for the Philippines."