Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao needed to take part on this yr’s Summer time Olympics, however the Worldwide Olympic Committee has let him know he’s been denied to characterize the Philippines.
Pacquaio, 45, wanted an exemption from the IOC to take part as a result of the age restrict for boxers is 40.
However the IOC despatched him a letter denying his request for the exemption.
It was additionally reported the Philippines themselves tried to get a “universality” entry, which is given on to the Olympics for nations that don’t have many athletes.
However that additionally wasn’t granted.
“Universality locations will not be allotted to [teams] with a median of greater than eight athletes in particular person sports activities/disciplines on the final two editions of the Olympic Video games,” the IOC mentioned in a press release. “That is the case for the Philippine Olympic Committee.”
Pacquiao has been retired since 2021, however as of February 2023, he’s posted movies of him nonetheless attempting in a boxing fitness center and appears to nonetheless have his patented fast fingers.
After all, Pacquiao isn’t as fast and agile as he was within the late Nineteen Nineties, arising as a 16-year-old phenom.
Pacquiao went on to win his first world championship, the WBC flyweight title, in December 1998.
From there, he would win seven extra totally different weight lessons: junior featherweight, featherweight, junior light-weight, light-weight, junior welterweight, welterweight, and junior middleweight.
The Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. rivalry was additionally the most effective in latest boxing historical past, as the previous misplaced in 2015 by determination.
Right now, it’s nonetheless one of the vital profitable boxing matches ever, bringing in additional than $600 million.
Pacquiao’s final professional combat got here towards Yordenis Ugas, which he misplaced in August 2021.
However Pacquiao’s affect within the Philippines has been admirable, as he served within the Home of Representatives from 2010-2016, after which as a senator.
Due to that, although, he wasn’t in a position to take part within the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Pacquiao’s profession as an expert has seen a 62-8-2 document, 39 of his wins being by knockout. He’s additionally 60-4 as an newbie.
Nonetheless, his want to take part within the Olympics comes from the actual fact he’s by no means accomplished it earlier than.
However the IOC received’t make the exemption regardless of his illustrious profession within the sport.
