Even to this day, many are still wondering why a boxer as good as Sen. Manny Pacquiao never had an Olympic gold medal in his rich collection.
Not that he didn’t try to have a crack at such a remarkable achievement. The native of General Santos City said that he was not good enough back then to impress the national team coaches so they’d add him to the pool.
“Ako man nung naga-amateur ako, gusto ko. Nag-apply ako sa Philippine team nung araw sa ABAP, kaso lang hindi ako nakuha,” he told Radyo5’s Power and Play with former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala, Saturday.
“Hindi raw ako marunong. Totoo ‘yan. Hindi raw ako magaling, hindi ako marunong, kaya hindi ako nakuha sa ABAP nung araw. Kaya napilitan ako mag-professional,” added Pacquiao, who made his pro debut at the age of 16.
Still, everything turned out just fine for the 42-year-old southpaw (62-7-2, 39 KOs). He has won 12 major world titles, and is the sport’s only eight-division world champion. Many also consider him one of the greatest boxers of all time.
But just like any other Filipino, Pacquiao is hoping and praying to see the country finally win that elusive Olympic gold medal.
“Ako’y nagdadasal palagi na magkaroon tayo ng gintong medalya sa Olympics, sa tagal ng panahon na nangangarap tayo,” he said.
Fifteen athletes thus far are set to fly the Philippine flag in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. And one of those is middleweight sensation Eumir Marcial, who is among the four Filipino fighters in the contingent.
Pacquiao strongly believes that the 25-year-old from Zamboanga City has what it takes to give the country its first Olympic gold.
“Malaki ang potensyal niya na makasungkit ng gintong medalya sa Olympics,” said the fighting senator, whose MP Promotions manages Marcial.
As confident as he is with the former AIBA Youth World champion’s chances, though, Pacquiao continues to keep him grounded.
“Pinapayuhan ko nga siya na focus lang siya, ‘wag mag-kumpiyansa palagi — tsaka na siya mag-kumpiyansa pagkatapos ng Olympics. Kailangan ‘yung focus niya, determination niya nandoon,” he said.
“At higit sa lahat, magtiwala sa Panginoon dahil Siya lamang ang nagbibigay sa atin ng tagumpay at lakas.”
