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Manny Pacquiao Gets Ready For His Next Big Fight, Boxer Wants To Be Senator In 2016

By Val Powell
Published on: 21:30 PST, Oct 5, 2015

After losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. earlier this year, what has Manny Pacquiao been up to these days?

Pacquiao, 36, said he is up for another fight; not in the boxing ring but in the political arena. On Monday, he declared his plan to pursue a senatorial seat in the upcoming 2016 national elections, although he did not confirm under which party he is going to run.

“Yes, I’m going to run for (a) senate post this coming 2016 election,” the boxing champ said. “But as to which party, that’s still to be determined.”

He admitted that the Liberal Party has been trying to convince him to run under their political wing but also said that he has friends in other rival parties.

The pound-for-pound boxing hero was elected to the House of Representatives as congressman of the lone district of Sarangani in 2010, and is currently serving his second term of office. His wife Jinkee Pacquiao is the incumbent vice-governor of Sarangani.

His first attempt at entering politics was in 2007, when he ran for congress representing the 1st District of South Cotabato, but was defeated by its then incumbent representative. In 2009, after winning against Miguel Cotto and securing the WBO World Welterweight title, Pacman announced his second attempt at politics under a different political party. This time around, he was successfully elected as representative of Sarangani Province.

Pacquiao may be popular among boxing fans, but not everyone is pleased with his decision to run for senator. He has been criticized for his unsatisfactory performance in congress and has been listed among the representatives with the most absences. His large following does not guarantee his win in the national elections.

Some fans took to Twitter to react to the boxing champ’s declaration to join the senatorial race.

“Pacquiao running for senator? Yea, he’s a great boxer and he had done a lot for the country, but senatorial rank is definitely not for him,” one fan tweeted.

Another criticized the boxing champ’s dismal attendance in congress and asked, “I’ve got a lot of love for you man, but please don’t run for the Senate. You’ve been practically useless as a congressman.” Aside from boxing, the fighter also manages a basketball team, which he also plays for.

As for his boxing career, Pacquiao’s next fight could be with Amir Khan next year. Lucas Mathysse’s name also surfaced as one of his possible opponents when he returns to the ring after recovering from his shoulder surgery. Pacman suffered a shoulder injury before his billion-dollar fight with the younger Floyd Mayweather. The boxer has bagged eight world championship titles in different weight divisions. In May, Pacman lost to American boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather in a unanimous decision.

According to reports, there have been negotiations going on for the Khan-Pacquiao fight, which is supposedly set for next year. Although Bob Arum, Pacman’s promoter, confirmed initial discussions took place, he refused to verify rumors that Khan will be his boxer’s next challenger. Khan, an English boxer, used to train and spar with Pacquiao under Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in L.A., but he said he has to set their friendship aside when they step into the ring. “Although Manny and I are old friends, I will have to put that relationship to one side in the ring.”

Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley are also on the list of Pacquiao’s possible opponents for his 2016 return. However, Marquez has already sworn to reject a fifth fight with Pacman after their last showdown in 2012.

Regardless of his opponent, the fight will have to take place in Las Vegas as Arum rejected Khan’s plan to fight in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, due to high taxes in those cities.

[Image by Ethan Miller, Getty Images]

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