It’s Now Senator Pacquiao
By: Sean Crose
According to reports on Tuesday, Manny Pacquiao had indeed won – or was on the verge of winning, depending on the source – a senatorial position in his homeland of the Philippines. According to ABC Online, “the winner of an unprecedented eight world championships had garnered 15.2 million votes, more than enough to enter the Senate.” Although the iconic star from Kibawe has been involved in his nation’s politics for some time, (he was made a congressman of Serengani Provence in 2010) a senate victory would (or will) reportedly change his life considerably. Unlike the Filipino Congress, the country’s senate is said to offer a more demanding schedule for the boxing great.
What this all means for Pacquiao’s fighting career remains to be seen, though he officially declared himself retired last month after a successful third fight against old foe Tim Bradley in Vegas. For Pacquiao’s retirement proclamation appeared halfhearted at times. Indeed, the man made it clear that his family was pressuring him to leave the ring behind. And probably not without good reason, as the man is pushing forty and has literally earned hundreds of millions of dollars throughout his illustrious career, which began over 20 years ago.
Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s longtime promoter, himself stated publicly that now that Pacquiao has (reportedly) won a senate seat, he has to focus on the task at hand and leave the boxing ring behind. And although some argue that Arum may well be saying such things because Pacquiao’s last fight was a pay per view bomb, there is ample evidence to indicate that the poverty stricken Philippines needs the full focus of its leaders. With a whopping one in four of all Filipinos reportedly living below the line of poverty, theirs is a nation inarguably in need of help and sound direction.
Still, the prize ring can offer a siren song that has led many to the rocks. To be sure, Pacquiao, wealthy though he may be, is known for his generosity. Another Mayweather fight could prove to be quite appealing the man, should the opportunity present itself. What’s more, many noted athletes have been known to feel unfulfilled after their sporting careers have ended. As athletic psychologist John F Murray once told livescience.com, “When your whole life has been geared toward athletic excellence, the prospects of retirement can be dreadful!” Whether or not that’s true of a sitting senator remains to be seen.