Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao gets clicked with fans as Qatar Boxing Federation president and Local Organizing Committee (LOC) executive director Yousuf Ali al-Kazim looks on at the Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Arena yesterday. PICTURE: Mamdouh
By Satya Rath
Doha
Manny Pacquiao is retiring. After 57 wins (that includes 38 knockouts), six losses and two draws, the 36-year-old Filipino boxing icon has sent out strong signs that he is ready to hang down his gloves.
But before that, he will fight one big, and final, fight. And that fight, in all likelihood, could happen in Doha.
“I would love to have my last fight here in Qatar, and my team is now working towards that. I don’t know who my opponent will be. It could be Amir Khan, it could be (Danny) Garcia, it could a rematch with (Floyd) Mayweather, I am ready for anyone. And it would be great to have that fight in Doha,” Pacquiao, who is in Doha as a special invitee for the on-going World Boxing Championships, said yesterday. This is his first visit to Qatar.
The ‘People’s Champion’, as he is popularly known back home in the Philippines, joined the vociferous fans in the afternoon session of the competition yesterday to cheer for his fellow countryman Rogen Ladon as he took on Mexican number one and two-time PanAmerican Games champion Joselito Velazquez in the 84kg pre-quarterfinal bout. And Ladon didn’t disappoint his idol, scoring a sensational upset to storm into the quarter-finals.
“It’s a nice surprise to see so many Filipinos here, it kind of feels like a home away from home. It’s also great to see the World Championship in this region for the first time. It’s important to reach out to new generations and new places, which is why I have come to Doha to offer my support,” Pacquiao added.
Pacquiao, who lost a points decision to the unbeaten and now-retired Mayweather in his last fight, plans to run for a seat in the Philippines senate in the national elections, scheduled for May 2016. He has also undergone a rotator cuff surgery, which may have forced him to give serious consideration to his future in the sport, since that defeat.
“I think it’s time to focus on other things. I’ve been in boxing for more than 20 years now. If you are a senator, your focus should only be on your job and your family. It’s a big responsibility. I will have to give up the other things that require my attention,” he said.
Which is tougher—being a boxer, or being a politician? “Both are different professions, but you have to work hard and with dedication for both. Being a public servant makes you responsible and accountable. I believe I can now help more people, especially the poor and the needy. The voters can visit my province and see what I have done for my people.”
Earlier, Pacquiao was accorded a warm welcome to Qatar by Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) secretary general Dr Thani Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, AIBA president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu and Qatar Boxing Federation president and Local Organizing Committee (LOC) executive director Yousuf Ali al-Kazim.
After landing here in the early hours yesterday, Pacquiao visited Corniche to have a view of the city’s skyline before holding a meeting with Dr al-Kuwari, Dr Wu and al-Kazim. The discussion, it is believed, was mainly focused on the intriguing prospect of Doha hosting Pacquiao’s next, and potentially final, bout.
“It’s amazing to be here in Qatar and it feels great to be here when the city is hosting the World Championships. This is my first time in the Middle East, and although I’m here just for a quick visit, I really want to come back and spend more time here. The people are really warm and friendly. It seems like the country is investing heavily in sports, which is something I really admire as people get to chase their dreams of becoming professional athletes. It was great to learn about Qatar’s 2030 Vision, which I think all countries can learn from,” Pacquiao said after the meeting.
Dr al-Kuwari said: “Manny Pacquiao is a legend who unites sports fans worldwide and is a perfect role model. We are extremely proud to welcome him to our nation especially on this unique occasion when his sport is being showcased so positively to our community in a magnificent setting at the state-of-the-art Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Arena. Everyone is excited to have Manny come to Qatar including all his fellow countrymen and he has an open invitation to return.
“As an ambitious sporting nation we want Manny to consider Qatar when he gets in the ring against his next opponent as we have the perfect ingredients, from world-class venues to passionate fans, to make it a global success. I’m quite sure it would feel like he is boxing in front of home fans with the support he would have from all the people of Qatar.”
QBF president al-Kazim added: “It’s amazing to see the universal appeal of Manny Pacquiao and the effect he has on the crowd. We wanted to set a new benchmark for the World Boxing Championships and having Manny with us has given the fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and see one of the greatest boxers of all time. We might have more stars to drop into the event in the coming days, so fans should get their tickets early to enjoy more moments like this.”
