Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao overcame the odds several times during a glorious professional boxing career. However, the former multi-weight world champion has been knocked out cold by the International Olympic Committee.
Over the weekend, the IOC has notified Olympic officials in Pacquiao’s homeland that the age limit of 40 years old for boxers will be upheld in the Paris games. This decision removes the 45-year-old ex-champion from the equation and ends his Olympic dream.
Pacquiao, who is regarded as one of the greatest fighters of his generation, could have competed at Rio 2016 when he was 38 years old. However, the future Hall of Famer had been elected as Senator for his country in October 2015 and couldn’t commit at that time.
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It's unknown if Pacquiao was willing to compete in two qualifying events that are scheduled to take place in Thailand and Italy over the next three months.
There was talk that Olympic officials in the Philippines would seek “universality” entry for Pacquiao. This is effectively a free pass given to countries who are unable to qualify due to a lack of available athletes. However, it’s been confirmed that the Philippines does not meet that criteria.
The great Pacquiao achieved everything there is to achieve during an incredible 26-year-career (January 1995 to August 2021). His championships across eight divisions (flyweight to super welterweight) is a record that will be very difficult to beat.
Signature triumphs for the former pound-for-pound number one include Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Tim Bradley and Antonio Margarito.
