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Sport

01st Mar 2016

Manny Pacquiao could be set to box at the Rio Olympics

Tom Victor

Manny Pacquiao’s mind may be on his meeting with Timothy Bradley right now, but those in his homeland want him to appear on another big stage.

The boxer-turned-politician has been offered a chance to represent his country at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, with the president of the international boxing association offering him a bye to the first round.

According to the Philippine Star, a source close to the fighter insitsts Pac-Man has not ruled out appearing at the games, the first in which professional boxers are allowed to compete.

Pacquiao’s next fight will be against Bradley, one of only three men to defeat him in his 20-year professional career, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in April.

Olympic boxers need to be aged between 19 and 40 (Pacquiao is 37), and no longer need to be amateurs.