Manny Pacquiao No fairytale Return

There will be no fairytale return for Manny Pacquiao he wanted to return to boxing at the Paris Olympics later this year only to be told he’s too old.

The Pilipino legend of the sport was hoping to make a return to the ring in this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris but The IOC said he is too old. Pacquiao, who is five years older than the Olympic limit was hoping to get an exception, but the IOC said that :

“Universality places are not allocated to [teams] with an average of more than eight athletes in individual sports/disciplines at the last two editions of the Olympic Games.”“This is the case for the Philippine Olympic Committee. “The IOC said.

https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/13075004/manny-pacquiaos-paris-olympics-hopes-dashed-as-ioc-refuse-to-waive-rule-for-boxing-legend

The IOC now governs Olympic boxing after they stopped recognising IBA the previous governing body, the age limit was raised in 2013 from 34 to 40 this would have allowed Manny Pacquiao to compete in the Rio Olympics in 2016, however, he was busy concentrating on his career outside of the ring been elected to the senate, in his home country of the Philippines.

Manny Pacquiao ended his legendary career back in 2021, he’s still the only fighter to have won world titles in eight different weight divisions, and his final record is quite frankly outstanding with a total of 72 professional fights, 62-8-2 with 39 knockouts.

Were the IOC right in their decision or should Manny Pacquiao have been allowed to compete and possibly add an Olympic medal to his already illustrious list of accomplishments. Even if Pacquiao was allowed to compete there is no guarantee he would of qualified for the Olympics he would of had to take apart in one of two qualifier events that are due to be held in Thailand later this month.

Like most boxing fans, I am a big Manny Pacquiao fan.What has he got to prove, if it wasn’t for his age I still don’t see the point of him competing at the Olympics because he’s already had a great career, and boxing is  a sport that’s dangerous, and you can’t play at it. Pacquiao hasn’t laced up a pair of gloves in anger since his last fight back in 2021 in a losing effort against Yordenis Ugas

In my opinion Pacquiao was out boxed for large parts of that fight, and it was clear that Father Time has caught up with him.

So if he was allowed to fight in the Olympics, he’s now 45. He had his last professional fight at 42 and it was obvious that his body couldn’t do it anymore. Now, I know that Olympic boxing is a completely different sport to professional boxing, but they are predominantly younger fighters with something to prove, whoever Pacquiao fought they would want to take his scalp. Which will be dangerous, not only for Pacquiao’s health but also dangerous for his legacy if he was to get beat by an amateur that nobody has ever heard of.

As always, I love to hear what you guys think did the IOC make the right decision not allowing the great man to compete in the Olympics?