Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has blasted the idea of eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao fighting in the Olympic Games in Rios this August.
ABAP executive director Ed Picson announced that they are keeping a slot open in the light welterweight division in case Pacquiao decides to fight in the Olympics after Pacquiao was approached by AIBA president Dr. Wu who Offered Pacquiao a direct entry into the tournament without having to qualify
through the preliminary rounds.
Pacquiao recently said ?I am thinking about it. It would be a chance to represent my country, and I?m not closing the door on it.?
But promoter Bob Arum blasted the idea in an interview with Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review Journal saying ?It?s not only insane, it?s dangerous.
You?re going to put professionals in the ring with a 17- or 18 year-old kid? Someone?s going to get seriously hurt. These people need their heads examined.?
Arum added, ?It makes no sense. It?s a ridiculous idea. What, so they (AIBA) can make money off these guys? I don?t see it happening.?
However, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach who briefly worked with USA Boxing during the 2012 London Olympics said he wouldn?t try to talk Pacquiao out of it, and if Pacquiao wanted him in his corner for the Olympics, he would be there.
Roach revealed ?I told him he has a couple more fights left in him. We talked about him fighting in the Olympics. How realistic is it that it would happen?
I have no idea. But if Manny decided it was something he wanted to do and could do, I told him I?d support him and help him.?
Pacquiao received a hero?s welcome when he arrived at the lobby of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas after his opponent on Sunday, Manila Time, Timothy ?Desert Storm? Bradley arrived to a loud welcome from fans as they prepared for their trilogy which is likely to be the most exciting of their encounters.
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