MANILA, Philippines - As much as he was destined to become a congressman, Manny Pacquiao is also destined to become the greatest boxer of all time.
‘It’s all part of his destiny,” said one of Pacquiao’s advisers, Wakee Salud, over the phone yesterday.
Salud said that with the elections over, Pacquiao can start thinking of the fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., deal the American his first loss, and then maybe retire from boxing.
Salud agreed with Michael Koncz who said Pacquiao should be happy with a fifty-fifty split of the purse with Mayweather.
“Fifty-fifty should be okay. I can’t believe when people say that this fight is not going to happen. Everybody wants it. Everybody needs it,” said Salud of the fight that could take place on Nov. 13 either in Las Vegas or Dallas.
“It’s also Manny’s destiny to be the first boxer to beat Mayweather in the ring. Then he can retire and be remembered as the greatest boxer of all time -- not just of his era but of all time,” added the respected boxing figure.
“Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto don’t deserve Manny anymore. It’s only Mayweather out there. They can do it best-of-three and they can both retire from the sport,” said Salud.
“Then Manny can focus on being a congressman, maybe run for senator, then vice president then president. All he needs is to build a good track record. Tell me, why can’t he make it?”
Salud, the amiable matchmaker from Cebu, said Pacquiao proved a lot of people wrong when he won the elections in Sarangani and became the first active boxer to become a congressman.
“I myself was against his running because I knew he doesn’t have the experience. A lot of people were against it. Even his wife and mother. But he learned from his mistakes in the 2007 elections and beat a Goliath,” said Salud.
Pacquiao won by a landslide, beating Rey Chiongbian practically in all seven towns of Sarangani, and even won in some places that he didn’t even get to visit during the campaign.
Now, Pacquiao has to return the favor, and Salud has no doubts he can.
“I see the province of Sarangani booming. Manny has lots of friends who can help him do that. He was destined to become a congressman and help the poor. He gambled and won,” said Salud.