Manny Pacquiao to train Chinese boxers

MANILA, Philippines – Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquaio has agreed to train young boxers in China, where he will open a Chinese government-backed boxing academy, the boxing champ confirmed on Wednesday, August 27.

Pacquiao, who is in Shanghai as part of a press tour for his November 22 bout with US boxer Chris Algieri in Macau, made the statement in an interview on ANC.

He said the Chinese government is involved in the establishment of the Manny Pacquiao Boxing Institute in China which will train its young boxers to excel in the sport Filipinos are world-famous for. He will also partner with businessmen in putting up a string of facilities in various parts of China.

“Nakikita ko na marami silang mga boxers pero kailangan ng knowledge on boxing at tulungan sila kung ano ang mga basics na pagsimula. Pero napakaraming  boxers nila – 1.3 billion ang population ng China – so I think they can produce a good fighter like other champions,” he said, when asked what development path he saw for the Chinese boxers.

(I can see that they have a lot of boxers but they need knowledge on boxing starting with the basics. They have so many boxers – their population is at 1.3 billion – so I think they can produce a good fighter like other champions.)

He said Filipino boxers are already excelling in the sport and the Philippines has no problem training its own, but added that he is already helping a few boxers back home.

Stronger PH-China ties?

When asked, Pacquiao suggested that his involvement in the development of Chinese boxing may even help improve relations between the Philippines and China, which is strained by territorial disputes.

“Makakatulong  pa ito sa ating relationship between the Philippines and China. Makakatulong ito na lalong ang relationship natin na palaging nandiyan ay patibayin. Makakatulong din especially in this project, involved ang Chinese government,” he said.

(This will help strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and China, especially because the Chinese government is involved in this project.)

Pacquiao – who is a playing coach of Kia Motors in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) on top of being an incumbent congressman, an active boxer, and a singer – said he will divide his time among his duties.

In the case of his newest duty, he said he is only required to go to the China boxing institute about “once a month or once in 3 months to supervise them.”

State-run China Central Television (CCTV) reported on August 25 that Pacquiao was in Beijing  “to work on plans to establish a string of boxing academies in the country” and that “the idea is to help grow the sport in China and provide opportunities for young people to take part.”

“Pacquiao acknowledges the vast potential of this nation’s athletes, and is eager to play a part in the development of the sweet science by opening world class training centers with state of the art technology, providing a top level platform for Chinese boxers to excel. An institution has already been open in Hong Kong, and there are plans for 16 more in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou,” the report said. – Rappler.com