Manny Pacquiao has decided not to pursue boxing at the Rio Olympics, according to multiple reports.
Pacquiao chose to “prioritize his legislative duties,” the Philippines boxing federation’s executive director reportedly said Thursday. Pacquiao won a Philippine Senate seat earlier this month.
Pacquiao, the 37-year-old who may have fought for the last time April 9, reportedly previously said he was “thinking about” boxing in the Rio Games, that it would be “my honor” to do so and that he needed to ask the Filipino people about it.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) could create a path for professional boxers to compete in the Olympics starting in Rio.
Pacquiao never boxed in previous Olympics, but he did carry the Philippines’ flag into the Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremony.
The Philippines has won nine Olympic medals, none gold.
