Manny Pacquiao on competing in Olympics: 'It would be my honor'

Manny Pacquiao said he was retiring from boxing to serve his country as a politician. Last October, he told his promoter, Bob Arum, that his April 9 fight would be his last and he would focus on a full-time career in politics as he prepares to run in mid-May for one of the 24 national senate seats in the Philippines.

But what if Pacquiao could continue to be of service to his country while boxing? That’s an opportunity that may present itself if the proposed rule change that will allow professionals to compete at this summer’s Rio Olympics. And if Pacquiao has the chance to win a gold medal for his home country, it appears that he would make an exception to continue his boxing career.

"It would be my honor to represent the country in the Olympics," he said to Agence France Presse. "If I would be asked to represent boxing, why not? I would do everything for my country."

Pacquiao is a highly decorated professional boxer who is also the sport’s first and only eight-division world champion. Although he has been adamant that the final fight of his 21-year pro boxing career will be against Timothy Bradley on April 9, the circumstances surrounding the opportunity to represent his country and add another accolade to his vaunted mantle is certainly something he would consider.

The International Boxing Association will vote on the proposed rule change to Olympic boxing in May and with the games beginning on Aug. 6, Pacquiao will have more than enough time to make a decision as to whether he will follow through with his retirement or step into the squared circle one more time for the sake of his country.