I get why Olympic officials bar anyone over 40 from boxing in in the Games. The rule is meant to protect athletes.
But precluding Manny Pacquiao from taking part? That raises eyebrows.
The IOC announced Sunday that it informed Philippine Olympic officials that it will not make an exception for the 45-year-old future Hall of Famer, who has expressed interest in fighting in the Paris Games this summer.
The IOC oversees boxing after stripping the troubled International Boxing Association of its Olympic credentials.
Philippine officials had explored the possibility of a “universality” entry, which is sometimes awarded to athletes from countries with few participants. However, it was deemed that the Philippines has had too much success to qualify.
That leaves Pacquiao out of Games, although he had not specially indicated whether he planned to participate in upcoming qualifying tournaments.
I think the age limit, while well meaning, is unfair and shortsighted.
Pacquiao gave a credible performance at the highest level of boxing at 42 years old only 2½ years ago, losing his world welterweight title to Yordenis Ugas by a unanimous decision. And other pro 40-plus boxers have had success.
Can anyone legitimately claim that Pacquiao couldn’t compete with amateur fighters? Of course not.
And think about the impact Pacquiao would have had on Olympic boxing had he taken part in the competition? The excitement generated when professional basketball players – including big-name NBA players – were first allowed to take part in the Games in 1992 was seismic.
Of course, I don’t believe Olympic officials care much about the future of boxing. My guess is that many of them wish it would go away. However, many of those who do care about the amateur side of the sport would’ve loved Pacquiao’s presence.
To be fair, making an exception for one fighter could open up a can of worms. Who knows how many other 40-plus boxers would’ve tested the rules?
And it’s possible that Olympic officials don’t have the resources to test the competency of older boxers, which would be a logical solution. My guess is that such testing hasn’t been raised as a possibility more because of a lack of desire than a lack of ability, though.
In other words, it could’ve been done if the powers that be had the inclination.
Of course, we don’t know how Pacquiao would’ve fared had he been allowed to take part in Olympics.
I believe he remains capable and could still throw a high volume of punches for three rounds, which would give him a chance to win some fights. At the same time, he isn’t what he used to be. He could have trouble with the speed and vigor of fighters half his age.
That’s not the point, though. He certainly could hold his own. He would give Olympic boxing a significant boost. And while I can’t say anyone deserves to be exempted from the rules – the Olympics owe nothing to professional boxing – he has given so much to the sport.
It would have been gratifying to see him realize a dream of fighting for his country. And his desire to do so certainly wasn’t unreasonable.
