Manny Pacquiao
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, who is running for Senator in the May 2016 national elections, speaks to supporters during the start of elections campaigning in Mandaluyong city, Metro Manila February 9, 2016. Reuters/Janis Alano

Michael Koncz does not believe it is possible for Manny Pacquiao to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics in August due to the Filipino boxing icon’s hectic schedule.

Koncz, Pacquiao’s adviser, does not see the former eight-division titlist competing in Rio for the Gold Medal over plans to allow professional boxers to compete in the Olympics. Koncz believes there is no benefit for the 37-year-old Pacquiao to participate in the quadrennial event, adding that the fight against Timothy Bradley and the upcoming national elections in the Philippines are high on the Filipino’s list.

“I doubt it if ever it happens because Manny is very busy preparing for his fight against Timothy Bradley on April 9 in Las Vegas and the election,” Koncz told The Manila Times. “Manny is running for a senatorial seat and he has no time for it.”

Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum also thinks it is “unrealistic” for Pacman to represent the country in Rio due to the lack of time and preparation.

International Boxing Association president Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu is pushing for a grand plan that would change the structure of boxing in Olympics. Wu wants professional boxers to be able to compete in the Olympics, with AIBA having already submitted new proposals for the possible amendment.

"We want the best boxers to come to the Olympic Games. It is AIBA's 70th birthday, and we want something to change - not after four years, but now,” Wu said, reports Express. "It is an IOC policy to have the best athletes in the Games, and of the international federations, AIBA is probably the only one without professional athletes in the Olympics."

In a report by the Sports Interactive Network Philippines, Pacquiao already had a discussion with Wu about the proposed plan when the two met in Qatar at the AIBA World Boxing Championships last year. The report added that Pacquiao has long been interested to compete in Rio, which could be a fitting end to the Filipino’s illustrious boxing career.

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