Pacquiao's Desire To Appear At The 2024 Paris Olympics IOC Rejects

Manny Pacquiao failed to appear at the 2024 Paris Olympics (Instagram/@manypaquiao).

JAKARTA The desire of Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao to fight at the 2024 Paris Olympics has been rejected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IOC raised the age limit for boxing from 34 to 40 in 2013. Therefore, 45-year-old Pacquiao has crossed the line.

The IOC declined to make an exception for the eight division world champion or in other words did not want to change their rules.

Pacquiao, who hung up his boxing sarong in 2021 before failing to run for President of the Philippines, said he respected the IOC's decision.

"Even though I am very sad and disappointed, I understand and accept age limit rules," Pacquiao said in a statement.

The Philippines last year asked the IOC to provide a universal place for Pacquiao, who had never previously competed in the four-year-old's largest multi-event.

Places of universality are usually given to athletes from small countries who struggle to get a place in the Olympics through qualification in general.

The President of the Philippine Olympic Committee, Abraham Tolentino, last week stated that the IOC's decision would cost his country the podium or the first gold medal for boxing at the Olympics.

Pacquiao said he would continue to support and encourage Filipino athletes competing in the Olympics.

He also reminded his fans, even though he is retired, he intends to bring pride and honor to his country in the boxing ring in the near future.

A Pacquiao aide confirmed to reporters on Monday, February 19, 2024, that Pacquiao will face Thailand's kickboxer, Buakaw Banchamek, in an exhibition match on April 20, 2024 in Bangkok.

The match against the legend muay thai Buakaw will be based on international boxing regulations.