Pacquiao recalls not making it as an amateur

LOS ANGELES – Now that talks about a possible Olympic stint continue to gain steam, Manny Pacquiao reminisced ironically not succeeding at the amateur level.

“Hindi ako magaling kaya hindi ako nakuha (I wasn’t good so I did not make it),” he told Filipino reporters inside his suite at the Delano Hotel in Las Vegas, a day after he defeated Timothy Bradley.

As an amateur, Pacquiao complied a 60-4 win-loss record but did not get the attention of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines.

“Dyan ako dati palagi sa Rizal (Memorial Coliseum),” Pacquiao narrated, referring to the ABAP headquarters.

“Ang daming boxers eh (There were too many boxers),” he added.

Politics, according to Pacquiao, also got in his way.

“Politics din dun eh. Hindi ako nakuha,” he said.

Now, the Philippines’ most accomplished professional boxer is playing with the thought of repeating his success in amateur boxing, which remains the country’s best chance at nailing the elusive Olympic gold medal.

“Kung i-allow nila umaban ang professional boxers sa Olympics maganda din. Yung ibang sports professional allowed na. Pwede yan,” Pacquiao said, noting how NBA players can suit up for their home countries in Olympic basketball.

“Tapos pag-isipan natin,” he continued.

“Kung sa karangalan ng bansa, why not?”