Manny Pacquiao Inspires Boxing Arch-Nemesis To Run For Congress

KEY POINTS

Juan Manuel Marquez will be running for Mexican Congress this year
Marquez says that his inspiration to become a public servant is former rival Manny Pacquiao
Marquez and Pacquiao fought four times in their careers

Eight-division boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao is indeed an inspiration.

The sport’s only eight-division champion has the classic rags-to-riches underdog story and is a testament to what hard work, determination, and dedication can do.

In his home country of the Philippines, Pacquiao is widely regarded as the country’s biggest sports icon and is idolized by millions.

His accolades and accomplishments in the boxing ring, in fact, have helped him transcend sports and become a recognizable figure in entertainment and even politics.

Since 2010, Pacquiao has been a public servant in the Philippines, serving two terms as a congressman. He is currently on his first term as a senator.

As it turns out, Pacquiao doesn’t only inspire fans but former rivals as well.

Juan Manuel Marquez, a four-division world champion, Mexican boxing icon, and a multiple-time Pacquiao opponent, shared that he was inspired by his former foe to run for public office.

Marquez will be running as a 2021 Chamber of Deputies candidate for the Gustavo A. Madero borough.

"I would like to work for the common good of the citizens, in this case where it corresponds to me to do so," Marquez stated at a press conference in the Martin Carrera neighborhood. "And I did it in the ring against a fighter who is going to run for president of the Philippines, who was a representative, who is a senator, and who may be president of the Philippines because he has done well and that serves as an example to be able to do it here.”

"I'm going to deliver a knockout to corruption," he added.

Earlier this year, rumors began to swirl regarding Pacquiao’s intentions to run for President of the Philippines in the 2022 elections.

No matter whose side you take on the results of Saturday's Marquez vs. Pacquiao 3 HBO pay-per-view title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the doors have swung all the way open for Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to finally fight Manny Pacquiao in a mega bout. Reuters

Marquez and Pacquiao make up one of the most talked-about rivalries in the smaller weight divisions of boxing.

The two first crossed paths back in 2004, with the bout going to a split draw. They battled again, four years later, with Pacquiao taking the split decision win.

In 2011, Pacquiao again took a close majority decision win over Marquez. The following year, the Mexican counterpuncher got the last laugh when he knocked the Filipino out cold in the sixth round.

Marquez fought his final professional bout in 2014 and officially retired in 2017. He finished with a 56-7-1 professional record with 40 wins by knockout.

Coronavirus Boxing Congress Mexico