Congressman Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather, Jr in November?

Fresh off his victory over Joshua Clottey of Ghana, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao says he will take a rest for a week and resume his briefly interrupted political campaign for a congressional seat in this year's Philippine elections.

By the time Manny Pacquiao signs a contract to fight Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in November, the undisputed pound-for-pound king will climb up the ring with a new calling; famous boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer may refer to the Filipino boxer in his usual "ready to rumble" announcement as Congressman or Honorable Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines.

The internationally famous Filipino boxer is shifting his fight venue from the four-corner boxing ring to a demanding political ring, as he embarks on a campaign trail in the grassroots of his congressional district in Sarangani, southern Philippines. There, he'll slug it out with a wealthy political opponent.

“I am going to take a one week rest and go back to the Philippines and start campaigning for my political career,” Pacquaio said after his lopsided victory over Joshua Clottey of Ghana at the giant Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Texas.

“I want to help the people especially in my place.” Asked about the possibility of facing Mayweather for his next fight, Pacquaio said, "I don’t know. I am going to decide that after the elections.”

Pacquiao is running under the Nacionalista Party of presidential candidate and former Senate President Manny Villar who is fighting neck-and-neck in the popularity ratings of poll surveys in the Philippines. Aside from professional boxing, Pacquiao is also a singer and an actor.

The poor boy from Mindanao, Philippines who is now a millionaire many times over with his brilliant conquest of some of the world's greatest boxers, is staging a live concert and post-fight party at the Texas Rangers park near the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Texas.

He said he will sing his version of popular Mexican folk song "La Bamba" for his fans. Pacquiao's mother Dionisia, now a popular TV personality and actress in the Philippines, said she would like to see his son retire from professional boxing.

“I tell my son, ‘please stop. What happens if something goes wrong with your body?’ I prayed to God that nothing happens to him,” she said in an interview with dzBB.

She brushed aside talk about a big-money match with Mayweather, saying, “Why should we try to chase after the biggest prize? We have enough. God has given him enough blessings already.”

Asked about his mother’s comments, Pacquiao said, “We will talk about that after I get home.”

(original article appeared @ Digital Journal )