MANILA, Philippines — Boxing champion and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao will join this year's panel of judges for the Miss Universe beauty pageant.
The pageant confirmed in a statement Friday that the Filipino fighter will fly to Doral, Florida for the final leg of the competition on January 25.
"Terrific news! Some of the celebrity judges for the 63rd Annual ??Miss Universe? Pageant were announced today!" the pageant's organizers said.
Pacquiao will be selecting the next titleholder alongside television host and shoe designer Kristine Cavalleri, former People Spain's "Sexiest Man Alive" and actor Willy Levy, reality show star Lisa Vanderpump and fashion journalist Louise Roe.
It was in December that reports broke out that the eight-division champion was invited to become a judge of the beauty showdown.
Pacquiao, however, earlier dismissed some reports that his role in Miss Universe was final.
"Wala pa. Invited pa lang ako," he said. - Camille Diola