Versus Algieri on Nov. 23, Pacquiao aide sees ‘short fight’

MANILA, Philippines - Results of the latest polls putting him as a strong contender for a Senatorial post in the 2016 elections must have reached Manny Pacquiao.

“He’s training right now and he’s having fun,” said his chief adviser Mike Koncz over the phone yesterday afternoon from General Santos City.

Pacquiao is in his second week of training for a Nov. 23 clash with unbeaten Chris Algieri in Macau.

Results of the latest Pulse Asia survey that came out Monday showed that 31.3 percent of the respondents would want to see Pacquiao in the Senate in 2016.

The numbers say that Pacquiao, a second-term congressman in Sarangani, is in 11th to 16th position in the coming Senatorial race.

But Koncz, who just arrived from the United States with strength and conditioning coach Justine Fortune, would not prolong the discussion. 

“The election year is still a long ways and there’s really no decision yet. Right now he’s focused on boxing,” Koncz said.

But in a recent conversation, Pacquiao told The STAR that going for a Senatorial seat is almost like a done deal, and the latest survey can only boost his confidence.

“Puwede,” he said.

Back to the Algieri fight, Koncz said he expects Pacquiao to win via stoppage.

“And as long as he focuses on this fight and stays in shape, having fun at the gym and working hard I believe it’s going to be a short fight,” he said.

“With his determination I believe this will be a short fight,” Koncz added.

Meanwhile, count Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the greatest boxers of all time, as among those who want to see Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao get in the ring together.

Leonard, best known for his fights with fellow middleweight greats Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran, recently gave his thoughts on why Mayweather and Pacquiao should face each other.

For him, it’s not about the financial reasons.

“It’s more than just the money. Because the money will be there. It’s the legacy,” the 58-year-old Leonard said in an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles. – With Dino Maragay/Contributor