Pacquiao aims to promote boxing in China

Filipino boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquiao is aiming to develop professional boxing in China by establishing a boxing academy in the country.

On December 2, the neophyte senator signed an agreement with China's Dancing Sports, a group involved in sports development, indicating that a Manny Pacquiao International Boxing Academy (PIBA) will be built "to attract, train and develop Chinese world class boxers and to regularly promote professional boxing matches all over China."

Vincent Zhou of China's Dancing Sports and Manny Pacquiao sign an agreement to have the boxer build a Manny Pacquiao International Boxing Academy in China. Asian Boxing PR

“Yesterday, I met with President Xi and Prime Minister Li Keqiang, and I am glad that the high level relationship between China and the Philippines is going further. President Xi's Belt and Road initiative is very important, it will help countries along exchanges and cooperation at all levels across borders," Pacquiao said.

"It is not difficult to see that the signing of this comprehensive agreement is exactly the implementation of the two top leadership initiatives of China and an important action to promote cooperation between China and the Philippines," the senator added.

According to Vincent Zhou, president of China's Dancing Sports, the pact "will definitely shower a new boxing era in our sports and will contribute to help realize our great potential in boxing."

Some Chinese officials who were present during the launching and signing ceremony included Feng Hope, secretary general of the Information Office of the State Council; Zou Yan, deputy director of the Department of the Ministry of Justice; Zhang Hong, secretary of the party committee of the Chinese Film Association; He Zhewen, director of the Anti-Doping Center of the State Sports General Administration; Zhang Wei, vice-president of the Beijing Sports University and director of the Sports Industry Office of the National Development and Reform Commission; Wang Guojun, head coach of China National Boxing Team; and Wang Tongzhou, general manager of China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group.

Pacquiao and Zhou jointly held their first promotion in September 29 via a "by invitation only" boxing event, which featured Zhou's prospect Lu Bin in the main event and undefeated former Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga of the Philippines in the main undercard.

The sports organization has calendared six to eight events for 2018 with the initial promotion projected to be held during the Chinese New Year celebrations in February. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA News