Arum to Pacquiao: Be the President

MANILA, Philippines - Bob Arum wished Manny Pacquiao all the best as the world’s greatest fighter of this generation celebrates his 33rd birthday today.

“I wish Manny a long and happy life,” said Arum over the phone yesterday.

“I wish him great career in his remaining years in boxing and I wish him a great political career,” added the Top Rank chief.

Arum turned 80 more than a week ago, and he’s hoping Pacquiao would live a life as long as his.

“Yeah,” he said.

Unfortunately, Arum won’t be around when Pacquiao holds his grand birthday bash in General Santos City tonight.

Arum, always around for the big party, is in Denver where his wife, Lovee, just underwent an operation.

He said he had to stay with her, and added that there’s nothing to worry because the operation went “remarkably well.”

“I couldn’t come this time,” he said.

Back to Pacquiao, Arum said boxing’s biggest draw has a great future ahead of him – in and out of the ring.

“If everything goes well he really has a great chance of becoming the President of the Philippines. I really believe seeing that down the road,” Arum said.

“When he’s already a man in his forties, he’d be a more mature politician. And that’s still 10 years from now.”