Manny Pacquiao's name is still cooking in the headlines but unfortunately, it has nothing to do with the things he is into like boxing or politics.
That comparison of transgenders to animals is still in the air and the issue is likely to stay that way until everything reverts to normal or something overpowers the highly controversial topic.
The comment which Pacquiao made on Facebook has placed the boxer and aspiring senator in the hot seat these days, although he has apologized. Nevertheless, it has caused quite a stir and seen as something that would hurt his election plans this May.
He has apologized but the stood pat on his stance, using the Bible as his reference. Did Pacquiao lay the claim on purpose or did it to rev up some hype for his less than exciting farewell match against Timothy Bradley Jr.?
Even though it isn't in his character to resort to such, there are critics who cannot help but compare it to tactics of someone who has done it successfully before — Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The ploy didn't work during his last match against Andre Berto last September, although it wasn't the first time the flamboyant one tried to stir up attention to draw interest.
On the part of Pacquiao, folks cannot be faulted for thinking the same. The tiff hasn't really generated much attention, with most believing that Pacquiao will eventually come out of that fight as the winner.
The fight is tipped as a rubber match, with Pacquiao losing the first one in 2012 via controversial split decision. In the eyes of many, Pacquiao should have won that one.
He won the 2014 rematch via unanimous decision, so many are expecting the outcome on April 9 to be the same.
It may be possible, although uncharacteristic; but the topic he chose is very sensitive. How he weathers this storm remains to be seen, and it is something likely to hound him until that match and affect his campaign for the upcoming national elections in the Philippines.
