By Vitali Shaposhnikov (MP8 contributing writer)

Harry Reid, a long time senator from Nevada, has voiced his support for Manny Pacquiao in his upcoming bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“I always try to help people who help me and no one has been more helpful to me, campaign wise, who’s been a personality, than Manny Pacquiao. I wish them both well and they’re good for the sport but Manny Pacquiao broke training on two separate occasions to come and campaign for me and I can’t forget that,” stated Reid.

This is where the line gets crossed in most boxing enthusiasts’ opinions. When a fighter, or any professional athlete crosses into uncharted waters such as politics, their dedication to the sport simply cannot be sustained to the degree it was before. Despite his ability to stay on top, leaving training camp for politics is something that can potentially sling Pacquiao out of his boxing-focused state of mind, and parallel to the canvas.

Having said that, Reid is urging Manny to leave all else behind, and focus on the fight:

“Forget about Congress. Forget about what’s going on in the government in the Philippines, what is going on around the world. Focus on this fight. It’s extremely important that he has his full attention and focus on the fight,” Reid said.

This is good advice, and I’m sure it’s one that Freddie Roach has begged Pacquiao to follow on numerous occasions. Especially for this fight, Pacquiao simply cannot afford to be sidetracked by anyone for any reason. Throughout his career, Pacquiao had been discovered being a victim of various distractions, from gambling and women, to politics and personal life. Every single person has their own commotions in life, but anything that pulls a fighter out of their training camp even for a day, can end up causing a disastrous outcome.

Of course being a Nevada politician, Reid did suggest that he appreciates what Mayweather Jr. has done for the state:

“I like Floyd Mayweather very, very much. He’s been great for the sport. He’s undefeated. He spent most of his adult life in Nevada. He’s been good for Nevada. I wish him the best. But the question is, Manny has been in my corner whenever I needed him and I wanna be in Manny’ s corner when he needs me,” Reid concluded.

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