Manny Pacquiao has won his fair share of titles inside the ring. Now, he officially has a new title outside the ring — Congressman.
On Monday, the welterweight champion was officially sworn in to the Philippines’ House of Representatives, ESPN.com reports.
"It's not going to change anything," Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach said in May. "They'll just announce him as Congressman Manny Pacquiao, that's all."
Pacquiao accepted his third Fighter of the Year award on June 4 and remains in negotiations for his highly anticipated fight against the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The two fighters nearly reached an agreement to fight earlier this year, but negotiations fell apart over a drug testing disagreement. Mayweather insisted on Olympic-style drug testing and Pacquiao objected, refusing to have blood drawn within 24 days of a fight.
Promoter Bob Arum told ESPN.com that Pacquiao is now willing to have blood tests within 14 days of the fight, which Mayweather had originally agreed to.
Arum also said he believes the fight will likely happen in November, and take place in Las Vegas rather than another venue like Cowboys Stadium that could fit more than 100,000 fans.
Congress in the Philippines convenes in July.
