Manny Pacquiao (Photo : Reuters)
Hillary Clinton is courting the Filipino-American vote, and to do that, besides campaigning in the swing state of Nevada in early September, she approached Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum in 2014.
Fightsaga reports that the two were at a dinner function where Clinton asked Arum's help in getting the endorsement of Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao. At that time, Clinton - the strongest Democratic bet until the email scandal affected her popularity - was not decided yet on running for president as the party's standard bearer.
However, she told Arum that if she pursued her bid, she wants Pacquiao's help, aware of his popularity with Filipinos.
Pacquaio's endorsement of Sen. Harry Reid for the 2010 mid-term elections helped the senator overcome a likely poll loss since Reid was 4 percent behind in pre-election surveys, according to the boxer.
Reid acknowledges Pacquiao's influence in Nevada where some of his fights were held, including the "Fight of the Decade" on May 2 versus Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao's popularity was again demonstrated that time when he was cheered by the crowd despite the unanimous decision in favor of Mayweather, who got booed.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the husband of Hillary, describes Pacquiao as a great guy and a great role model for Filipinos. Besides the request via Arum, the Clintons too are personal friends of Pacquiao's political ally, former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was Bill's classmate in law school in the U.S.
However, not all politicians endorsed by Pacquiao wins. In 2008, he endorsed housing magnate Sen. Manny Villar for president, but Villar failed in his election bid. Pacquiao himself was knocked out in his first congressional try as representative of General Santos City, beaten by a female candidate.
Meanwhile, SFGate reports that Bill Clinton will now play a more active role in Hillary's presidential bid, according to Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
