Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao announced Monday he will run for Senate in the Philippines in 2016.
Pacquiao, who is currently a member of the Philippine House of Representatives, confirmed his plans to GMA News Online, saying he would formally announce his senatorial bid within the week.
According to GMA News Online, Pacquiao made the announcement during his state of the district address.
The 36-year-old athlete and politician has served in Congress since 2010, after a landslide victory in the district of Sarangani. Pacquiao has also been active in U.S. politics, making endorsements for Nevada Senator Harry Reid and California Governor Jerry Brown in 2010.
Known as "Pac-Man" by fans, Pacquiao was the first boxer in the world to win eight different weight divisions. He's currently listed as the second highest-paid athlete in the world, according to Forbes, behind Floyd Mayweather, who defeated Pacquiao in a May match-up that was billed as "the fight the world has been waiting for."
Pacquiao is also active in the Philippine Basketball Association and was once named an honorary member of the Boston Celtics.
