The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Manila

Boxing superstar Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao has been chosen to carry the Philippines flag at the opening parade of next month's Beijing Olympics, despite being professional and unable to fight in the Games.

President Gloria Arroyo named the fighter, who won a fourth world title in a fourth weight class last month, as "special envoy to the Beijing Olympics," the Filipino leader's chief aide Eduardo Ermita told reporters.

The 29-year-old, widely considered the best "pound for pound" boxer in the world, destroyed David Diaz of the United States in nine rounds to take the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title in Las Vegas on June 29.