Shapiro sees no problem with Pacquiao ‘multi-tasking’.
LOS ANGELES, California – One of the high-profile defense lawyers of controversial football star OJ Simpson believes there has to be no issue regarding Manny Pacquiao continuing his boxing career while working as senator.
A regular habitue of the Wild Card gym which serves as Pacquiao’s main training camp, lawyer Robert Shapiro told Manila Bulletin/Tempo that a lawmaker’s role does not need full time attention to become an effective legislator.
“I believe people can multi-task. I think Manny, serving as a senator, while training as a boxer, I think he easily can do both things,” said Shapiro “You know, not everybody that’s a legislator is going to be working on their legislation 24 hours a day.”
Shapiro, who works almost daily at the Wild Card gym under Filipino trainer Marvin Somodio, even sees a successful political career for Pacquiao based on how he know the celebrated boxing icon.
“There’s a worldwide corruption index where the Philippines is rated among the most corrupt countries in the world,” said Shapiro. “With Manny, with his honesty, integrity and work ethic, if he can work with the other senators to change the atmosphere of corruption in the Philippines he will be doing a wonderful job for the people.”
Pacquiao is slated to vie for the WBO welterweight crown against defending champion Jessie Vargas in a 12-round title fight on November 5 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Shapiro together with another prominent lawyer Johnnie Cochran helped Simpson get acquitted in the double-murder case dubbed “Trial of the Century” which involved the murdering of the former football star’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1995.
Shapiro, now 74, was recently in the spotlight when he had a sit down interview with American TV political commentator Megyn Kelly last May and relived his handling of the Simpson case.
Shapiro revealed he felt very sure about an acquittal verdict for his client when he tried on the glove found at the crime scene.
“It was a little bit wide in my palm and a little bit wide in my fingers. O.J. Simpson has enormous hands, and I knew that glove would not fit him,” said Shapiro. (DENNIS PRINCIPE)