| |
|
Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent: chess king Magnus Carlsen
PhilBoxing.com Thu, 23 Sep 2021

Boxing megastar Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao has revealed his next big fight is on a board against a 10-year-old app version of chess king Magnus Carlsen.
The 12-time world champ boxer-turned politician will make a rare appearance to compete in the Magnus Carlsen Celebrity Charity Challenge.
Pacquiao is the latest and greatest in a line of big names to take on the World Chess Champion’s younger self at his own game and the unique spectacle will be broadcast during the Finals event of the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour.
Pacquiao, a huge chess fan and a Senator in his homeland of the Philippines, will no doubt be hoping he can box clever and land a knockout blow.
But so far, no celebrity taking the challenge has beaten Carlsen on his Play Magnus app. The longest anyone has survived is 49 moves.
The stakes are high. Pacquiao - who is hoping to raise awareness for the “Stop Asian Hate” campaign - will get $5,000 to donate to his chosen charity just for taking part. If he wins the challenge by lasting the longest, he will secure an extra $50,000.
Carlsen said: “I can’t wait to see how the legendary Manny Pacquiao does against a 10-year-old me on the Play Magnus app. I wasn’t World Champion back then, but I was already playing decently so it’s going to be hard!”
Pacquiao added: “I am very much excited to play Magnus Carlsen, the world chess champion. This is something that doesn't happen every day and I will be placed in a different arena this time around."
Pacquiao will be raising funds for the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, the charity built on the Senator’s commitment to giving back and fighting for those less fortunate.
The uses the hashtags #pacquiaofoundation #pacquiao #jointhefight #bethechange and #teampacquiao on social media.
Watch the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour broadcast on October 1 to find out what happens when the 12-time world boxing champ takes on the four-time World Chess Champion.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rene “Chulo” Santiago, Masataka Taniguchi Officially Make Weight for Friday’s Unified World Title Clash in Tokyo , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Marlon Tapales and Yukinori Oguni Make Weight in Clash of Former World Champions , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Taduran in high spirits ahead of title defense in California By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Waiting to beat Floyd By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 02 Apr 202620th Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on May 1 By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Can Tapales Overpower Oguni to Increase his Chances of Another World Title Fight? By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026BROWN-DUCAR PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S ALTRINCHAM FIGHT NIGHT , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Makes Headlines Again with Signing of Former World Champion Julio Cesar “El Rey” Martinez , Thu, 02 Apr 2026Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Jimuel in Action on Friday! By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026“Rumble in the Une” Makes History in Union City with Star-Studded Fight Card Headlined by Jacob Macalolooy , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Is Floyd chickening out? By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout , Wed, 01 Apr 2026PBF president Almario dies By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026PH chess wizard seven-year old Noah Lucas Palcis finishes second in Bangkok chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 20262 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Wed, 01 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6 By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54 , Tue, 31 Mar 2026ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout , Tue, 31 Mar 202613-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20 , Tue, 31 Mar 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER , Tue, 31 Mar 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|