Philippines, 15 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Manny Pacquiao: A Man of the People


PhilBoxing.com




It is November 14th, 2009 at 8:45 pm in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is minutes before a WBO welterweight championship fight. It is 11:45 am in General Santos City, Philippines. It looks like a ghost town there. The streets of General Santos City are completely empty. Everyone is glued to a television anticipating Manny Pacquiao's fight against Miguel Cotto.

Manny Pacquiao dealt with extreme poverty in his childhood. He often slept in a cardboard box. He had to drop out of school after the third grade to help support his family. Manny Pacquiao sold donuts on the street to make money. He promised his family that he would get them out of poverty. His uncle introduced him to boxing at sixteen years old. Manny Pacquiao weighed only 98 pounds. He was under the weight minimum. But, he put steel in his pockets to reach the official weight of 106 pounds.

Manny Pacquiao's hometown is General Santos City in the Philippines. General Santos City has a growing population. Additionally, Philippines is a third world country. There is a third of the pollution living in poverty. Many people there live on less than $1 a day. Manny Pacquiao lives in General Santos City even though he could live anywhere in the world. He is the sixth highest paid athlete in the world with a total of 40 million dollars. (newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines). He has to deal with threats of kidnapping and terrorist activity. He has employed thirty bodyguards to protect himself and his family. He travels in the Philippines in a bulletproof van.

Manny Pacquiao wants to help solve the many problems that plague the Philippines. "I wanted to become a congressman because in my heart. I really want to help them" (www.victoriaadvocate.com). He has been elected a member of the house of representatives in the 15th congress of the Philippines representing the province of Sarangani. He will be sworn into office in late June and he can fulfill his congressional duties in July. He defeated heavily favored candidate Roy Chiongbian. Roy Chiongbian is from a billionaire family. Manny Pacquiao is the first professional boxer to hold national public office while still active in the ring.

Manny Pacquiao was an underdog in the election. People thought he was going to lose because of the corruption that exists in Philippines politics. However, he has a true connection with the people of the Philippines. They believe he will make a difference. "There is a feeling that Pacquiao is one of us, one of the people, so we want to choose the right candidate to help us and that's Manny" said Cynthia Leandres a health care worker (boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/05/10).

It is 12:33 AM in Las Vegas on November 14th, 2009. Manny Pacquiao versus Miguel Cotto fight is stopped at 55 seconds of the 12th round. Manny Pacquiao defeats Miguel Cotto by technical knockout. Miguel Cotto could no longer take Manny Pacquiao's three punch combinations. He was being hit by Manny Pacquiao's lightning fast punches throughout the boxing match. The crowd was chanting "We want Floyd" near the end of fight. Across the world in General Santos City, Philippines at 12:33 PM people were cheering about Manny Pacquiao's impressive victory. He has once again proved that he is the best boxer in the world. Manny Pacquiao is a man of the people.

Works Cited
25 May 2010 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090619-211321/Pacquiao-6th-on-list-of-richest-athletes
25 May 2010 http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2010/may/09/bc-box-pacquiaola-_-sports/?sports
25 May 2010 http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/05/10/manny-pacquiao-declares-landslide-congressional-victory-in-phi/

* * *

PhilBoxing would like to welcome Loren Robinson to the Philboxing family of writers and contributors.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Loren Robinson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Laurente remains undefeated, TKOs Aguan in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Foundation stone laid for the first-ever IBA arena in Dushanbe
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Jerick Faeldonia Wins One Chess Movement Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Bam Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas & Martinez vs Cardenas Preview and Picks
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Popper vs. Seldon Jr. Official Weights for June 13 in Atlantic City
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • GLENDALE, AZ FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR BAM VS VARGAS – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Amir Anderson Meets Jonas Sylvain in Battle of Unbeatens on DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Munsayac, Celones get FMA award
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Weigh-In Results for Sanman 101: Laurente Eyes Home Victory
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • Arleah Cassandra Sapuan of Valencia, Negros finishes ninth in Las Vegas chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF BAM VS. VARGAS IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • IBA President warns Olympic movement will fade unless IOC rewards athletes and reforms now
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pedro Veitia Eager to Separate Himself in Battle of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospects June 13 in Orlando
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Raga, Esquillo, Ortega, Navarrete, Santos, Ripay to compete in Japan 10-Ball Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Chess tournament goes to Dasmarinas Cavite
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.