Despite six losses in his 21-year pro boxing career and a series of controversies stemming from his religious beliefs as well as his past involvement in shady activities including womanizing, drinking and gambling, Pacquiao remains popular the world over.
Pacquiao’s arrival at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas earlier this week would attest to his popularity as he was almost mobbed by adoring fans. “While the reception given to the 32-year-old Bradley, known a the “Desert Storm” was relatively tame, the one accorded to the eight division champion was so warm, it came short of chaotic,” Eddie Alinea of PhilBoxing.com writes. The warm reception accorded Pacquiao on his arrival in Las Vegas happened after a series of unfortunate events in Pacquiao’s career which include among others his loss to Floyd Mayweather, Jr., in the “Fight of the Century” last year, his long-running feud with the BIR and IRS on tax issues, same-sex marriage controversy, the blocking of his fight in the Philippine media and the failed attempt to stop his senate candidacy. There are lots of reasons why Pacquiao’s popularity continues to soar despite unrelenting media attacks by political rivals as well as groups that are opposed to his religious beliefs. Pacquiao’s popularity or public acceptance is anchored on his humility and enviable persona. He has also been praised for dropping his sinful life as a known gambler and womanizer to embrace a renewed christian faith with his wife and children now at the center of his family life. Inside the ring he fights like a beast as he pounds his opponent without mercy with his bare hands but outside the ring, he spends time in serving his constituents with sincerity and a soft heart for the poor and the oppressed. But more than his persona, Pacquiao takes time to make himself available to his fans and supporters inside or outside the gym. Even when jogging or running in the park for his conditioning, he would stop to sign autographs for his fans. These are some of the reasons why despite the never-ending controversies, he remains popular as shown in the warm reception he had on his arrival in Las Vegas.
