When the every day person gets up, he or she usually goes to work, comes home, cooks dinner, relaxes and does it all over again the next day. Of course not everyone is blessed to have an ordinary job, but for the most part people can relate.
So what’s the world of Manny Pacquiao like? Well this writer has spent some time with Manny while his training camps are in full session and I am here to tell you, his world is pretty demanding. When Manny is in camp his time is very limited, and everyone in the Western Hemisphere wants a few minutes of his time. He arrives at the gym at about 1PM and trains until about 5, sometimes 6PM. While he trains, he has his people following him around the gym, he has Freddie Roach within an arms length distance, and the usual media within grasp.
Pacquiao finishes his training and then deals with several media outlets for interviews and photo sessions. Most of the time when he leaves the gym he wants to go to the Thai restaurant for a meal. Between the gym and the restaurant is a parking lot filled with hundreds of fans waiting for a glimpse and a picture with him. The pound for pound king then navigates from the gym toward the restaurant, usually stopping for his fans. After he eats, he exits the restaurant and once again navigates through the fans into his black Mercedes, and off he goes for the evening.
Pacquiao has cameras in his face all day. It amazes me how patient the man is with so many cameras and interview requests coming at him all day every day. When Manny walks, people are following. His patience with his fans is unlike anything I have ever seen. I remember during his training for Joshua Clottey, some fan (female) rushed up to him and planted a big kiss on his cheek. Pacquiao just smiled, and kept walking.
Read a Michael Marley update here – http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-Boxing-Examiner~y2010m6d14-Mayweather-Pacquiao-Agreement-Warm-up-bouts-for-fall-discussed-rejected
Mississippi has a growing population of Filipinos. In the Jackson, MS area the population of Filipinos is growing and growing. Recently my friend, a Pinay from Cebu, invited me to a Filipino party in Brandon, Mississippi. As soon as the word got out that I knew Manny Pacquiao personally, I was swarmed with questions from his adoring fans. EVERYBODY at that party wanted to pick my brain, and learn what they could of Manny Pacquiao. I shared with them some of the stories that I have been honored to have been a part of with Manny. His world is unlike the world to most.
Now mix in that he’s an elected Congressman to an already hectic world. Manny has constituents to serve, and he has millions of rabid boxing fans to please. Amazing how this guy keeps so even keel on everything.
