The Filipino congressman, 32, the only boxer in history to hold world titles in eight weight divisions, had weighty issues on his mind as he prepared to face American legend Shane Mosley in Sin City on Saturday night in the biggest fight of the year to date.
But his thoughts were not what he would do with his fists but how he could help end the poverty of his people in the Philippines. ?I have a special message to all of you,? said Pacquiao at the MGM Grand resort. ?All my life, I have had to fight. As a child, I had to fight just to eat. And now when I fight, Filipinos call me a hero. I believe the biggest fight of my life is not in boxing. The biggest fight in my life is how to end poverty in my country.?
And that from a man who will earn $20 million (?12 million) for his night?s work, watched by 1,600 accredited media from around the world, at a venue sold out three days after tickets went on sale.
The little man from the Philippines, standing 5ft 6in, and who weighs 10st 7lb, has risen from pauper to prince of pugilism. He was elected to Congress as a politician in 2010 and, in the last week, has even enjoyed pop stardom in the United States. He has in his hands the power to transform a nation?s hopes. Not since Muhammad Ali has one boxer had such a galvanising social impact worldwide.
That messianic desire was explained to Telegraph Sport this week: ?God looks after me. I?ve thought about the poverty of my people from a young age. I?ve been there. I know what it?s like.?
