Philippines, 02 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Why basketball is Pacquiao's passion


PhilBoxing.com




It?s no longer a surprise to many that after a grueling, day-long grind on the road and inside a boxing gym, you still see Manny Pacquiao in a basketball gym playing the game second to his heart.

For Filipino international ring icon, you see, basketball is his way of staying fit, when not fighting and during lull in his training schedule.

The sport, which, incidentally, is the closest to his countrymen?s heart, is, in fact, his other passion, next only to his profession.

That was how the only man on earth to capture 11 world championships in eight weight divisions explained his penchant for the sport which he plays almost daily.

Except, of course, during the crucial stages of his preparation for a fight.

?Sabihin na nating basketball ang second love ko, next only to boxing,? the erstwhile world belt-owner of the flyweight, super-bantamweight, super-featherweight, lightweight, junior-welterweight, welterweight and junior-middleweight divisions has often told this writer whenever conversations turned on the subject.

"Well, you, probably, have noticed it, basketball is the sport I used for my cross-training. Besides keeping me in shape, it gives me happiness whenever I play the game," he explained.




Manny Pacquiao drives to the basket during a pickup basketball game in General Santos City last week during a lull in his training camp where he prepares for his fight against WBA welterweight king Lucas Matthysse scheduled on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photos by Wendell Alinea.

"Before we left Manila last week on our way here, sabi ninyo ang ganda ng katawan ko at mukhang kondisyong-kondisyon ako inspite of my long layoff from boxing," the ?Fighter of the Decade?? honoree of the Boxing Writers Association of America for 2000-20010 said.

"You're right. When we opened camp almost a month ago, it looked I was already in fighting form. That?s because of basketball," he narrated. ?Days after my last fight, which I lost, basketball ang ginamkit ko para makalimot at maka-recover.?

?If given a chance depending on my schedule in the senate, I play the game for relaxation and at the same time remain fit,? he disclosed. "To a large extent, I really owe my quick and speedy recovery, for whatever, to basketball, without which, baka the injuries I suffered from my prior fights eh nararamdaman ko pa till now.?

"Marami kasi nagagawa ang paglalaro ng baskeball. For one, It strengthens my legs and my arms," Pacquiao asserted. "Basketball, you see, helps me recover my speed in both my hands and feet, besides helping me in making quick decisions, which I need in boxing."

"Sa basketball, nade-develop ko ang stamina, footwork, quickness, decision-making, etc,? Pacquiao stressed.

His passion for basketball doesn't diminish though his love for boxing, Pacquiao, who also owns the world lineal titles in flyweight, featherweight, super-featherweight and junior-welterweight, reaffirmed.

?Boxing, of course, is my first love, being the sport that extricated me and my entire family from poverty to what I am now. Boxing is my life,? he stressed. ?Basketball, on the other hand, is my happiness. The sport gives me the happiness in life. Masayang-masaya ako kapag naglalaro ako,?

To demonstrate his passion for the game, the father of five to wife, Sarangani Vice Gov. Jinkee, has also been the main man in organizing basketball tournaments. He was also responsible for the Columbian Motors acquiring a franchise in the Philippine Basketall Association.

Pacquiao is so passionate in basketball that oftentimes, he would defy his trainers? plea for him to reduce his time playing the game for fear of his ward getting injured.

?I cannot really help playing the sport. Pero maingat naman ako. Ayoko ring ma-injure ako ng grabe. The kind that could abruptly end my career. Lalo na ilang laban na lang at magre-retire na ako,? the former pound-for-pound best in the world said.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.