Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is set to take on American challenger Shane Mosley for the WBO welterweight title May 7.
“I want to win, he wants to win and it will be a fight to the finish,” said Mosley about his opponent and eight-times world champion in a press conference Thursday.
Interestingly, both Mosley and Pacquiao share some very honorable sportsmanship traits. Both the fighters, although aggressive in the ring, stay away from thrash talk ahead of the bout.
“We both like to keep coming forward in the ring and we like to entertain the people who love boxing. I have to train hard because I don’t want to disappoint them, the people who will watch the fight,” said 32-year-old Pacquiao, who claims more attention in the world media over his rival due to his multiple faceted public life.
Start the slideshow to get acquainted with Pacquiao, the family man, actor, singer, and politician, beyond the boxing ring:
Manny Pacquiao: The Boxer
Manny Pacquiao was born Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao on December 17, 1978, in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines.
Pacquiao achieved great feats as a professional boxer with several titles and records to show for it: an eight-
division world champion, the first boxer in history to win ten world titles, the first to win in eight weight
divisions, and the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes.
In 2000, he was named “Fighter of the Decade” by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). This was
followed up with a three-time The Ring and BWAA ‘Fighter of the Year’ in 2006, 2008, and 2009.
Rated as the “number one” pound-for-pound best boxer in the world, 5 feet 6.5 inches tall Pacquiao is currently
the WBC Super Welterweight World Champion and WBO Welterweight World Champion (Super Champion).
Pacquiao’s titles are listed below:
Major World Titles:
* WBC Flyweight World Champion (112 lbs) * IBF Junior Featherweight World Champion (122 lbs) * The Ring Featherweight World Champion (126 lbs) * WBC Super Featherweight World Champion (130 lbs) * The Ring Junior Lightweight World Champion (130 lbs) * WBC Lightweight World Champion (135 lbs) * The Ring Junior Welterweight World Champion (140 lbs) * WBO Welterweight World Champion (147 lbs) * WBC Super Welterweight World Champion (154 lbs)
Minor World Title:
* IBO Junior Welterweight World Champion (140 lbs)
Lineal Championship Titles:
* Lineal Flyweight World Champion (112 lbs) * Lineal Featherweight World Champion (126 lbs) * Lineal Super Featherweight World Champion (130 lbs) * Lineal Light Welterweight World Champion (140 lbs)
Regional/International Titles:
* OPBF Flyweight Champion (112 lbs) * WBC Super Bantamweight International Champion (122 lbs) * WBC Super Featherweight International Champion (130 lbs)
Special Titles:
* WBC Emeritus Champion * WBC Diamond Champion * WBO Super Champion
PHOTO: Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines celebrates his victory over Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico to win the WBO welterweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada November 14, 2009.
Manny Pacquiao: The Family Man
Pacquiao is married to Maria Geraldine “Jinkee” Jamora, with whom he has four children, namely Emmanuel Jr.
“Jimuel”, Michael, Princess, and Queen Elizabeth “Queenie.”
A devout Roman Catholic, Pacquiao came from a broken home.
The religious boxer is often spotted making the sign of the cross within the ring. He also attends a thanksgiving
Mass in Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Manila, after a successful fight abroad.
PHOTO: Filipino World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao chats with his wife Jinkee while carrying his daughter Princess upon arrival at Manila international airport March 22, 2010. Pacquiao, who will run for a congressional seat on May 10 Philippines elections, arrived on Monday after he retained his WBO welterweight crown against Joshua Clottey of Ghana last March 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Manny Pacquiao: The Politician
In May 2010, Manny Pacquiao became the only active boxer to become a Congressman in the Philippines after he was elected into the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines.
PHOTO: Newly elected Philippine congressman and world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao speaks as he votes for the new Speaker during the opening of the 15th Philippine Congress in Quezon City, Metro Manila July 26, 2010. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III will outline his political agenda when Congress sits on Monday for the first time since the May election, and analysts hope he uses the platform to move beyond his campaign rhetoric.
Manny Pacquiao: A Military Reservist
With the rank of Sergeant Major for the 15th Ready Reserve Division of the Philippine Army, Pacquiao is also a military reservist.
Pacquiao is the sergeant major of the Army?s reserve force and holds the rank of senior master sergeant.
PHOTO: World welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines talks to reporters after a news conference in New York City, January 20, 2010, held to announce Pacquiao’s fight against Joshua Clottey of Ghana, which will take place at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Manny Pacquiao: The Actor
Over the years, Manny Pacquiao has tried his hand at various fields including acting.
In 2009, ahead of his bout with British boxer Ricky Hatton, the boxer had begun training for acting in a television series. He was part of the GMA 7?s action/adventure TV series ?Totoy Bato.”
In the same year, the Filipino boxer acted alongside Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant for a Nike commercial. The ad was shot in Los Angeles California in July 2009.
PHOTO: World Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao speaks to his supporters during a campaign rally in Alabel, Sarangani province in southern Philippines May 1, 2010. Pacquiao is running as congressman in his hometown in Sarangani province
Manny Pacquiao: The Singer
Around the same times as Pacquiao’s actor persona surfaced, the boxer also proved his vocal skills.
A CBN report, dated December 2009, stated, “Pacquiao has been vocal about his love for singing. He has recorded
several songs and is actually gearing for a concert-party right after his ?Firepower? bout against Miguel Cotto on Saturday in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila).”
“Joining him in his post-fight gig are Filipina artist Madonna Decena, composer/vocalist Lito Camo and Pacqiuao?s “MP Band”.”
However, boxing does not completely fade away when Pacquiao sings. In his very famous song called ‘Para Sa’yo,’ he dedicates his winnings and honor to the country and the his fellow countrymen.
PHOTO: Congressman elect and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao plays the guitar during his victory party in General Santos City, southern Philippines, May 15, 2010.
