Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s renewed faith, and fascination with bible study has garnered mixed reactions from his friends and fans alike. Many are pleased and delighted to hear that the 8-Division boxing champ claims to have turned the corner in his life, and rid of some old bad habits. Others, however, question his motives and are skeptical if the move is simply a publicity stunt to help him further his political aspirations in the Philippines. And there are those who could care less as long as it doesn’t affect his boxing career.
“I haven’t seen Manny yet, but I know he’s got a very strong faith in God,” his trainer Freddie Roach was quoted by the USA Today. “But I haven’t seen him, so I haven’t seen any changes or anything like that.?
As far as the Hall of Fame trainer is concerned, it’s the Pacquiao that shows up inside the ring that he’s worried about, but did welcome the possibility that his renewed faith may lead his favorite pupil to getting rid of some distractions and bad apples around him outside it.
“We’ll get ready for the fight. If it’s not there, it’s not there, and I’ll probably tell him to retire,” he said, and added, “Getting rid of some of those things in his life could be a blessing. Too many distractions is not good, so the fewer distractions, the better off he will be. Hopefully he’ll pick some better friends there, too.”
His promoter Bob Arum is a little more disquieted, especially after stories spread in the media like wildfire regarding Pacquiao’s plans to retire, claiming God had sent him a message in a dream.
?I am worried a bit because these are the things you don?t say when preparing for a fight,? Arum as quoted in the Manila Bulletin.
According to some of our peers in sports media, Pacquiao’s new passion is the read deal. “Trust me, it’s as real as it gets. When I was sitting in his dressing room for his last commercial shoot, he would rush back and forth to the trailer between shoots to study the bible,” boxing scribe Ryan Songalia shared with me.
“Was with him yesterday. I can safely say that a lot has changed. A LOT!” Philippine boxing journalist Carlo Pamintuan added.
Boxing fans’ reactions over the matter range from inspired and encouraging, down to the absurd and cynical.
“Good for him, and I hope it makes him a better person,” wrote Christian M., while Relly A. marveled at how Pacquiao has managed to juggle some of the most controversial matters one can take on. “Religion, politics and sports… He’s managed to involve himself into the most debated topics.”
“Naalog na utak ni Pac-Man (His brains have been scrambled),” Filipino boxing fan Rick F. commented, while another reader posted this quote “If you talk to God, you’re religious. If God talks to you, you’re psychotic ~ Gregory House, M.D.”
“If he stops boxing, he should stop politics too and concentrate on preaching, because the bible says you can’t serve two masters at the same time,” Keinrich M. shared, while Tam A. is simply done with it. “I’ve heard it before… If he was really into God, he’d stop boxing right now and be a pastor or something. The ones who preach about God too much are the ones who keeps breaking his teachings.”
But to a few, it still all goes back to his potential super fight against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. “I just hope he doesn’t retire without fighting Floyd,” Michael T. wrote. “That’s good. Manny might accidentally kill Floyd if the fight happens,” Cesar M. commented.
