The legendary boxer’s path to the top was hard and full of twists, but the Filipino gained worldwide fame, which he now uses to help other athletes.
Manny Pacquiao was born into a poor family in the small town of Kibawe and got used to hard work from a young age. He sold water and bread, then went to the boxing gym in the evening. Over time, Pacquiao became so good in the ring that he started getting paid US$2 per fight. That was enough to buy 25 kilos of rice, so Manny’s mother let him stop selling things and focus on boxing.
At 14, Pacquiao moved to the country’s capital, Manila, hoping to become a professional boxer. He had no money, so he worked as a metal cutter at a local factory. In his free time, he trained hard and improved his skills.
Pacquiao first became known after joining a local boxing TV show, where he impressed viewers with his wild spirit and fearless attitude in the ring. After some success in Asia, Manny went to the United States, and that’s where he slowly became famous around the world.
During his career, Pacquiao had 72 professional fights, won 62 of them, and became a world champion in eight different weight classes.
Boxing isn’t Manny’s only passion. As a kid, he and his brothers played basketball almost every day. The Filipino has kept his love for the sport throughout his life.
“When I started boxing, basketball became a great way for me to stay in shape. I like the fast pace of the game and how everyone has their own style and position on the court,” Pacquiao said in an interview with philstar.com.
In 2014, Manny tried his hand as a professional basketball player for the first time. He became the playing coach of Kia Sorento, a team in the Philippine Basketball Association – the country’s top basketball league. Pacquiao scored his first points in a game against Purefoods Star, making one of two free throws. Over three seasons, he played in 10 matches.
“It was an honour for me to share the court with the players of the Philippine Basketball Association. As a professional athlete, I deeply respect them because I know how hard they work to reach this level,” Manny shared.
In 2017, Pacquiao seriously thought about how to make basketball more accessible and popular. Manny wanted every Filipino to have the chance to enjoy the game live. To achieve this, he created the MPBL or Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League – a regional basketball league.
“The cost of attending a Philippine Basketball Association game in Manila and its surroundings is too high for the average Filipino. People can walk to MPBL games,” Pacquiao explains.
Another reason Manny created the regional basketball league was his desire to give young people a chance to showcase their talent.
“There are 180 of the country’s best players in the Philippine Basketball Association, but the Philippines has 120 million people who love basketball. Too many talented players remain in the shadows. Sport changed my life and my family’s life, so I know how important it is. Now, it’s my duty to provide the same opportunities for the youth. Sports teach discipline, keep people away from bad habits, and help provide for their families,” Pacquiao believes.
In 2021, the MPBL gained professional status. Today, 30 teams participate in the league, divided into two divisions, similar to the NBA in the United States. Many former stars of the Philippine Basketball Association now play in Manny’s regional league, thrilling local fans with their performances. The most successful team in the league’s history is the Pampanga Giant Lanterns – a team from San Fernando that has won the championship twice.
Manny’s idea to organise a competition “for every Filipino” was supported by the international betting company 1xBet, which has recently become the official partner of the league.
Basketball is a very popular sport in the Philippines, so 1xBet recommends that its partners use more basketball-themed content in the 1xPartners programme. This will help attract more new players.
“I’m proud that 1xBet is my partner for the MPBL. Thanks to their international presence and influence, we can promote talented Filipino basketball players not just locally, but worldwide. It’s my dream and the dream of millions of my fellow Filipinos to see a native Filipino in the NBA. I believe that the MPBL, together with 1xBet, will help make this come true,” Pacquiao said.
In his exciting and eventful life, Pacquiao has managed to conquer the boxing world, try his hand at politics, and even star in several movies. At the same time, he never denied himself the pleasure of stepping onto the court.
“Basketball is my first love, but boxing is my bread and butter,” the legendary Manny once admitted.
