Filipino world champion Manny Pacquiao is one of the top boxers of today. He is all over the world for his excellent fighting skills, and for reaching a tremendous height of success. But he is more than just a boxer.
He is a multi-faceted talent who has done well in several other sports. He has also tried his hand at several other fields, like music, and even serving in the army. Let us take a look at the life and career of Manny Pacquiao and know Amazing Facts about Manny Pacquiao.
1. An accomplished Singer
Manny Pacquiao released his first album called “Laban Nating Lahat Ito” under Star Records in 2006 which featured songs such as “Para Sa’Yo Ang Laban Na ‘To”, “Pagsubok Lamang Yan” and “Champion Sa Kantahan” which was a major hit in his nation. He released his second album called “Pac-Man Punch” under MCA Records in 2007. That album features songs such as “Pac-Man Punch (R U Ready?)” and “Pac-Man Punch (Knockout Remix)”, and also showcased Willie Wilcox and Nemesis Yankee beside him. Pacquiao released two more singles after that, “Lahing Pinoy” under GMA Records in 2009 and “Remake of Dan Hill’s Sometimes When We Touch” in 2011. Besides his own singing talent, Pacquiao is also mentioned in Pitbull’s song “Get It Started” and also in a song called “51” by Kool A.D.
2. His Tax evasion case
All of Pacquiao’s Philippine bank accounts were frozen by the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue a few days after his victory against Brandon Rios on 26th November, 2013. The Philippine Bureau later stated the reason for the freeze as he failed to pay ₱2.2 billion in taxes for his income that he made in his bouts between 2008 and 2009 in the United States. The very next day after all of his accounts got freeze, the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue also issued an order to freeze all of his Philippine properties. Manny Pacquiao arranged a press meeting to counter the BIR where he showed documents which proved the payment of income tax for non-resident alien by his promoter to the BIR’s US counterpart. Pacquiao also showed a letter from Bob Arum to back up his own evidences.
3. His Influence in Pop culture
A film called “Pacquiao: The Movie” was released on June 21, 2006 which was based solely upon Manny Pacquiao’s life. The movie featured Filipino actor Jericho Rosales as Manny Pacquiao and the film was directed by Joel Lamangan. The movie grossed around $99,322 in box office. Pacquiao also featured in several video games of boxing which includes “Fight Night Round 2”, “Fight Night Round 3”, “Fight Night Round 4” and “Fight Night Champion”.
4. His Very Own Basketball career
Manny Pacquiao is an honorary member of the Boston Celtics and was presented with a replica of a green and white Celtics jersey by the Boston Celtics authority which bears his name and number 1. Pacquiao announced his intentions to join the Philippine Basketball Association on April 17, 2014, as the playing coach of Kia Motors Basketball team.
5. His Political career
Manny Pacquiao first announced his intention of running for a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives on February 12, 2007. He declared he would represent the 1st District of South Cotabato province at the May 2007 legislative election in the Philippines. Pacquiao had his affiliation with the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the candidate of the Liberal Party faction in the Philippines.
6. His Acting Career
Manny Pacquiao was featured in a superhero-comedy film called “Wapakman”. The film was released on December 25, 2009, and has entered the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2009. He then signed as an actor with GMA Network in September 2007, and filmed his first episode of the networks infotainment show Pinoy Records on December 17, 2007.
7. Pacquiao – An Army personnel
Manny Pacquiao first joined the Philippines Army’s reserve force as a Sergeant Officer on April 27, 2006. He then promoted to the post of Technical Sergeant on 1st December of the same year. Pacquiao eventually became a Master Sergeant which is the highest rank in the enlisted personnel in Philippines on October 7, 2007.
8. A Little Personal
Manny Pacquiao was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines, on 17th December 1978, and is the fourth among his six siblings, two siblings from the first husband of his mother and four siblings from his parents. His parents Dionesia Dapidran-Pacquiao and Rosalio Pacquiao were separated when Pacquiao was in sixth grade of junior school.
9. His Amazing Accolades
Pacquiao currently holds the number three rank on The Ring pound-for-pound list is also the current WBO welterweight champion. Three main boxing organizations the World Boxing Council, the Boxing Writers Association of America, and World Boxing Organization have named him “Fighter of the Decade” for the 2000s decade. Manny Pacquiao won the “Fighter of the Year” award by The Ring and BWAA thrice in 2006, 2008 and 2009. He also achieved the ESPY Award for being the Best Fighter twice in 2009 and 2011.
10. Super-Rich Boxer
Filipino world champion professional boxer Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, famously known to the world as “Manny Pacquiao”, is involved in acting, singing and basketball besides his boxing career, and is also a member of the Philippine House of Representatives. He achieved ten world titles and is the first and only eight-division world champion. Pacquiao achieved the lineal championship titles in four different weight categories. He was named as the World’s 6th Highest Paid Athlete by Forbes in 2009 for total earnings of nearly $40 million which was equal to the income of NBA superstar LeBron James during that year. He was then named the 8th Highest Paid Athlete in the world by Forbes in 2010 for total earnings of nearly $42 million. He was named as one of the two top earning athletes by the ESPN Magazine in 2010.
