Manny Pacquiao: A Changed Man

Image taken from pacman.craveonline.com

Boxing superstar Pacquiao has decided to knockout his vices to take on a much bigger challenge as Bible ambassador.

Considered as one of the greatest fighters in the history of boxing, Manny Pacquiao is always expected to knockout any opponent. Having amassed his fortune mainly because of his achievements on the boxing ring, Pacquiao is also a success off of it. He hosts a tv show in one of the biggest stations in the Philippines, has lucrative endorsements both here and abroad and serves as a congressman of Sarangani province. He, however, still felt “weak” despite all of these. Realizing that all the money and success in the world would not be enough if his soul ends up in hell later on, Pacquiao has decided to quit his vices (gambling, womanizing, drinking) and to draw inspiration from the Bible.

Now able to quote several Bible passages by heart and to share the word of God to anyone who is willing to listen, the boxing champ has also just accepted a new challenge as a Bible ambassador for the Catholic Church in the Philippines. A known “sabungero”, Pacquiao revealed in an interview that he has now given away his fighting cocks. He has also sold his shares in a casino. Proceeds of the sale went to the employees of Poker Asia, according to spokeswoman Rose Tamayo. Pacquiao is also planning to convert a bar that he owns into a place for Bible sessions.

Having been rumored in the past to be a womanizer, he now declares that he stays mostly at home to spend time with his family. His wife, Jinkee, who has struggled with infidelity rumors in the past involving Manny, is obviously very happy with the development. And so is Pacmom Dionisia Pacquiao, a devout Catholic. Pacquiao also has plans of quitting boxing in the immediate future. Some say that his upcoming fight with Timothy Bradley might be his last. While fans would undoubtedly be sad with this bit of news, we should also be heartened by the fact that he is now choosing to become a champion in a different ring.

In this bigger arena called life, boxing superstar Pacquiao has decided to knockout his vices (tougher than the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya and Erik Morales) and to live a life of meaning. Pacquiao and the likes of Makati-born American football player Tim Tebow and rising Taiwanese-American basketball star Jeremy Lin are all a breath of fresh air in the world of sports. All three have proudly worn their faith on their sleeves and have openly acknowledged God as the reason behind their successes. All three, based on their actions, desire to be a good example for others and to make a difference.