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What the champ did after the fight
By Cheche Moral
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:18:00 07/13/2008
MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is a sore loser.
That pretty much sums up the workings of the mind of the boxing champion, according to his business manager.
“In any hobby he takes up, he’s very competitive,” says Eric Pineda, who sometimes plays chess against the boxer for 10-12 hours straight. “He doesn’t like to lose. But he wants to play against those who are better than him. He wants to be the underdog.”
Pineda is in Pacquiao’s most intimate circle. Apart from running Pacquiao’s business affairs, Pineda has a front-row seat in the ongoing movie that’s the life of this first Asian boxer to win four world championships in four different weight categories.
“There’s never a dull moment with Manny,” Pineda says. “He always has to be doing something. Pag pagod na, that’s when he just sits and stays quiet. He likes to be with his fans. He instructs his bodyguards not to prevent fans from asking for autographs.”
It’s only when he’s in training that admirers and hangers-on are off-limits. In a Thai restaurant next to the gym where he trains in Los Angeles, USA, Pacquiao usually entertains Fil-Am fans.
Apart from chess, Pineda also lists darts and surfing the Internet as among Pacquiao’s favored pastimes. The champ has quit ******** and alcohol.
“He’s a good family man,” Pineda says. “He never had a childhood... All these things, even people na nakapag-aral, if they all come in succession, maguguluhan ka rin... Whenever his family is in the US, pinapadede nya si Princess (Pacquiao’s only daughter), he changes the diapers. Sometimes he washes the dishes even when he doesn’t have to.”
In short, the people’s champ tries to live as normal a family life as he could.
On Nov. 8, Pacquiao is set to defend his WBC lightweight title against the Venezuelan Edwin Valero. There’s no slowing down for the 29-year-old, who’s at the peak of his career.
“We’re taking advantage of his popularity worldwide,” Pineda says. “He has to get all the big money fights in preparation for his retirement. We have a 10-year plan; we want to see what’s the ideal goal for him.”
That includes the choices for Pacquiao’s product endorsements. “We want things he can represent globally,” he adds.
Politics is taking a backseat indefinitely, according to Pineda. Aside from his TV show, Pacquiao will devote his attention to boxing fully in the next two years.
Astute
Contrary to what many may think, the boxer is astute in his spending. His businesses are set up and run by professionals. He doesn’t spend on himself as much as he does on his family. His waterloo? His love for his wife and children.
“Manny knows his limitations,” says his manager. “He understands that with all his successes, the counterpart is the responsibility. He can’t act just like anyone else... Before, he used to get ruffled by the negative publicity. But he’s learned to take things lightly. He knows it’s part of the business.”
In fact, Pacquiao’s joys aren’t as fancy as one may think. The idol is also a fan.
When he was training for the lightweight title in Las Vegas, the Boston Celtics fan treated his team when the Celtics won the NBA finals. This piece of info found its way into Boston’s local papers, according to Pineda.
When Pacquaio learned the cagers were in Las Vegas to celebrate their victory and wanted to see him fight, he invited them to watch.
“All 16 players were there,” says Pineda. “After the fight, he went to the shower. Di pa nga nagpupunas, lumabas na just to meet them. It was a big deal for Manny. Para syang bata.”
By Cheche Moral
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:18:00 07/13/2008
MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is a sore loser.
That pretty much sums up the workings of the mind of the boxing champion, according to his business manager.
“In any hobby he takes up, he’s very competitive,” says Eric Pineda, who sometimes plays chess against the boxer for 10-12 hours straight. “He doesn’t like to lose. But he wants to play against those who are better than him. He wants to be the underdog.”
Pineda is in Pacquiao’s most intimate circle. Apart from running Pacquiao’s business affairs, Pineda has a front-row seat in the ongoing movie that’s the life of this first Asian boxer to win four world championships in four different weight categories.
“There’s never a dull moment with Manny,” Pineda says. “He always has to be doing something. Pag pagod na, that’s when he just sits and stays quiet. He likes to be with his fans. He instructs his bodyguards not to prevent fans from asking for autographs.”
It’s only when he’s in training that admirers and hangers-on are off-limits. In a Thai restaurant next to the gym where he trains in Los Angeles, USA, Pacquiao usually entertains Fil-Am fans.
Apart from chess, Pineda also lists darts and surfing the Internet as among Pacquiao’s favored pastimes. The champ has quit ******** and alcohol.
“He’s a good family man,” Pineda says. “He never had a childhood... All these things, even people na nakapag-aral, if they all come in succession, maguguluhan ka rin... Whenever his family is in the US, pinapadede nya si Princess (Pacquiao’s only daughter), he changes the diapers. Sometimes he washes the dishes even when he doesn’t have to.”
In short, the people’s champ tries to live as normal a family life as he could.
On Nov. 8, Pacquiao is set to defend his WBC lightweight title against the Venezuelan Edwin Valero. There’s no slowing down for the 29-year-old, who’s at the peak of his career.
“We’re taking advantage of his popularity worldwide,” Pineda says. “He has to get all the big money fights in preparation for his retirement. We have a 10-year plan; we want to see what’s the ideal goal for him.”
That includes the choices for Pacquiao’s product endorsements. “We want things he can represent globally,” he adds.
Politics is taking a backseat indefinitely, according to Pineda. Aside from his TV show, Pacquiao will devote his attention to boxing fully in the next two years.
Astute
Contrary to what many may think, the boxer is astute in his spending. His businesses are set up and run by professionals. He doesn’t spend on himself as much as he does on his family. His waterloo? His love for his wife and children.
“Manny knows his limitations,” says his manager. “He understands that with all his successes, the counterpart is the responsibility. He can’t act just like anyone else... Before, he used to get ruffled by the negative publicity. But he’s learned to take things lightly. He knows it’s part of the business.”
In fact, Pacquiao’s joys aren’t as fancy as one may think. The idol is also a fan.
When he was training for the lightweight title in Las Vegas, the Boston Celtics fan treated his team when the Celtics won the NBA finals. This piece of info found its way into Boston’s local papers, according to Pineda.
When Pacquaio learned the cagers were in Las Vegas to celebrate their victory and wanted to see him fight, he invited them to watch.
“All 16 players were there,” says Pineda. “After the fight, he went to the shower. Di pa nga nagpupunas, lumabas na just to meet them. It was a big deal for Manny. Para syang bata.”
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