Manny’s next big fight is a TV game show

After winning titles in eight different weight classes, Filipino sports superstar Manny Pacquiao has earned the world’s adoration as the number one pound-for-pound boxer.

But Mr. Pacquiao’s interests extend beyond the boxing ring. He has appeared in movies and TV sitcoms. He has recorded albums (he has two platinum records), and has performed in sold-out concerts.

He has even dabbled in politics, winning as Sarangani province congressman in 2010 after failing to win in 2007.

But don’t look now. The 32-year-old boxing legend is setting his sights on another goal — being a game show host.

Mr. Pacquiao will host his own weekly game show called Manny Many Prizes starting this Saturday (July 16) at 6 p.m. on GMA Network, Inc.’s Channel 7.

The show will air every Saturday against two other game shows — ABS-CBN Corp. currently airs the local version of the American game show The Price is Right hosted by Kris Aquino, while TV5 has Will Time Big Time hosted by Willie Revillame.

“I am not here to compete,” Mr. Pacquiao told reporters last week in Filipino. “I am just here to help the poor. The other shows also help the poor. I will just be an addition.”

Mr. Pacquiao is no stranger to poverty. When he was growing up in General Santos City, he had to leave school because his parents did not have enough money to support his studies.

Because of this, he ran away from home at 14. He said he found himself living on the streets of Manila. Eventually he fought his way out of poverty through boxing.

“All my life has been a fight,” Mr. Pacquiao said in the vernacular. “As a child, I had to fight to eat. That was my background when I was young.”

Taking his boxing training seriously, he turned pro at the age of 16. He said he earned P1,000 in his first bout. “I was very happy. I was not thinking about how much money I would get. I just wanted to be a good boxer and win,” he said.

Over the past 12 years, Mr. Pacquiao has conquered opponents and earned the world’s admiration. But he insists that his greatest fight has yet to be won, and the main event did not happen in the ring, but outside of it.

“The biggest fight of my life is how to end poverty,” Mr. Pacquiao said.

While he would rather not talk about it, those who know him say that the boxer has donated millions of pesos to causes ranging from education and health services to building homes for the poor.

But Mr. Pacquiao is the first to admit that his fight against poverty will not be won overnight.

He said he became a congressman to carry on the fight against poverty outside the ring.

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