Leading boxing promoter and Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum has been promoting boxing events since 1973 and has handled and developed the career of many boxing champions including the great Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Oscar de la Hoya.
But in 2010, the respected octogenarian promoter created a stir when he proclaimed that his ace fighter, Manny Pacquiao, is the best boxer of all time, suggesting that the Filipino superstar is better than Ali.
At first, many sports writers and casual fans scoffed at his declaration but Pacquiao’s success in the ring and increasing cross-over appeal even among non boxing fans could prove that Arum after all maybe right.
But what makes him special?
Armed with destructive power in both hands, amazing speed and hunger for honor, Pacquiao is the only fighter in history to win titles in eight weight divisions.
His crowd-pleasing style and ability to destroy opponents as he goes up in weight have made him a cross-over superstar of the sport that is largely dismissed as a dying sport by mainstream media.
Above all, his humility and success story – from the time he was peddling bread and cigarettes in the streets of General Santos City to his ascent to boxing superstardom – continue to inspire millions of people around the world.
Fame
Hollywood stars like Mark Wahlberg, Steven Seagal, Mario Lopez, Denzel Washington flock to in Las Vegas to see him fight. And oh, even socialite Paris Hilton twitted that she will attend Pacquiao’s upcoming fight against Mosley.
He has also graced the cover of popular international magazines such as TIME and Readers’ Digest. Pacquiao has also appeared as guest on American shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC and was featured in the highly acclaimed news magazine show 60 Minutes on CBS.
Influence
And his popularity isn’t confined to the ring as he successfully dipped his hands in the political arena. In 2010, he won congressional seat in the lone-district of Saranggani province and in the process ending the dominance of a well-entrenched political dynasty that has ruled the locality for about a decade.
In November 2010, Manny Pacquiao has proven that his political influence extends to the United States of America when he helped Las Vegas Senator Harry Reid get re-elected over early favorite Sharon Angle.
Fortune
For his fight against Mosley, Pacquiao will receive a guaranteed pay of $15 million or about P 650 million bringing his total purses in boxing to $100 million or P4.3 billion which don’t yet include his earnings from endorsements and other business ventures.
From his mansion in General Santos and Las Angeles to his expensive fleet of vehicles, Pacquiao is not shy to show off the fruits of his labor. Noted boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino once claimed that Pacquiao’s dollar reserves are bigger than that of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Just when we thought that we already knew Manny Pacquiao, ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs delivers a special report that offers fresh take on how popular, influential and wealthy the Filipino sports icon has become not only in the Philippines but on international stage as well.
Join Dyan Castillejo on this special telecast which will air On May 7, Saturday 4:00 p.m.
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