Manny Pacquiao
WBO welterweight champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (C) waves to his fans during a victory parade in Manila November 27, 2014. The country's boxing hero Pacquiao outclassed American challenger Chris Algieri to retain his WBO welterweight title in Macau on Sunday, knocking down the American, who was undefeated in 20 professional fights, six times in the 12-round title fight. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

Manny Pacquiao is truly an example of a true rags-to-riches story. He didn’t start out on easy street. He conquered difficult odds with barely anything to start out with - from penniless homes to disadvantaged surroundings. However, Pacquiao had defied the odds to establish himself among the richest and most successful athletes of the current era.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports’ Ed Robinson and Johnny Nelson, Pacquiao shared his tough beginnings. The eight-division Filipino world champion revealed how he once lived a poor but a humble life.

Pacquiao recalled the first time that he fought, which eventually paved the way for him to become who he is today in the sport of boxing. At a young age of 12 years old, Pacquiao, prodded by his friends, signed up for a boxing event that was held weekly at the place where he grew up. Pacquiao thought it was a good idea since he would be earning money regardless if he wins or loses.

According to Pacquiao, he didn’t really plan to be a boxer at all. He said that he only thought of becoming a full-pledged boxer when he kept winning his fights. More than winning his fights, Pacquiao has fought so he can earn money to support the needs of his family.

“My story is, really, can inspire people because we start from nothing into something,” Pacquiao said. “I mean, we don’t have nothing - sometimes we don’t have food to eat, that’s why we put our name to fight in boxing, sometimes we don’t have food to eat and just water to survive in a day.”

Coming from a poor family in a third world country and raised by a single mother, it is not astonishing that Pacquiao’s rise from poverty to prosperity is fascinating. He ranked 11th in Forbes’ 2014 List of Richest Athletes and is considered of the wealthiest boxers in the world today.

Pacquiao’s rags-to-riches story is featured in his documentary titled “Manny,” which premiered in Los Angeles on Jan. 20. The film traces back to Pacquiao’s humble beginnings in his native hometown in Bukidnon, Philippines. It retells Pacquiao’s journey as a young fighter towards becoming a world-renowned boxing star.

Video source: YouTube/Manny Pacquiao Movie

To reach the author of this article, email r.corpuz@IBTimes.com.au.

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