LOS ANGELES – Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has nothing more left to prove after a legendary career that has seen him become the first fighter in history to win title belts in eight different weight divisions.
Indeed, Pacquiao announced his retirement earlier this year after a 12-round demolition of Timothy Bradley Jr., which saw him floor the American boxer twice.His "retirement" turned out to be more of a brief vacation, however, and Pacquiao is returning to the ring on November 5 to face Jessie Vargas.
For his promoter, Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum, money is the root of Pacquiao's decision to make his return.
"What keeps Manny Pacquiao fighting is the money. Why is the money important? You can't build thousands of homes for poor people in the Philippines out of thin air," Arum said.
"Most of Manny Pacquiao's money goes to charity," he stressed. "That's why he is fighting."
Forbes estimates that Pacquiao has amassed $500 million in career earnings, and the 37-year-old boxer/senator has been a mainstay of "richest athletes" lists for years now.
He is looking at another big payday on November 5 against Vargas, but Pacquiao insists that his upcoming bout is more about history than money.
"The reason I am here (is), I want to make a record again," he explained. "The first time as an active senator and boxer. Especially if I win the fight, I'll become a champion again."
Pacquiao admitted that a good part of the money he earns through boxing has gone to the Filipino people.
"Lahat ng pera na income ko, kinikita ko sa boxing career ko… halos kalahati noon, binibigay ko sa taong bayan," he said. "I'm sad to announce it sa mga tao na na-offend, but 'yun ang ginawa natin."
His reason for this is simple: Pacquiao has never forgotten his humble roots.
"Galing ako sa mahirap, kaya nararamdaman ko ang mga nararamdaman nila, at tinutulungan ko sila," he said.
SOURCE: ABS-CBN
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