Pacquiao rises from Manila streets to legendary superstar

Jim SLATER

Before he was a teenager, Manny Pacquiao was selling cigarettes on the streets of Manila trying to survive. Now he is a Filipino hero and superstar on the verge of making boxing history.

The 30-year-old southpaw will face Britain's Ricky Hatton on Saturday for the Englishman's junior welterweight title. A Pacquiao victory would match him for the all-time record of world crowns in six different weight divisions.

Imporant

"It's very imporant to me to win titles in six different divisions. It's a big honor for my country," Pacquiao said. "If it happens, people will put my name on the list with the greatest boxing legends in history."

Born to a farming family, Pacquiao moved to Manila at 12 to seek his fortune and start his boxing career. Memories of poverty and tough times inspire the Asian world pound-for-pound kingpin even now.

"In that moment I really wanted to box but I had to work because of my every day needs," Pacquiao said. "It's a hard life but that's what made me able to have my career now.."My family and I have sacrificed. And everything I can do, it's for the honor of my country. They have all done so much for me."

Standstill

When Pacquiao fights, the Philippines nearly comes to a standstill. So great is his support that soldiers say there are no conflicts with opponents during his fights. It's a rare devotion and one Pacquiao gladly returns.

"The people are amazing when I come back to the Philippines. They are all happy. I can't express the feelings but I was sure they were happy," Pacquiao said. "The most important thing for me is giving happiness to the Philippines."

At 48-3 with two drawn and 36 knockouts, Pacquiao has dominated every weight class he has fought in a 14-year career, taking world titles at flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight..Weighing 112 pounds when he won his first world title 10 years ago, Pacquiao capped he triumphs by stopping six-division world champion Oscar de la Hoya in the eighth round last June at 145 pounds.

The victory secured Pacquaio's place in boxing history and as the current pound-for-pound king. Known for his speed and punishing attack style, Pacquiao has entertained as well as conquered.

"He has the potential by the time his career is over to be considered one of the real greats in the sport," veteran promoter Bob Arum said. "I've never seen such speed combined with such explosiveness before.

Great fighters

"Manny's body of work at this point establishes him as one of the great fighters in the history of boxing and I believe there is a lot more to come that will cement that legacy."

With the retirements of de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jnr, boxing's two top pay-per-view moneyspinners are sidelined.

LAS VEGAS, AFP