Pacquiao likes to give more than he receives
LAS VEGAS:
Boxer Manny Pacquiao, known as the people’s champion in his native Philippines, says he has given away about $200 million on projects to help the less fortunate. “Every income I receive in boxing, almost half of it goes to the less fortunate,” Pacquiao said. “After each fight, half of my income goes to the poor. “But I don’t like to announce it.” According to Forbes, Pacquiao’s income from career purses and endorsements is around $500 million. Pacquiao has a number of projects underway in the Philippines including building 1,500 homes on the island of Mindanao. He also helped to buy a fleet of new boats for fishermen in a coastal community. Pacquiao says he needs to keep fighting so he can continue the charity work that has done throughout much of his 21-year boxing career. Pacquiao was elected to the Philippine Senate in May. He sits on 15 committees, two of which he chairs. His Senate duties have meant he has only been able to train part-time for the upcoming fight against Jessie Vargas. “I enjoy politics because I do not have a hidden agenda. I serve honestly,” he said. —AFP
MADRID:
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insists his squad of superstars can’t rest on their laurels after blowing a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Polish champions Legia Warsaw in midweek. Zidane’s men return to La Liga action today at home to Leganes and the Frenchman wants a more rounded performance from his side. “I always think that I have the best squad in the world, but at the same time that is not enough,” said Zidane yesterday. Only Mateo Kovacic’s equaliser five minutes from time prevented Real’s 27-game unbeaten streak coming to an end in the most unlikely fashion as Legia took their frist Champions League point for 21 years. “We need to go out onto the pitch and always play at our top level for 90 minutes. To be persistent is the hardest thing in football.” Despite their unbeaten run and still enjoying a two-point lead at the top of La Liga, Madrid haven’t kept a clean sheet in 10 games in all competitions. Zidane will once again be without his preferred central defensive pairing of captain Sergio Ramos and Pepe due to injury today, but called on the whole team to defend better as a unit. — AFP