Boxing hero Pacquiao mixes religion and training
BAGUIO, Philippines, April 22, 2012 (AFP) - Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has combined his new-found religious fervour with his training for an upcoming fight, holding bible-reading sessions after daily workouts.
The 33-year-old Pacquiao, who faces unbeaten American Timothy Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas, said he would also follow up his fight with a “preaching session” at one of the country's biggest coliseums.
“It is open to all religions,” he told reporters late Saturday
It is open to all religions,” he told reporters late Saturday in the mountainous resort city where he began altitude training last week.
in the mountainous resort city where he began altitude training last week.
Pacquiao, formerly known for enjoying latenight parties and gambling, now ends almost every training day with a bible session in an auditorium in the hotel which serves as his training camp. These sessions, which can go for over two hours, have attracted scores of people who come to see the boxing hero ask religious questions and quote from the bible.
American boxing promoter Bob Arum who handles Pacquiao's fights, said he preferred this more devout fighter to the one who used to drink and gamble long into the night.
“It is much better than the things he did in the past,” said Arum in a telephone interview on Sunday.
Earlier this year, Pacquiao, regarded by many in the sport as the world's best pound-forpound fighter, announced he had undergone a religious conversion and was giving up all of his vices.