Pound for pound, Manny is the best boxer in the world, but even more important than holding that distinction, Manny has connected with the people of his home country, the Philippines, to the point where he is almost like a god. --Lennox Lewis, former heavyweight boxer and HBO commentator Pacman is Manny's miracle story - his autobiography. Born and raised in an impoverished village in the Philippines, Manny began his life on the ropes. He provided for his family of five in his pre-boxing life by selling practically anything and everything on the streets just to help his family survive. The hard work, determination, and sheer grit that would characterize him as a boxer showed through in a big way during these early years. Though he dreamed of being a priest, his mother could not afford the education, so he soon found another way to move heaven and earth: boxing. According to the New York Times, Manny is pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world today. His rags-to-riches story will inspire you.
Including conversations with world leaders, Nobel prizewinners, business leaders, artists and Olympians, Vikas Shah quizzes the minds that matter on the big questions that concern us all.
Manny Pacquiao, 31, was recently named "Fighter of the Decade" by the Boxing Writers' Association and is the only fighter ever to capture seven championship belts in seven different weight classes. But few could have imagined that Pacquiao would have ever reached the pinnacle of his sport, considering his background. He ran away from home -- a cardboard shack in General Santos City in the Philippines -- at age fourteen. After making his way to Manila, and eventually the United States, Pacquiao hooked up with trainer Freddie Roach in 2001, and, from there, his fighting career took off. Named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" last year, the aptly nicknamed Pac-Man is a fascinating figure who will go down as one of the greatest boxers in history.
ABOUT THE BOOK Manny Pacquiao has a record unrivaled in the history of boxing, including titles in eight different weight divisions. Experts consider him, pound-for-pound, the best boxer in the world. He is an unstoppable force, with punches of lightning speed and razor-sharp accuracy. He has amassed a vast personal fortune from his fights, endorsements, and real estate investments. He has received humanitarian awards in his native Philippines. Time magazine even named him one of the 100 most influential people of 2009. His fans the world over include politicians (such as Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) and superstar athletes (like Boston Celtic Kevin Garnett). He goes by many nicknames, including Pac Man, The People’s Champ, and The Destroyer. And in the Philippines, he is revered like none other. His persona has taken on a legendary status, thanks in great part to his love for his nation. Despite his wealth, he lives in his impoverished hometown of General Santos City. He is known to be generous and charitable, handing out money and gifts to those in need. He is the founder of the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, a philanthropic organization aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans. He has even become a congressman in his native country. MEET THE AUTHOR Ben Sztajnkrycer was born in Montreal, Canada and moved to Los Angeles to pursue filmmaking. He is a graduate of UCLA’s prestigious screenwriting program, where he won numerous awards for his work. He teaches screenwriting at Cal State Fullerton. In his free time, Ben loves watching “Polar Express” and “Thomas the Tank Engine” over and over and over and over with his four-year-old son. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK He has starred in a number of Filipino action films, including “Wapakman,” in which he played a septic tank repairman who becomes a superhero to foil the doomsday plot of a nuclear terrorist. He also portrayed a Robin Hood-esque rebel fighting the oppression of drug dealers and corrupt politicians alike in “Fist of Folly” (aka “Anak ng Kumander.”) He has even starred in his own sitcom entitled “Show me the Manny.” Reviews have not been kind. As a businessman, Manny Pacquiao owns a substantial amount of commercial real estate in General Santos City, from convenience stores to large buildings. He owns a Pacquiao souvenir shop, which sells any kind of Pacquiao memento you could dream of. He even owns a basketball team, the Pac Man Gensan... Buy a copy to keep reading!
This book is specifically written for both Pacman fans, boxing enthusiasts and random individuals who wish to take a closer look at the life of the “Peoples Champion”. A sporting icon, Filipino’s pride and a man with countless abilities - that’s how Manny Pacquiao is often described. In the realm of boxing he is known as “Pacman”, but in the real world he is recognized as an idol of the mass - a man who had been a figure of hope, determination and success. His story is simply one of a kind. Born from a middle-class family and struggled with poverty, had dreamed, faced countless obstacles (in ring and in real life), but surpassed each one with utmost courage, and eventually achieved success. He is the exact person to show the journey of a man from ‘rugs to riches’. Manny Pacquiao undoubtedly deserves the recognition as world’s best fighter and pound-for-pound king. Everyone is perhaps fully aware how he beat the boxing champion in several fights. A true champion, isn’t he? But that’s not where his virtuosity ends. Manny Pacquiao has been vigorously pursuing his attention and interest in diverse fields such as entertainment (acting and singing), politics and other kind of sports. All of his achievements speak for his tremendous success. However, what really caught the heart and interest of the crowd is the fact that he had been once a simple boy living a simple life but with great determination and hard work, and ready to actualize his dreams. “Pacman” has already reached the peak of success and currently serving his nation. But success is never without difficulties.
Boxer Manny Pacquiao has won multiple world championships and is the only fighter in the sport's history to win titles in eight different weight classes. When Manny fought Floyd Mayweather in 2015, many people called it the fight of the century. But Manny is much more than just a boxer. He is also a musician and an actor, and he has even played professional basketball. In 2010, Manny became a congressman in the Philippines. Learn more about the Filipino fighter who has taken the boxing world by storm.
It's time to enter the ring and meet the greatest boxers of all time! Readers will learn about the sport and look at exciting facts and stats presented in an engaging top-10 format.
6. David Choe's "KOREANS GONE BAD": The LA Riots, Comparative Racialization, and Branding a Politics of Deviance -- Part II. Making Community -- 7. From the Mekong to the Merrimack and Back: The Transnational Terrains of Cambodian American Rap -- 8. "You'll Learn Much about Pakistanis from Listening to Radio": Pakistani Radio Programming in Houston, Texas -- 9. Online Asian American Popular Culture, Digitization, and Museums -- 10. Asian American Food Blogging as Racial Branding: Rewriting the Search for Authenticity
Based on his popular Instagram feed @Manny_the_Frenchie and Facebook profile, this is an illustrated and humorous guide to living a happy and fulfilling life by “the most famous French bulldog in the world…who’s downright amazing” (Buzzfeed.com). In 2011, Manny was the runt of the litter and on his way to a shelter. But when his parents scooped him up, named him after the world famous boxer, Manny Pacquiao, and began posting photos of him sleeping in their sink accompanied by humorous, optimistic captions, Manny went viral. Whether he’s wearing sunglasses, hitting up music festivals, or sleeping in adorable costumes, this little Frenchie always encourages a positive, do-gooder outlook to his followers. Packed with cheeky humor, witty wisdom, and charming anecdotes, Manny the Frenchie’s Art of Happiness will satisfy dog lovers of all breeds.
