Twelve-time boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao confirms he is ‘not afraid to die’ while helping fellow Filipinos amidst the coronavirus pandemic which is set to infect thousands, and possibly even more.
The virus, originally from China, has ripped through the world sending shockwaves through every community amongst it, closing schools, bars and gatherings over 10 people.
Globally, the virus has killed 15,361, and has infected 351,705, however, despite this, Pacquiao insists he isn’t scared or intimated by it.
The Filipino, who currently has a professional record of 62 wins, seven losses and two draws, explained to Filipino media, as per Boxing Scene: “If you are a leader, you have to be a front-liner. You have to lead people and let people see that you are with them. I grew up poor. I know what they feel.”
After becoming a senator of The Philippines in 2016, Pacquiao hasn’t fought as regularly due to his senator schedule consuming most of his life, leaving him only a small window in which he is forced to arrange fights in.
Pacquiao, who is now 41 years old, has been very vocal in his support of medical personnel testing and treating Filipinos as well. He has made numerous public appearances and has tried to reassure residents fearful of Covid-19 spreading even more.
To assist their cause, and in a drastic hope to speed up recovery, he has donated five buses to transport healthcare workers around Manila. Alongside this, Pacquiao has also confirmed he is awaiting the delivery of 50,000 coronavirus testing kits.
Pac-Man, as he is informally known in the boxing community, has pledged to help as many as he can, and ‘understands the risks’ that come with his work to combat the virus.
Speaking to the media in his native land, he's admitted he's willing to die for the cause.
During the covid-19 panic, one thing that isn’t being talked about is Pacquiao’s return to the ring, however, it has now been finalised that his return has been suspended indefinitely.
During the time he would usually spend training for fights, he has promised to carry on working, just on different things. He is looking to provide locals of Manila with food, supplies and essentials they need in order to survive.
When Pacquiao does eventually return to the ring, provisionally in July, although it is thought it will be a lot later now, his potential opponents are as followed; Former four-division champion Mikey Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs), ex-two-division champion Danny Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs), former welterweight champion Shawn Porter (30-3-1, 29 KOs) and IBF/WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. (26-0, 21 KOs)