Dubai: Manny Pacquaio made it to TIME Magazine’s “Person of the Year 2009” list, which named US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke as this year’s Person of the Year.
Pacman’s entry into the list is one of the greatest birthday gifts for the Filipino boxing superstar, who turned 31 on Thursday (December 17).
Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran Pacquiao celebrated his birthday in his hometown in General Santos City with his family, members of Team Pacquiao and his friends.
“Manny is not only a great boxer but he is also a wonderful friend. Right now we are celebrating the birthday of this great fighter. We are having a party here – Manny is singing right now,” says former world boxing champion Dodie “Boy” Penalosa, now a member of Team Pacquiao, who attended the celebration.
After his birthday bash, Manny will have a more private celebration of Christmas and New Year with his family in General Santos.
Dancing Mayweather?
A bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in March awaits the Filipino boxing sensation after the holidays. Pacquiao-Mayweather, dubbed "Fight of the Century," will the most awaited event in 2010. On January 11, a press conference is expected to be held in New York City to officially announce the much-awaited fight.
Team Pacquiao confirmed to Gulf News that Manny will start his training in January and it may be held in Los Angeles and not in Baguio City, the base of the first half of his training for the fight against Miguel Cotto last November.
“I am ready to face and fight Mayweather," Pacquiao told Gulf News, adding that he can adjust to Mayweather's fighting style. "Mayweather will just run around the ring; that is the strategy of his coach. Mayweather is not an attacker.”
There is no final venue for the fight. If it will be at the MGM Grand, the tickets are expected to fetch at least $2,500 each, or $500 more than the dela Hoya vs. Mayweather fight.
Born of typical poverty-stricken Filipino family, Pacquiao defied all odds to acclaimed the Philippines' "People’s Champ" and "Pambansang Kamao" (National Fist).
The reigning No.1 pound-for-pound fighter of the world has demolished several boxing greats of his time, including the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Eric Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and recently Cotto. His victory over Cotto also made him the first-ever boxer to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions.
