Manny Pacquiao on Staying Young, Running for President and YouTube Boxers

Legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao would like you to know that he’s 42 years old. He reminded me of that fact numerous times when we talked ahead of his fight with WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas this Saturday. The Filipino icon is the only fighter to win world titles in eight divisions over four different decades. Yet at 42, with a Hall-of-Fame worthy boxing career behind him, he still feels like he has something to prove.

In an era where frivolous fights between YouTube stars like Logan Paul and former professional boxers like Floyd Mayweather rake in millions of dollars and impressions on social media, Pacquiao tells me he’s only focused on fighting “the best.” He was set to do just that when he initially chose the undefeated WBC & IBF welterweight champion Erroll Spence Jr. for this fight. Unfortunately for boxing fans, Spence Jr. was forced to pull out due to a retinal tear in his left eye.

It's been two years since Manny’s last match. In 2019, he became the oldest welterweight boxing champion, beating Keith Thurman by split decision. Despite his age and time away from the ring, Pacquiao is steadfast in his confidence—citing his faith in God, which has informed everything from his dogmatic self-belief to his retrograde views on same-sex marriage to his charity work focused on helping the poor—that he’ll add yet another win to his legacy.

Though the current Filipino Senator is hesitant to confirm what comes after what he once again says “could be'' the final fight of his illustrious career, there are rumours of a presidential bid on the horizon. Pacquiao says an announcement about his political career will come in September. Pacquiao sat down with GQ to talk about how he trains differently in his forties, what his presidential platform would be, and his favorite Kobe Bryant memory.

GQ: It’s been two years since you’ve been in the ring. How have you been preparing mentally to make sure there’s no ring rust?

Manny Pacquiao: It helps a lot that I have a break for two years so my body rests. Because I’ve been in boxing for more than two decades, so it's good for me. From the time that I started preparing for the fight until now, I’m happy for my training. I can’t wait. I’m excited. Happy.

Has that positive mindset always come naturally to you?

God gave me this courage. The courage he’s given me has given me the determination and drive to focus on what I want to accomplish. Especially this fight. I think this fight… I can consider that it's something very important in my career and also in my situation because I’m 42, there’s something to prove at the age of 42, that I can still fight with high level opponents.

Is that something to prove to yourself, or to others?

To myself and to other people. To give them inspiration and also to the honor of my country. What I’ve done in boxing, I have already satisfied. I’m happy doing it. Boxing is my passion. That’s why I’m still here. Keep on going. What I’m trying to do is to add more winnings to add to my legacy as a champion and also to accomplish the goal to be the greatest of all time.

What do you think the key to the fight will be?

Of course it will be to pray to God. And be relaxed. Not too over confident in the ring and do the techniques we practice every day in training.

There was talk of you fighting Connor McGregor previously. Your trainer Freddie Roach has said that you have no interest in that. Is that true and why?

Supposedly, they promised me and it's not happening so I’m moving on to another opponent.

So it wasn’t so much that you weren't interested, but that something went wrong with negotiations. Is that what you’re saying?

Yeah, something went wrong. They promising me and then didn’t comply.

Logan Paul came to visit you during training. What do you think of YouTubers challenging professional boxers?

For their information, boxing is not that easy. It’s hard. You cannot say, ‘Oh I’m boxing in a fight’ without preparation. Without experience. It’s not that easy. Boxing is a very hard sport and difficult.

There’s a lot of attention around those fights, with Jake Paul, Mayweather. Is that good for boxing?

If you talk about real boxing, it's not good. If it's just for fans or fundraising, it’s good. It’s good for fundraising. If you talk about serious boxing, it's not good for boxing.

You’ve said before that you want to do what’s good for boxing. Would you ever participate in one of those fights?

Depends on the scenario. For me, there’s no need for me to do that. It’s not a good idea.

I know you’re a big basketball fan. The Lakers recently signed some older players, including Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard. There were a lot of people on the internet making jokes about the age of their roster. Do you have any thoughts on that?

I think next season the Lakers will be a strong team. Lakers and Brooklyn. Milwaukee still strong too. The Suns too. Very competitive. The NBA will be fun to watch.

What do people underestimate about older athletes?

It doesn’t matter. It just depends on you working hard and how you prepare for the game. It’s like boxing, it depends on how hard you work and punish yourself. Not just training but it’s about working hard.

Can you tell me more about that? You can’t actually turn back the hands of Father Time.

Yeah you know, I’ve been studying about that actually. When you get older, you become lazy, and your body becomes bigger and slower. So you have to adjust. The more you become older, the more you work hard and make sure your weight is still the same as when you’re young. Your stamina and quickness… Most important is stamina. That’s what I learn and study about getting older. That’s something I’ve been learning and studying.

Last month you posted a photo wearing a Kobe Bryant shirt. How have you been channeling his mentality leading up to the fight?

My mind is just focused on the fight. Just like Kobe and Jordan.

Do you have a favorite Kobe memory that you hold on to?

Oh yeah, we were friends for a long time. When he went to visit the Philippines, we go out and we have a moment. Hard to forget as a friend. Also, we often met here in LA. When we talk before, we talk about hard work, discipline, and how you punish yourself. That’s how your future is determined.

Are there any other stars you’ve been excited about forming a relationship with?

Besides Kobe, Mark Walhberg. He watch my fight and my training in wildcard.

Nesthy Petecio, who has said you’re one of her heroes, won silver in featherweight boxing at the Olympics. What’s it like to see Filipinos make history?

I’m proud. I’m proud. As a Filipino, what they are doing in the Olympics, especially for the longest time, we didn’t get a gold medal. So I’m happy and proud being a Filipino.

Did the position your boxing career put you in, allowing you to interact with so many people in your country, make you want to pursue a career in politics?

My situation is different because I’ve been there. I came from nothing into something. God raised me for this very purpose and I want to help. I want to help those less fortunate families.

In a potential Presidential campaign, what are the key issues that you’d run on?

Oh there are so many issues we need to focus on. The first thing we need to do is stop corruption and second is economic growth and development. Third is employment. Fourth is sustainable livelihood for its families and also improve services. And also education.

How has COVID changed your political views?

We help not only in the government, we contributed to it in my foundation. We donated almost 2 billion pesos to the government and I think it’s a big help for them. I’m still working out, continuing helping them. Especially the people in need. In hunger. In the pandemic, I feel what they are feeling right now. They really need help. So we maximize our effort to help them. I’ve been there. I feel bad about what their situation is right now.

I know you’ve said you’re focused on this fight but have you thought about plans to retire or announce a presidential bid?

One at a time. After this fight then we can talk another plan. On politics, I’ll make an announcement on September. Because the filing of candidacy is October 1 to 8. So before that I’m going to announce.

So is it safe to say, if you make that announcement, this will be your last fight?

Hard to say if this is my last fight or not. It could be. That’s why I encourage everyone to watch this fight live because it could be my last fight… or not. [laughs]

When you look back at your boxing career, what do you feel the most proud of?

The thing I’m most proud of is being honored in my country. The Philippines are known now in the world because of the sport.