Manny Pacquiao on Faith, Politics, and Fighting Floyd Mayweather: 'God Has a Purpose,' Champ Says
Manny Pacquiao, boxer and member of the Philippine House of Representatives, attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. last Thursday and spoke about his faith and intention to serve God in everything he does.
"I'm happy to be here because it's a chance to share my faith, my belief in God," Pacquiao told Fox News Sunday. "God has a purpose … He bring me back into His kingdom to glorify His name, to let people know that there is a God who can raise people from nothing into something."
The current welterweight champion used to lead a life full of partying, gambling, and drinking. However, that all changed when he heard God speak to him in a dream.
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"In my life, I've been graced to hear the word of God," he told Yahoo Sports in Nov. "If they believe me or not, it's up to them. I heard the voice of God. I felt like I was melting. I felt like I'd died. I felt I was melting when I heard the voice of God. It was the turning point in my life. God spoke to me and he told me what He wanted me to do and I had to follow. I've tried to live my life that way. This is my life's work, to spread the Word."
He also told Fox News that his heart now "wants to read the Bible and obey God. That's how God changed my life."
And one of those changes involved running for, and winning, election to the Philippine House of Representatives. Though Pacquiao admitted that he "hates politics," he believes he can "help more people" by being an elected official.
"I don't have that in my mind right now, but if it's God's will, it will be done," he said of possibly running for President of the Philippines. In the meantime, he is busy building a church in General Santos City, where more people can come to learn and worship God.
Even with all of these projects, there is still one thing left unfinished in Pacquiao's life, and that is a match with Floyd Mayweather.
"I'm thinking that fight will happen and within one week will hear from him [Mayweather]. I don't want to retire from boxing [when] there is a big question in the minds of fans as to who would win in the fight," he explained.
In a video posted to Mayweather's Instagram account on Saturday night, he can be heard telling Pacquiao, "We have to make this fight happen."
Both sides are heavily involved in discussion to plan the fight, which fans have been dreaming about for years. No matter what may happen, though, Pacquiao knows what his true priority in life is.
"When you have Jesus in your life, and you have God in your life, the thing(s) in this world are not important but God is important," the champion said.
