Tracing the Story of Manny Pacquiao

Written by Juwayn Keane

In the Case study of Manny Pacquiao: Tracing the footsteps of a boxing icon [2nd half of the Chapter on "Boxing in the Philippines: The fight for survival, The authors begin by reflecting on their work with Filipino amateur boxers, many of whom come from modest or impoverished backgrounds. Boxing, for most, is not a hobby but a pathway to economic survival and a possible escape from hardship. Unlike athletes in more privileged contexts, very few Filipino boxers have college degrees or vocational training.

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Some, if able to achieve such heights, leave the sport once they have earned enough to pursue other forms of livelihood. Within this environment, the boxers expressed deep appreciation that a well-educated professional took interest in their lives, an early reminder that respect and recognition are powerful psychological resources for fighters who are often overlooked.

It was common for boxers to have deep faith and spiritual practices. Boxers prayed before sessions, after sessions and this was seen as an emotional coping strategy, or a form of centering. The authors note that while this spirituality can foster resilience, it may also lead to an over-reliance on God as the answer to their boxing. Alongside spirituality, superstition was common, as was humour, singing, and the determination summed up in the Filipino idea of heart. These traits form the cultural backdrop against which Manny Pacquiao’s story is told.

Pacquiao, who rose from extreme poverty and worked odd jobs whilst entering boxing, is presented as the embodiment of these cultural and psychological themes. Based on interviews and analysis, the authors identify four major pillars of his psychological preparation. 

First, his initial motivation was survival. To escape hunger and hardship. Over time, his purpose expanded: he came to see boxing as a mission to uplift his fellow Filipinos. His identity became bound up with family, community, country, and God.

Second, Pacquiao’s faith is central not as a passive submission to divine will, but as a

framework that places responsibility on him to work with absolute dedication. He believes that while God ultimately grants strength and benevolence, it is his duty to train relentlessly, prepare with sincerity, and honour his blessings through hard work. Anxiety is eased not because the outcome is predetermined, but because he trusts that he has done his part and that God will meet his effort with guidance. Prayer, therefore, is not merely a coping mechanism but a worldview that frames his athletic pursuit as a moral and spiritual vocation.

Third, he emphasises absolute determination ,continual learning, giving full effort, and embracing the relentless discipline required for excellence. For Pacquiao, hard work and grabbing every opportunity is all that mattered for success.

Fourth, he highlights intelligence as essential to boxing success. This is not academic intelligence but the ability to make rapid decisions, read an opponent, and adjust strategy instantly under pressure. The authors argue that Pacquiao challenges conventional sport psychology frameworks. His success suggests that formal psychological programs are not always necessary; character strengths developed through adversity, purpose, determination, spiritual grounding, and situational intelligence can themselves function as powerful psychological tools. They call for sport psychology to incorporate cultural nuance, particularly the role of faith, poverty, community ties, and culturally specific motivations.

Importantly, they argue that poverty does not produce despair by default; in Pacquiao’s case, it helped generate purpose, resilience, and an expansive sense of responsibility.

Ultimately, Pacquiao’s worldview not any single mental skill explains his psychological effectiveness. Understanding how athletes construct meaning within their cultural contexts is essential for interpreting their motivations, decisions, and performance.