37-year-old eight-division world champion boxer and current Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao has demonstrated his philanthropic spirit by funding the construction of 1,000 homes for the underprivileged in his hometown of Sarangani Province.
“I’m so happy giving these houses free to my constituents in the Sarangani Province from my own pocket – more than thousand families are the beneficiaries,” Pacquiao shared on Facebook, expressing his joy in contributing to the community’s welfare.
The funds for this charitable endeavor, which aims to provide shelter for those in need, were largely derived from Pacquiao’s earnings from the historic ‘Fight of the Century’ against Floyd Mayweather on May 2, 2015. Despite losing the bout by two judges’ scores of 116–112 and 118–110, Pacquiao received substantial compensation for his participation in the highly anticipated match.
Pacquiao, often hailed as the greatest Asian boxer and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters globally, was also recognized as the second highest-paid athlete in 2015. His dedication to improving the lives of others extends beyond his boxing career and political duties. As he concludes his six-year term as Senator, Pacquiao remains committed to funding additional housing projects in his childhood hometown, emphasizing his enduring gratitude and faith-driven mission to give back.
“I will never forget where I came from. I thank God for allowing me to help other people,” Pacquiao affirmed on Twitter, underscoring his heartfelt commitment to philanthropy and community service amidst his illustrious career in sports and politics.