Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao might have earned millions of dollars in just one boxing match, particularly in his "fight of the century" with American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. last May.
However, the Christian sports icon has said that even if he had no money, things would still be the same for him.
He recently shared a photo of himself on his Instagram account (@mannypacquiao) eating a traditional Filipino dish with rice inside a cramped blue room. Pacquiao was wearing a plain white t-shirt with shorts, and was seated on a plastic chair.
The boxer wrote in Filipino. "I am used to hardships in life that is why with or without money I'm always like this because my heart is always humble before God and before man. That's why feel the hearts of poor people who are in need. Thank you."
Pacquiao grew up in the slums. His life is a true testament of the classic rags to riches story. He actually got into boxing for survival since he came from a very poor family. He told ESPN that he used to earn around $1 to $2 with each bout during his early days as a boxer.
"I heard that when you fight, even when you lose, you have money," he explained. "And when you win, you receive 100 pesos, which is the equivalent of two dollars. If you lose, one dollar, which is 50 pesos. I don't know boxing. But after that fight, I get 100 pesos. One hundred pesos. I can buy one kilo of rice only four pesos. One hundred pesos, [that's already] big."
Pacquiao has definitely come a long way from his struggles as a kid, and he credits God for all of the blessings that have come his way. "Thank you God for everything you have done in my life, beyond my imagination. The blessings you gave me. Thank you Lord," he said.
