Pacquiao in Time Magazine Hits Stands

Manny Pacquiao graces the cover of Time Magazine's Asia edition, and his corresponding five-page feature story is being included in the U.S. Edition with Hillary Clinton on its front.

The fighter's appearance in the magazine, which hit the news stands this past Friday, comes on the heels of his being in ESPN's Body Issue, his first, primetime television appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and his recognition as a 2009 Gusi Peace Prize laureate.

As the focus of the feature entitled The Meaning Of Manny, the fighter is amazed at his cross-over appeal.

"I absolutely had no idea that when I started my career in boxing, to provide a better life for myself and my family, that I would now be where I am today, and on the cover of Time Magazine," said Pacquiao, who will go after Miguel Cotto's WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title this Saturday at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, 30, is not only a major political figure in his native Philippines, but he also broke training to distribute food in Manila as part of disaster relief efforts for victims of two recent typhoons.

Against Cotto (34-1, 27 knockouts), Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 knockouts) has an opportunity to become the first fighter ever to win a title in seven different weight classes.
"It is a great honor for me to be the face of my people and to let everyone know we are a small but mighty country."
-- Manny Pacquiao
"A fighter's dream is to win a world title and gain financial stability, said Pacquiao, who is also the star of a super hero movie he is filming entitled, Wapak Man. "But what is happening to me now is the most humbling experience of my life."

Pacquiao was named 2008 Fighter Of The Year, and his trainer, Freddie Roach, the 2008 Trainer Of The Year.

"Manny loves stuff like that. He loves the limelight. There will never be an audience too big for Manny Pacquiao. He puts that smile on and enjoys it," said Roach, 49, concerning whether or not the noteriety would be a distraction for Pacquiao against Cotto.

"He's a very disciplined person," said Roach. "When Manny Pacquiao walks through the doors of the boxing gym, everything stays outside. It's only boxing inside of the gym, and that's all that we do."

Roach is being featured in an upcoming edition of Sports Illustrated.

"It is a great honor for me to be the face of my people and to let everyone know we are a small but mighty country," Pacquiao said. "I have great pride for all of the Filipinos living throughout the world, and it is these people that I fight for each and every time I step into the ring."

Former champions to have appeared on the U.S. cover Time Magazine include Jack Dempsey in 1923, Gene Tunney (1926), Max Schmeling (1929), Primo Carnera (1931), Joe Louis (1941), Sugar Ray Robinson (1951), Cassius Clay (1963), Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier (1971), Muhammad Ali (1978) and Mike Tyson (1988).

"Manny Pacquiao is the most exciting fighter on earth at this moment, but not just because of his skills in the ring," said Howard Chua-Eoan, Time's news director and co-author of the feature on Pacquiao.

"When he fights, he is carrying the hopes and dreams of an entire nation," said Chua-Eoan. "He fights for his people. It is one of the most inspiring stories in sports today."