Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Eight-division world champion in boxing.
Ht: 5-6 Wt: 147
DOB: December 17, 1978 In: Cabangal, Philippines
First Boxing Memory: “Hearing Mike Tyson lose to Buster Douglas on radio. I was 11. I start to box when I was 12. My first fight gave me one dollar. I gave the dollar to my mother.”
Boxing Inspirations: “Like all my fights, I dedicate this fight to my country. I remember as a little boy I ate one meal a day and sometimes slept in the street. I will never forget that and it inspires me to fight hard, stay strong and remember all the people of my country, trying to achieve better for themselves.”
Toughest Part Of Being A Boxer: “When you prepare for the fight. When you train hard.”
Last Book Read: “Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.”
Current Car: “Which one [smiles]? Ferrari (dark gray).”
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Bible studies. Play chess, basketball.”
Favorite movies: “My movies.”
Musical Tastes: “Folk, rock, love songs.”
Pre-fight Feeling: “Nothing, blank.”
First Job: “Construction worker.”
First Car: “Toyota Corolla.”
Favorite Meal: “Steak.”
Childhood Dreams: “To be a famous boxer. And to finish studies.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning my first championship (WBC Flyweight – TKO 4 Gabriel Mira in April 1999 in Quezon City).”
Most Painful Moment: “Losing my first championship belt. (Lost title on scales because he failed to make required weight of 112. Consequently lost by KO 3 the next day to Medgoen Singsurat in September 1999 in Thailand.)”
Favorite Boxers To Watch: “Sugar Ray Leonard. Felix Trinidad. Oscar De La Hoya.”
Favorite Vacation: “Beaches in The Philippines.”
Why Do You Love Boxing: “I love boxing and that’s my job, to give a good fight. I love to fight in the ring and give the people a good fight. (Favorite part of boxing?) Winning [smiles].”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Kind-hearted, good-natured, honest.”
Manny Pacquiao KO Miguel Cotto highlights
(Note: I did this Biofile interview with Manny Pacquiao at Yankee Stadium during a press conference. Art work by Philippines-based artist Sen Lacson)
