Can the greatest fighter on the planet also be a strong Christian? Without a doubt, the answer is “YES!” Last November WBOÂ welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ.
In preparation for his upcoming bout against Timothy Bradley, both the USA Today and Sports Illustrated gave us an inside look at the faith of arguably this generation’s greatest fighter. The following are his comments that will inspire all leaders:
Sports Illustrated
- “If I died before I changed, I would not have gone to the eternal kingdom. I was an immoral man. Now I am a new creation.”
- “[Manny] had one of the worst gambling habits of any athlete I’ve ever known. He was addicted to it.” – promoter Bob Arum
- “I used to pray every day, but then I kept on cheating [on his wife Jinkee] and doing bad things. It’s different now. The old Manny Pacquiao is gone.”
- “His boxing is as consistent as it has ever been.” – trainer Freddie Roach
USA Today
- “I don’t judge people; I don’t condemn people. I’m praying for him [Floyd Mayweather] that everything will be fine and he will realize the truth.”
- “I learned how to obey and follow the manual of your life that is the Bible.”
- “The moment came to me that I don’t like cockfighting anymore. I don’t like anymore gambling, drinking, girls, stuff like that, because I was reading the word of God.”
- Pacquiao also sang the following words to reporter Bob Velin, “God will make our way, Where there seems to be no way, He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me.”
- “I’ve been with Manny for eight years, so I know the old Manny and the new Manny. And I’m very pleased with the new Manny, specifically for the reason that he seems to be more at peace and content with himself and has devoted much more time with his wife and family, especially the kids.” – Advisor Michael Koncz
- “He has become consumed with his religious feeling, and in a lot of ways, which I think concerns the church, he has drifted away from Catholicism towards evangelical Christianity.” – Arum
- “The dialogue on this fight has shifted from left hooks and straight rights, and everybody is engaged in religious dialogue, and this is resonating with the evangelical Christian community.” – Arum
- “When you track these websites, they’re running features on Pacquiao. And there’s the same type of feeling towards Pacquiao as there is toward Tim Tebow. The Jets have no idea of the tsunami they’re reaping in godless New York with Tim Tebow. So Pacquiao has created this interest in boxing among a group that probably never watched a fight.” – Arum
- “But before you retire, I have one request. ‘I said, ‘What is that, son? He said, ‘Fight Mayweather and beat him.'”
I am hoping Pacquiao knocks out Bradley this weekend and then Mayweather – In Jesus Name!
Leaders, what do you think of Pacquiao’s conversation?
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