File this one under “filthy but necessary”.
While speaking with Yahoo! Sports recently, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach wanted to paint a picture for the reporter so they could better understand his fighters struggles.
Roach described Pacquiao’s life, as he often does, with vivid detail of despair such as sleeping in a cardboard box, or,
He lived on the street, where he bought doughnuts at a doughnut store and then sold each one for a nickel more to survive.
Growing up in the Philippines was difficult, and Pac’s trainer ensures that the American people never forget it by reminding us before every fight. As he should.
But most of us haven’t heard this particular story yet:
And Roach also explained the horrifying reason why Pacquiao was homeless in the first place, saying: “Manny ran away from home after his father ate his dog.”
Two years prior to Pacquiao declaring himself pro at the tender age of 14; he witnesses his father eating the family dog to stave off starvation. That puts things into perspective a bit, huh? Kind of makes sense why he’s such an incredible fighter/ambassador now.
A disgusting yet memorable, and therefore effective, story from trainer Freddie Roach who probably figured “Well, it’s the fight of the century so… There’s no holding back now”.
Manny Pacquiao’s unbelievable journey may culminate this Saturday.
