Pacman: Behind the Scenes with Manny Pacquiao - The Greatest Pound-for-pound Fighter in the World

New
Hardcover
2010
$20.12

This is a biography of the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and the only boxer to ever win seven world championships in seven different weight classes. Manny Pacquiao, 30, is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Recently named the 'fighter of the decade' by the Boxing Writers Association, he is the only fighter ever to capture seven different championship belts in seven different weight classes. But few thought that Pacquiao could reach the pinnacle of his sport considering his background. Growing up in a cardboard shack in General Santos City in the Philippines, he ran away from home at fourteen. Making his way to Manilla and eventually to the U.S., he hooked up with trainer Freddie Roach in 2001 and from there his fighting career took off. Named on Time Magazine 's annual 100 Most Influential People list last year, Pac-Man, as he is affectionately called, is not only an exceptional fighter, but has a photographic memory, donates millions to charities in the Philippines, and learned to play the piano in one week. Gary Andrew Poole serves up a revealing portrait of this remarkable fighter and personality.

Synopsis

This is a biography of the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and the only boxer to ever win seven world championships in seven different weight classes. Manny Pacquiao, 30, is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Recently named the 'fighter of the decade' by the Boxing Writers Association, he is the only fighter ever to capture seven different championship belts in seven different weight classes. But few thought that Pacquiao could reach the pinnacle of his sport considering his background. Growing up in a cardboard shack in General Santos City in the Philippines, he ran away from home at fourteen. Making his way to Manilla and eventually to the U.S., he hooked up with trainer Freddie Roach in 2001 and from there his fighting career took off. Named on Time Magazine 's annual 100 Most Influential People list last year, Pac-Man, as he is affectionately called, is not only an exceptional fighter, but has a photographic memory, donates millions to charities in the Philippines, and learned to play the piano in one week. Gary Andrew Poole serves up a revealing portrait of this remarkable fighter and personality.

$20.12

Quantity

Temporarily out of stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 280
Publisher: Da Capo Press Inc
Published: 12 Oct 2010
ISBN 10: 030681949X
ISBN 13: 9780306819490

Media Reviews

Scoop Malinowski, Boxing Insider (BoxingInsider.com) Manny Pacquiao's rise to superstardom is one of the world's most unlikely stories...Poole takes you on a journey to Planet Pacquiao and it couldn't have been a better read. I loved the book from beginning to end, it's a fantastic, entertaining and informative read....You will simply be awed by insider perspectives on Pacquiao's generosity, modesty, kindness, inspirational powers and just how much he is loved by Filippinos all over the world... PacMan is a must-read for all sports fanatics.
Daily Telegraph (UK) a fine biography
Queensbury Rules a wonderful read, marked by genuine insights SportsIllustrated.com, 11/2/10 [An] excellent biography...Absolutely worth the read.
Boxinginsider.com, 11/2/10 It couldn't have been a better read...Fantastic, entertaining and informative...As good as any boxing biography my hands have ever touched.
Newsday, 11/4/10 [An] amazing behind-the-scenes look into the life of Manny Pacquiao...A one-of-a-kind ride.
Daily Telegraph blog, 11/5/10 [A] fine biography. Los Angeles Daily News, 11/12/10 The most thorough piece of work done to date on Pacquiao.
Sports Illustrated, 11/2/10 Gary Andrew Poole's excellent biography of boxing's pound-for-pound kingpin is absolutely worth the read.
New York Newsday, 11/4/10 It is an amazing behind-the-scenes look into the life of Manny Pacquiao. Poole had tremendous access while he traveled the world reporting and observing the fighter. The effort has paid off for the readers because the book is brutally honest. Poole takes you on a one-of-a-kind ride into the one-of-a-kind life of Manny Pacquiao.
BoxingInsider.com, 11/1/10 Poole takes you on a journey to Planet Pacquiao and it couldn't have been a better read...I loved the book from beginning to end, it's a fantastic, entertaining and informative read...and I consider it to be as good as any boxing biography my hands have ever touched.
The book is an amazing tale of how a reed-thin Filipino, who left his home in the poorest pocket of the Philippines ( The City of Dust ) at the age of 15 to become a boxer, became one of the most recognizable names and faces in the world. I recommend it.
Steve Bunce, BBC, 11/4/10 This is good, one for the ages. It s not a work of a ridiculous fan boy. It s quality. If you listen to me enough, you know I don t endorse books that are garbage.
Gareth A. Davies, Daily Telegraph, 11/2/10 PacMan tells the rags to riches story of this remarkable boxer who has begun a journey which will see him transcend the sport. It is a fine biography.
Tim Starks, Queensbury Rules, 10/29/10 If you don t know Pacquiao s amazing story, Poole will open your eyes. If you know Pacquiao already, Poole will help you know him more deeply. And with a masterful guide like Poole leading you down the path, you ll enjoy the experience immensely.
The Daily Mail, 11/9/10 Offers fascinating insight into the PacMan s crowded life.
Scoop Malinowski, Boxing Insider (BoxingInsider.com) Manny Pacquiao's rise to superstardom is one of the world's most unlikely stories...Poole takes you on a journey to Planet Pacquiao and it couldn't have been a better read. I loved the book from beginning to end, it's a fantastic, entertaining and informative read....You will simply be awed by insider perspectives on Pacquiao's generosity, modesty, kindness, inspirational powers and just how much he is loved by Filippinos all over the world... PacMan is a must-read for all sports fanatics.
Daily Telegraph (UK) a fine biography
Queensbury Rules a wonderful read, marked by genuine insights SportsIllustrated.com, 11/2/10 [An] excellent biography...Absolutely worth the read.
Boxinginsider.com, 11/2/10 It couldn't have been a better read...Fantastic, entertaining and informative...As good as any boxing biography my hands have ever touched.
Newsday, 11/4/10 [An] amazing behind-the-scenes look into the life of Manny Pacquiao...A one-of-a-kind ride.

Daily Telegraph blog, 11/5/10 [A] fine biography.

TheRing, 11/9/10 Well written and provides fresh in-sight into the life of the world's most-popular boxer.

Wall Street Journal website, 11/14/10
A great read.

Daily Beast, 11/15/10 A lively biography.
The Examiner, 11/18/10
A gem...Just like its hero, the book manages to touch our hearts. I highly recommend it. \ Recah Trinidad, The Philippine Inquirer, 11/19/10
Genius deserves genius and Poole has produced a brilliant book on the Pacquiao legend...A masterpiece...insightful, thrilling prose in the tradition of Truman Capote. The Guardian (UK), 12/18/10 Gary Andrew Poole's PacMan, has something of both the breathless urgency of Pacquiao in the ring and the extraordinary chaos that accompanies him outside.
The Observer (UK), 12/18/10 [Pacquiao's] fascinating tale is recounted by Gary Andrew Poole in PacMan...Poole offers brilliant background on his coach, Freddie Roach...and talks about his defiant rise in national politics.
New York Daily News, 12/19/10 A nice read.
The book is an amazing tale of how a reed-thin Filipino, who left his home in the poorest pocket of the Philippines ( The City of Dust ) at the age of 15 to become a boxer, became one of the most recognizable names and faces in the world. I recommend it.
Steve Bunce, BBC, 11/4/10 This is good, one for the ages. It's not a work of a ridiculous fan boy. It's quality. If you listen to me enough, you know I don't endorse books that are garbage.
Gareth A. Davies, Daily Telegraph, 11/2/10 PacMan tells the rags to riches story of this remarkable boxer who has begun a journey which will see him transcend the sport. It is a fine biography.
Tim Starks, Queensbury Rules, 10/29/10 If you don't know Pacquiao's amazing story, Poole will open your eyes. If you know Pacquiao already, Poole will help you know him more deeply. And with a masterful guide like Poole leading you down the path, you'll enjoy the experience immensely.
The Daily Mail, 11/9/10 Offers fascinating insight into the PacMan's crowded life.
Los Angeles Daily News, 11/12/10 The most thorough piece of work done to date on Pacquiao.
Sports Illustrated, 11/2/10 Gary Andrew Poole's excellent biography of boxing's pound-for-pound kingpin is absolutely worth the read.
New YorkNewsday, 11/4/10 It is an amazing behind-the-scenes look into the life of Manny Pacquiao. Poole had tremendous access while he traveled the world reporting and observing the fighter. The effort has paid off for the readers because the book is brutally honest. Poole takes you on a one-of-a-kind ride into the one-of-a-kind life of Manny Pacquiao.
BoxingInsider.com, 11/1/10 Poole takes you on a journey to Planet Pacquiao and it couldn't have been a better read...I loved the book from beginning to end, it's a fantastic, entertaining and informative read...and I consider it to be as good as any boxing biography my hands have ever touched.
Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News, 11/10/10

Author Bio

Gary Andrew Poole is the author of The Galloping Ghost and has written for the New York Times, GQ, Wired, USA Today, TIME, and The Atlantic. He lives in Los Angeles.