The first major biography of Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao—the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and the only boxer to ever win seven world championships

Manny Pacquiao, 31, was recently named “Fighter of the Decade” by the Boxing Writers' Association and is the only fighter ever to capture seven championship belts in seven different weight classes. But few could have imagined that Pacquiao would have ever reached the pinnacle of his sport, considering his background. He ran away from home—a cardboard shack in General Santos City in the Philippines—at age fourteen. After making his way to Manila, and eventually the United States, Pacquiao hooked up with trainer Freddie Roach in 2001, and, from there, his fighting career took off.

Named one of “Time” magazine's “100 Most Influential People in the World” last year, the aptly nicknamed Pac-Man is a fascinating figure who will go down as one of the greatest boxers in history.

Review
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.”

GARY ANDREW POOLE has written for the New York Times, Time, GQ, USA Today, Wired, and other periodicals. He graduated from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.