Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao gave fans a glimpse into his growing love for pickleball after sharing a video of himself practising on court, joking that decades spent inside the boxing ring still influence the way he approaches the sport.
According to NotiFight, Pacquiao surprised his followers by posting footage of a training session as he continues to promote the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT), the professional league he recently launched in the Philippines.
Despite exchanging boxing gloves for a paddle, the eight-division world champion admitted old habits are difficult to shake.
“My natural reflexes still dictate boxing combinations to me,” Pacquiao joked.
The Filipino legend added that every time he strikes the ball, his instincts immediately take over.
“At the moment of striking, my mind still orders me to execute a classic jab, jab, hook.”
Pacquiao’s growing interest in pickleball comes at a significant time for the sport in the Philippines. The former world champion recently backed the launch of the MPPT, a professional league aimed at creating new opportunities for players across the country.
Speaking during the announcement of the league, Pacquiao outlined the vision behind the project.
“It’s always been my mission to promote sports and give our athletes a platform to showcase their talents and bring pride and honour to their cities and provinces,” he said, as reported by Asian Pickleball News.
“I know it’s a relatively new sport in the Philippines, but it’s exciting and easy to learn.”
The MPPT has been sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board and will feature eight regional franchises competing across men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles events.
Pacquiao’s involvement is expected to give pickleball unprecedented visibility in the Philippines, where the sport continues to grow rapidly.
Now, with a paddle replacing his gloves, one of boxing’s greatest champions is learning a new game. Judging by his own admission, though, the fighter inside him is never too far away.