Boxers, like ordinary people, have lives outside their work. Sure, they spend a big chunk of their time training for matches, but these athletes also have things they’re busy with that may or may not be at all related to boxing.
These professional boxers are, in their own ways, celebrities. To some extent, they have the capacity to influence and they know it. There is so much more to the person than what they can do with boxing gloves for heavy bag. So let’s learn all about it and dive right into the lives of some world-famous boxers outside the ring.
Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao
Pacquiao’s boxing claim to fame is simple and clear-cut; he has earned a lot of titles.
You’ve probably watched at least one boxing match of this world-famous Filipino boxer. If you haven’t, you’ve almost definitely read something about his career in the papers or in articles online.
Manny Pacquaio may be famous for all the titles he’s won over the years, but outside the ring, he gives back in a number of ways.
Philippine Senator
Outside the ring, Pacman is a completely different person than his fighting persona might suggest—much to the surprise of his non-Filipino fans.
In 2016, Pacquiao was elected as a Philippine senator and will serve his country for six years, completing his term in 2022. As any politician would tell you, being a senator is no easy feat, and it’s a challenge he’s taken on with pride.
Since taking office, he has authored 52 bills, 16 of which have been passed for implementation.
Manny Pacquiao Foundation
Outside of the political world, Pacman also started his own foundation.
Through the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, he uses his fame to help the less fortunate in his home country.
Donations starting at $25 can buy a bed for those in need, while more generous donations, in the $2,000 range, can purchase a home for an entire family.
The foundation also accepts smaller, $10 donations that will earn the donor a chance to see one of Pacman’s matches live.
Chris ‘The Heat’ Van Heerden
Rising from the ranks and making a name for yourself can be pretty challenging in a world where everybody has the chance to train. World-famous boxers know that to climb to the top, you have to go through rigorous training and endure a lot of punches.
That’s why, for South African Chris Van Heerden, giving back comes in the form of giving aspiring professional fighters an opportunity to rise to fame.
The former International Boxing Organization welterweight champion is giving back as one of the ambassadors for a blockchain-based fighting show, Fight to Fame.
Fight to Fame is a project that invites aspiring professional fighters to go through a series of professional assessments and combat challenges. Whoever emerges victorious will get their own chance to become Hollywood’s next movie star.
Given his international popularity, having Van Heerden as an ambassador will help the show find people with potential and help them reach their dreams.
New Set of Stars
Fight to Fame will use blockchain technology decentralized voting mechanism to build Action Star Reality Show. Participants in Fight to Fame stand to earn a significant amount to fund their career development, even if they should fail to come out on top in the reality show. Even more helpful, they’ll gain enough name-recognition to kickstart their careers as household names. Van Heerden believes that if he can help give those coming up behind him a boost, all of his hard work and struggle during his rise to the top will have been worth it.