"I absolutely had no idea
that when I started my career in boxing, to provide a better
life for myself and my family, that I would now be where I
am today and on the cover of TIME Magazine," said Pacquiao. "A fighter's dream is to win a world title and gain
financial stability. But what is happening to me now is the
most humbling experience of my life. It is a great honor
for me to be the face of my people and to let everyone know
we are a small but mighty country. I have great pride for
all of the Filipinos living throughout the world and it is
these people that I fight for each and every time I step
into the ring."
Perhaps no boxer since Joe
Louis has attracted such worldwide attention as the world
grips the importance of Pacquiao as a national treasure to
his people and as one of the most gifted and philanthropic
fighters to grace the history of the sport. As part of
TIME's history, former champions who have appeared on the US
cover include: 1923 - Jack Dempsey, 1926 - James J. Tunney,
1929 - Max Schmeling, 1931 - Primo Carnera, 1941 - Joe
Louis, 1951 - Sugar Ray Robinson, 1963 - Cassius Clay, 1971
- Muhammad Ali/Joe Frazier, 1978 - Muhammad Ali, and in 1988
- Mike Tyson.
Promoted by Top Rank, in
association with MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM
Grand and Tecate, Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto will take
place Saturday, November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las
Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO
Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
HBO's® fast-moving reality
series "24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto" returns with an all new episode
This Saturday! November 7 at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.
The four-episode series chronicles the preparations and back
stories of both fighters as they train for their November 14
pay-per-view showdown. Episodes one and two are available
on HBO ON DEMAND®.
