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MIAMI.- The interview was scheduled for 1:15 PM. Precisely at that time, the phone rang: "Good afternoon. Sergio? I'm ready for the interview, how are you?"

That's Manny Pacquiao; punctual, respectful, humble. Somebody suggested that his punctuality is one more reason why Manny Pacquiao is Manny Pacquiao. And if we think about it, it's true. The humility displayed by this boxer is on par with any other of his formidable skills. It's impossible not to wish him well. His discipline goes far beyond the usual, and that's why he's boxing's 'Superman'.



"It's great," Pacquiao said to Fanáticos, referring to his perennial happiness. "I'm living a life I'm thankful for. I'm happy because God blessed me; not only with money and fame but with being able to support an entire country and the boxing community. I'm grateful and humble for it."

The Filipino they call 'Pacman' will face Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) this Saturday, March 13th at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas, in a clash for the World Boxing Organization's welterweight (147 lbs.) title belt. The fight will be broadcast live in the US on 'HBO Pay Per View' at 9PM ET for $49.95.

"I think this will be a great fight, Clottey is good for my style. It's a good matchup with Clottey being bigger, and me being faster and probably a bit stronger," says Pacquiao who arrives to this fight with a record of 50-3-2, 38 KOs. "Clottey is a tough opponent, he's a big guy. The rivals I faced at this weight are very good too, [Oscar] de la Hoya and [Miguel] Cotto. I think this will be a great fight and we'll have a lot of fun."

'Pacman's routine'

Boxers are among the most sacrificed athletes. To receive and resist hard hits while throwing hundreds of punches for the full 36 minutes of a 12-round bout, they put their bodies through grueling exercise regimens and extreme conditions. They have to go to places most of us wouldn't even dream.

The following is just a glimpse of Manny Pacquiao's daily exercise routine. Pacquiao clarifies that he alternates his daily routine, but that he always includes a lot of work in the gym. During the interview, it sounds like he's smiling on the phone when he says he's happy to put his body through this much.

How long do you run?: 45 minutes
How many sit-ups?: Around 2,000
How long do you jump rope?: 20 minutes
How many rounds are you sparring?: 10 rounds because we had already reached 12 rounds last week.
Heavy bag?: From 4 to 5 rounds
Speed Bag?: 20 minutes...

And after such a 'regular' workout how does Manny Pacquiao rest?

"I rest by singing... I go out with friends, play my guitar and watch movies."

Pacquiao is a total sensation in his native country and in most of Asia, thanks to his singing. He's recorded various albums, winning platinum awards. Type in 'Manny Pacquiao concert' in YouTube and you'll get around 500 results. Last year, after annihilating Ricky Hatton in May and Miguel Cotto in November, he celebrated by performing in musical concerts in the Mandalay Bay Hotel arena.

"Yes, I hope," he says about singing after his fight against Clottey. "The fight starts at 10 PM Texas time. It will be very late but yes, my plan is to have a concert after the fight."

The Mayweather controversy

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao began his professional career in 1995 when at age 17 he weighed 106 pounds. His last defeat was in 2005 against Erik Morales at 130 pounds. Today's 'Pacman' fights at 147 pounds and he beats rivals with impressive ease. It's been said that he could even try to go up to 154 and fight for a title in a new weight class.

Hard to believe? Yes, very. That's precisely the base of the argument Floyd Mayweather Jr. used before their highly-touted 2010 fight was called off. Mayweather's suspicions are yet to be proven and someday we'll know whether Pacquiao has used anything artificial to help achieve his growth and success, but for now, as long as he's clean, fans are enjoying a show for the ages.

"I think Floyd didn't want to fight me," says Pacquiao whose fight against Mayweather was scheduled for March 13th. "He invented many excuses to avoid fighting me and we had to go on and find another fight. Whenever he decides he wants to fight me, I'm ready, but it's not his job and he's in no position to make up the rules."

Pacquiao's biggest defender is his coach Freddie Roach, who doesn't mince words or fail to say what he thinks. That's only one of the reasons why Roach is much more than just a coach for Manny.

"Freddie is like a father or a big brother to me. He always takes care of me; he helps me to be better. He's my professor, my master, the best out there. When I came to Freddie in 2001 I was like in elementary school. Today I can say I graduated from college."

Congressman Pacquiao

There aren't many who feel for their countries as much as Manny Pacquiao does. As a child he suffered the injustices of a nation in which great wealth is concentrated in a tiny minority, while poverty and hunger are the norm for the great majority. As a small boy, he sold cigarettes and candy in the streets of General Santos, a city of 500,000 people where he was born. It was not an easy path; he had to learn to defend himself and protect the few coins he earned and that's how he came to boxing.

But beyond boxing, Pacquiao has a bigger fight in sight.

Pacquiao's other dream is to make it to the Filipino Congress and defend his people's interests as a legislator. The 'People's Champion' as they call him, has already been jabbed by the quirky ways of politics. He lost in his first run in May 2007 when it was said that his constituency didn't vote for him because they didn't want to see him leave the ring.

"I want to keep boxing, that's my career. Being in Congress I can help my people, and that's the reason why I'm running," he explains. "Other congressmen and senators in my country don't leave their professions or businesses when they're serving. It's just a matter of balancing time appropriately. Boxing is my business and I don't want to leave it, I don't think I have to."

"I just want my country to be better than what it is now," he says. "The corrupt system, so much poverty... I just want to be an example for all the people in the Philippines, so they know that dreams do come true and that with heart and belief in God, anything is possible. If I could do it, then people in better conditions can do well too and even better."