Pacman: Behind the Scenes with Manny Pacquiao - The Greatest Pound-for-pound Fighter in the World [Hardcover]

This is a very well written book and even a non boxing fan would find this interesting.

Pacquiao is a very unique charactor and his circumstances and upbringing make for some very intersting reading. The author also has a very informative style and at times I thought I was reading Thomas Hauser, (probably the leading authority in boxing writing).

Pacquiao's upbringing was poverty stricken, even by Filipno standards and the first two chapters deal with this upbringing. When he started his boxing career he was grossly undernourished.

The book also touches on his promotional disasters from taking a suitcase of money from Oscar De La Hoya while still signed with Bob Arum to his difficulties with Muhammed Murud a rogue promoter.This is a good insight into boxing in general

Pacquiao does have a huge entourage of filipino hangers on that do seem to be bleeding him dry. They are covered in detail and a scene is conjured up of a very motley crew.They come accross more as a school gang than a boxing stable but it does bring a smile to the readers face.

Pacquiao's fame has also allowed him to venture into politics, have alleged affairs and gamble more than he should these are also touched on by the author in a very objective neutral manner.

Finally the boxing - it is treated so honestly that its refreshing. The reality was that Pacquiao was born with amazing power and lighting speed and through his early career that was sufficient to keep clocking up wins. He had fights where he was losing against for example Nedal Hussian and in his first title shot but his natural talant saved the day or with Hussian some very biased home town referring.

When he joined Freddie Roach he was a raw undernourished one handed fighter that has developed into one of the best boxers of all time. The nonsense with Mayweather and drug testing is touched on and his exceptional weight gain is quite believably down to the fact that he has gone from an undernourished filipino to a well fed man with a nutritionist. He actually grew 2 inches when he was twenty largely down to regular feeding.

The bouts with all his mexican foes are dealt with honestly and when they made a tactical error such as not preparing for Moralas to turn counter puncher in the first fight it is openly mentioned.

Pacquiao is a very generous man and his political ambitions do seem to be driven by sincerity and a desire to improve people's lifes. His handling of money and his approach to international sponsorship are alarming and I do hope that post his career he does not end up like a Joe Louis- greeting people for a living.

He deserves far better - an inspirational man.

I bought this book with the Manny's autobiography from Dunham books. Gary's account is very detailed through interviews with Manny and of families and friends including Freddie Roach.

The book is an account of Manny's life from his poverty in Mindanao to Manila and finally his achievement in boxing and politics. How his fight with Morales, Oscar, Ricky, Cotto and Clottey propelled him to achieve his 7 title in different weight division. How the fight against Floyd Mayweather fell apart on two occasions.

Gary has produced a great book but did notice a few typing or spelling error or misinterpretation of some food and places in the Philippines or Filipino culture.

But for the millions of Pacquiao fans I still recommend the book.

I bought this book for my 41 year old son, so i cant really pass any comment on this one.