Manny Pacquiao’s fight week in Las Vegas earlier this month looked a little different than most.
While other boxers were hitting the clubs or locking in with last-minute training, Pacquiao was leading nightly Bible studies at his hotel, the MGM Grand.
The 46-year-old boxing icon, who came out of a four-year retirement to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19, opened the door to anyone who wanted to join him.
“I’m here in the Word of God because this is life, this is eternity,” Pacquiao told the group one night. “All that we have in this world — material things, positions — it’s nothing, just temporary. But the Word of God is alive and forever.”
Pacquiao made it clear that, even in the middle of a high-stakes comeback, the Bible studies were non-negotiable.
“The fight is second,” he said. “The most important thing is, can we invite all our friends to attend the Bible study? We love God, we love God. Because God is good all the time in our lives.”
If you’ve followed Pacquiao’s career, this won’t come as a surprise. The Filipino star has made faith a cornerstone of his life for years, leading Bible studies before big fights and even inviting his opponents to attend. For Pacquiao, the bout may be the headline, but sharing his faith has always been the real main event.
