POLAND President Karol Tadeusz Nawrocki held a four-day state visit in the country and part of his agenda is to meet boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
The Polish head of state hooked up with the former senator and did a round of sparring and training together at the Elorde gym in Paranaque.
The 43-year-old Nawrocki, who was elected into office in 2025, turned out to be a combat sports enthusiast and a huge fan of the Pacman, widely considered as one of the greatest boxers of his era.
Clad in training gear, the Polish leader traded mittwork tips, observed sparring rounds with reigning champions, and shared lighter moments on the canvas with the boxing icon.
“Boxing teaches you that no matter how many times life hits you, you can always stand back up. Secretary Pacquiao’s journey from poverty to world champion and now leading the charge to elevate his countrymen is an inspiration not just to the Philippines, but to the world,” said Nawrocki following the session.
The meeting at the ring came just a month after Pacquiao became a cabinet secretary as lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).
A Polish historian, Nawrocki expressed strong international support for Pacquiao’s initiative, noting that community-driven empowerment and poverty reduction are universal priorities.
"In the ring, you fight for a belt. In public service, you fight for the people," Pacquiao said. "Having President Nawrocki join us shows that our battle against poverty is a universal struggle. We are knocking out poverty, one community at a time."
Prior to his sparring with Pacquiao, the Polish president held a two-day bilateral talks with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacanang as the meeting marked the first state visit by a Polish head of state in the Philippines.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
