Preacher Pacquiao: Best part of the night was sending a message

Manny Pacquiao and his family attend Sunday service at the Michael Jackson theater in Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las Vegas a day after his fight against Timothy Bradley Jr. During the service, Paqcuiao said that winning the fight wasn’t his greatest achievement but proclaiming the name of the Lord in front of millions of viewers. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA

LAS VEGAS—Raising his arms to the chorus of deafening cheers as he took his final bow as champion wasn’t the best part of Manny Pacquiao’s Saturday night.

He said it was kneeling in the corner before the fight to say a prayer, allowing everyone at MGM Grand Garden Arena and millions watching from around the world to get a glimpse of the words emblazoned on the back of his shirt.

“Of course I’m very happy I won, but I’m the happiest that [people got to read] what was on my back ‘Jesus is the name of the Lord,’” Pacquiao said at the Bible study hosted at Mandalay Bay’s Michael Jackson ONE Theater Sunday morning. ”I’m so happy because millions of people got to read that.”

The morning after his unanimous decision victory over Timothy Bradley, Pacquiao preached in front of close to a thousand people about how the God’s word has blessed his life.

“I’m so thankful for the blessings. He raised me from nothing into something and I believe there’s a purpose and it’s here today,” Pacquiao said, eliciting cheers of “Amen!” from the crowd.

Pacquiao, who left for Los Angeles in the afternoon, once again expressed his gratitude to the fans, some of which had travelled all the way to the Sin City just to witness him fight for the final time.

“We don’t know if this is the last time you’ll see me. I don’t know what the feeling [of retirement] is. We know I grew up in boxing. it’s my passion. I really love it, but I might enjoy a retired life and serving the Lord,” Pacquiao said.

“If I continue fighting, I’m sure I’m going to see you again.”

“If,” he added.

RELATED VIDEOS