Everyone by now knows Pacquiao's story. A terrible childhood littered with days of hunger and hardship, a left hand and a ferocious fighting heart that brought him fame in boxing, a partnership with Freddie Roach that produced championships in 8 different weight divisions. Everyone knows about Pacquiao's lightning quick speed, powerful left hand and blazing hand speed. Definitely, everyone knows of Pacquiao's off the ring problems, including extra marital affairs and uncontrolled gambling. Everyone knows Manny Pacquiao, Fighter of the Year, sure-fire Hall of Famer, congressman and one-time pound-for-pound champion.
The downside of fame, I've found, is never about the loss of privacy. Oh please. It's not even close. The greatest problem is perception. People will always have opinions of you. Right or wrong, with evidence or without, you and your actions will be judged by people you don't know about and their opinions will be right, according to them. They'll believe they know how you think. They can name your innermost desires and think the way you think. They will judge you, they will love you, they will hate you and that will be that.
