Manny Pacquiao picks Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg to tell his life story on screen

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is undoubtedly the greatest sportsperson to come from the Philippines. The 46-year-old is an icon in the Southeast Asian nation and remains the only boxer in history to win titles in eight separate weight classes.

Pacquiao is currently training in Las Vegas at the Wild Card Gym under the tutelage of long-time trainer and legendary coach Freddie Roach for his upcoming World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title fight against current champion Mario Barrios.

The boxing legend was recently interviewed by TMZ, where he opened up about the possibility of a biopic on his legendary life and career. Pacquiao revealed that if such an opportunity came up, he would want Hollywood superstar Mark Wahlberg to lead the project.

“Mark Wahlberg, he always watched my training camp here in Wild Card. He knows almost all my life stories. Mark Wahlberg’s my friend—he is a nice guy,” Pacquiao said.

Notably, the 46-year-old has already had one biopic made about his life in 2006, titled Pacquiao: The Movie. Jericho Rosales played the titular role of Pacquiao, with Bea Alonzo portraying his wife, Jinkee Pacquiao. However, the film received negative reviews and underperformed at the box office.

If boxing legend Manny Pacquiao ever decides to do another biopic, he says he would entrust its production to his good friend, Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg. https://t.co/2d5dHs1aYO

— PhilstarShowbiz (@PhilstarShowbiz) July 7, 2025

The Filipino boxing icon also added that he would like his son to play a younger version of himself in the new biopic, as his son Jimuel has previous acting experience and is a boxer himself.

Wahlberg, for his part, is known for his intense dedication to fitness and has starred in numerous films centered around sports.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, will be fighting professionally for the first time since August 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision in a bout for the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title.

The fight was initially scheduled for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but was moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena due to a prior commitment for a Lady Gaga concert.

The bout between Pacquiao and Barrios will reportedly be streamed via PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view.

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