MANILA - The world’s best pound-for-pound fighter said he is not surprised that everybody wants a piece of him.

“Hindi nakakapagtaka na ako ngayon ang pinakaaabangan at pinakamainit na atleta sa sport na ito,” he wrote in his June 7 “Kumbinasyon” column on PhilBoxing.com.

“At hindi na ako nasusurpresa na lahat na lang na mga sikat at kampeon na boksingero mula sa 130, 135, 140 hanggang 147 pounds ay gusto akong makaharap,” he added.

Among those eager fighters is American “Sugar” Shane Mosley, who offered a 40-60 split to face “the Pacman.”

Pacquiao also mentioned that he is excited for his next fight.

“Iyon nga lang, hindi pwedeng pagsabay-sabayin lahat at tanggapin ang lahat ng hamon,” he said.

“Sabi nga nila, isa-isa lang, mahina ang kalaban,” added the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer.

Pacquiao noted that there is nothing wrong with Mosley’s offer to fight him because he earlier said that he is ready to fight anyone.

But he pointed out that negotiations need to go through the right process of choosing an opponent. “Naririyan ang aking trainer at promoter na palagi kong sinasangguni muna bago ang lahat.”

With God's help

Meanwhile, Pacquiao also shared his success story in the ring.

He recounted that he went through many obstacles before reaching his revered status in the boxing world. “Masasabi kong talaga namang ginabayan ako ng Panginoon at biniyayaan ng maraming-marami.”

He said that he has always been a fearless fighter. On Dec. 4, 1998, Pacquiao challenged WBC world flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul of Thailand in Phuttamonthon, southwest of Bangkok.

“Naaalala ko pa noon, sabi nila, wala raw halos gustong lumaban sa Thai dahil bukod sa nasa teritoryo niya, lubha talagang matindi ang boxing skills nitong kampeon na ito,” he shared.

But Pacquiao’s boxing skills got the better of Sasakul as he knocked out the Thai fighter and bagged his first world championship.

“Nakuha ko po sa tiyaga at sa matinding pagnanasa na manalo, na-knock-out ko si Sasakul sa ikawalong round kahit na tinambakan niya ako ng puntos mula sa simula.”

“Sabi ko, minsan lang ako magkakaroon ng tsansa na maging kampeon, kaya naman, ibinuwis ko ang lahat, pati na siguro ang aking buhay noong mga panahong iyon,” he related.

A different Pacquiao

Pacquiao then said that the Manny a decade ago is different from who he is now as the pound-for-pound king.

But he noted some similarities between the Manny of old and at present. “Nandoon pa rin ang bangis at tapang, nandoon pa rin ang pagsusumikap upang maging isa sa pinakamagaling na boksingero sa mundo.”

It has been a long road since his 1998 fight in Thailand. And Pacquiao still cannot believe how successful he became in his career.

“Hindi ko sukat akalain na mula sa 112 pounds, aabot ako upang kalabanin at talunin ang aking idol sa boksing na si Oscar de la Hoya noong isang taon,” he commented.

Pacquiao continued, “Dumaan din ako sa 122, 126, 130, 135 pounds na mga dibisyon at nitong huli, natalo natin ang hari sa 140 pounds division na si Ricky Hatton.”