MANILA, Philippines – Boxing’s pound-for-pound king and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao said that only God can strike fear in him.

“Sa buhay ko, ang pinaka-kinakatakutan ay ang Panginoon. Iyan ang una kong kinakatukatan: ang malayo ako sa Kanya,” the boxing icon told ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo in an exclusive interview.

Pacquiao, an 8-division world champion, has defeated the biggest names in the boxing world, from Shane Mosley to Oscar dela Hoya.

In the ring, Pacquiao said he does not fear anyone.

“Boksingero tayo, trabaho nating lumaban eh,” he said.

Pacquiao is set to face Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez on Sunday (Manila time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

It will be the third meeting between the 2 boxers, who battled to a draw in their first meeting in 2004.

Their 2008 meeting was just as close, with Pacquiao edging out a victory via split decision.

Family man

With Pacquiao’s fame and stature, he admitted that he faces temptation constantly.

“Hindi ko naman dine-deny na walang mga temptation. Pangit naman kung i-deny ko na walang temptation. Bilang Manny Pacquiao madaming temptation diyan,” he said.

Pacquiao was previously linked to a young actress. Rumors have also circulated that Pacquiao fathered a love child with another woman.

Both issues have been denied by Pacquiao's camp.

“Dumaan na ako sa mga ganyan pero I promised to God not to change at ang responsibility ko ay sa pamilya ko at ang pagiging Manny Pacquiao. Gusto ko pang maging malapit pa sa Panginoon,” he added.

Pacquiao, a devout Catholic, said he would someday like to share his beliefs.

“Gusto ko someday makatulong ako sa maraming tao at someday ako naman ang mangangaral ng laman ng bible sa mga tao. Parang gusto i-share ang nasa laman ng bible,” he said.

He also revealed that he does not want his 2 sons to enter a career in boxing.

“Ayoko sila maging boksingero. Alam ko kung gaano kahirap ang boxing. ‘Yung boxing kasi nagkakasakitan, kahit labag sa kalooban mo na manakit ng tao, kailangan mong gawin,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao does not allow any of his 4 children to watch his fights live.

The congressman, boxer, and father also revealed that despite the success he has achieved in his career, he still has one weakness.

“Ang weakness ko ay ‘yung madali akong magdamdam. Kahit maliit o malaking problema dinadamdam ko. Kumbaga, with great power comes great responsibility,” he said.