Polish President Karol Nawrocki boxes with Manny Pacquiao during official Philippines visit
Polish President Karol Nawrocki completed a focus mitt boxing workout with former world champion Manny Pacquiao during an official trip to Manila that included bilateral agreements with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Ring session in Manila
Polish President Karol Nawrocki joined former multiple-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao in the ring for a pad workout during an official visit to the Philippines. Video recordings shared by Pacquiao on social media showed Nawrocki, a former amateur boxer and long-time follower of the sport, landing punch combinations on focus mitts held by the retired fighter. The workout took place after the Polish head of state attended an official gala dinner, where the two held discussions about sports and community service. Spectators observing the training session cheered as Nawrocki demonstrated his hand speed and punching accuracy in the ring. Following the session, Pacquiao expressed his appreciation on social media for the opportunity to train the Polish leader.
It was an honor to train His Excellency Karol Nawrocki, the President of Poland. Mabuhay!
Diplomatic and economic program
The athletic encounter occurred during the first official visit to the Philippines by a Polish president. Nawrocki traveled to the country alongside his wife for a schedule of state and commercial engagements. On Tuesday, Nawrocki met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for bilateral talks on intergovernmental ties. During the meeting, Polish and Philippine delegations concluded an intergovernmental agreement establishing legal cooperation in criminal justice matters. In addition to government talks, Nawrocki attended the opening ceremony of the 5th Poland-Philippines IT Business Summit to support bilateral commercial cooperation.
Pacquiao's sporting record and public career
Pacquiao, whose full name is Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, competed across four decades from 1990 to 2020. The southpaw fighter captured world titles across multiple weight classes, including flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions. In 2015, Pacquiao faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a high-profile bout, losing by judges' decision. Alongside athletics, Pacquiao entered Philippine politics, serving as a national senator between 2016 and 2022 while supporting free education policies and capital punishment reinstatement. Following an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2021 and a senate election loss in 2025, he returned to public administration in 2026 as secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
- Fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in lucrative professional bout
- Began six-year term as senator of the Philippines
- Retired from boxing and launched presidential campaign
- Defeated in senate election and concluded political campaigning
- Appointed secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission
Commendation of civic initiatives
Nawrocki addressed the meeting on social media by describing the former senator's current responsibilities in the Philippines. The Polish president commended the transition from competitive boxing to public anti-poverty work as an example of civic service. Nawrocki noted that Pacquiao's leadership of the anti-poverty agency reflected a dedication to serving the community. The training session and diplomatic meetings concluded a schedule that combined state negotiations, trade discussions, and sporting diplomacy.
I also met with former senator Manny Pacquiao, who once fought in the ring and today fights poverty in his country, leading the office established for this purpose. This is a beautiful example of responsibility for the community and readiness to serve others.
