Liam Neeson is big fan of Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao. Don't feel surprised if the actor shows up in one of Filipino champ's bout, or in the upcoming Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri fight in China this Sunday. If most fans admire Manny Pacquiao for his boxing skills, Liam Neeson, who recently narrated a documentary about the eight-division world champion, said he is in awe of Manny's past and how he got out of it.
"I was a boxer as a kid, from the age of nine to about 17. But Manny was brought up in a fucking shack with rebels firing guns and stuff. He was facing death on a daily basis. And not having food to eat! That's rock, rock bottom. What a foundation to build your future on; there's nowhere to go but up. So, when he fights, beside his natural talent - which is phenomenal - you've got this fucking anger. But it's a very controlled anger. He's fighting not just for himself, but for all of the Philippines," the Star Wars and Taken star said in an interview with the Guardian.
MANNY: The Movie - Official Documentary Trailer 2014 (Narrated by Liam Neeson)
Although he is a fan of Manny Pacquiao's boxing skills, Liam Neeson is not convinced with the boxer's acting. In case you don't know, aside from being a boxer, a congressman, a pastor, a playing basketball coach (Yes, he is) and a singer, Manny has also appeared in different movies, some of those were produced by him.
"No I haven't. I saw a sample of them on the documentary and it threw me a little bit. I thought, OK ... maybe let's save those for another day," Neeson replied when asked by the Guardian if he has seen any of Manny Pacquiao's acting roles.
Lastly, Liam Neeson remembered the time when he is in complete amazement of the way Manny Pacquiao fights.
"That fucking knockout. I remember watching that. I saw it on TV, I was on my own. I froze. I thought he was dead. I wondered if someone in the audience had shot him. He dropped like a tree. Fuck me, what a punch. Jesus wept."
To see more of the interview, click here.
