Manny Pacquiao Ring Walk: Philippines Star to Walk Out to His Own Song

For casual boxing fans, the biggest current draw about Manny Pacquiao is that he is not Floyd Mayweather Jr. and therefore the “good guy” in Saturday night’s megafight in Las Vegas. 

Conversely, there's Pacquiao's Philippines fanbase, who have been with him from the beginning and would probably root for him to knock out the Pope if it meant another title. Pacquiao is the Philippines' darling, and the nation and its people have gradually elevated him to demigod status over the course of his career, going so far as to empower him with a role in their House of Representatives. 

Pacquiao is the Philippine Elvis—if Elvis could walk into Congress, veto a bill and then suit up for the Washington Wizards later that night. Professional success and national pride have combined to open a lot of doors for the eight-division champion, and Saturday night he’ll salute his country as he makes his way to the ring.

That salute is “Lalaban Ako,” a song Pacquiao wrote and recorded expressly for his walk out against Mayweather.

Here’s the video for the tune, which is basically a tribute to the Philippines and its people's support: 

Is it a coincidence that it sounds like the theme from Full House? I like to think not.

A self-styled singer, the boxer has sung the song for multiple American news outlets while promoting the Mayweather fight.

He gave it go in a capella fashion on The Dan LeBatard Show: 

He also cranked a more polished version with Jimmy Kimmel: 

So there it is: Pacquiao’s walk to the ring will be a tribute to his homeland. Unlike his unforgettable cover of Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We Touch,” it is not yet available on iTunes.

Dan is on Twitter, listening to the soulful vocal stylings of Pac-Man.