Embedded with Team Pacquiao: Manny away from the ring in pictures

Manny Pacquiao plays the piano at his home in General Santos, Philippines. The musically inclined Pacquiao also includes among his hobbies playing the guitar and singing. Mike Young for The National / June 27, 2013

Manny Pacquiao prepares to scuba dive in Cebu Bay, Philippines, early last year. Mike Young for The National / January 25, 2014

Manny Pacquiao’s dog, “Pacman” watches as the boxer works out in General Santos, Philippines, last year as he prepared for his fight with Timothy Bradley. Mike Young for The National / February 24, 2014

Manny Pacquiao shown during a religious radio show in the Philippines in 2013. Mike Young for The National / August 7, 2013

Manny Pacquiao shown at his hotel suite in Macau, China last year during a promotional tour for his fight with Chris Algieri. Mike Young for The National / August 24, 2014

Manny Pacquiao goes for a jog with his younger brother Bobby in General Santos City, Philippines last year. Mike Young for The National / March 3, 2014

Manny Pacquiao shown meeting with his congressional staff in Manila, Philippines in December. Mike Young for The National / December 12, 2014

Raines “Nonoy” Neri, in blue, Manny Pacquiao’s long-time assistant trainer prepares a meal for the boxer in the early morning in March last year. Nonoy is responsible for Manny’s diet during training. Mike Young for The National / March 9, 2014

Manny Pacquiao playing chess after a photo shoot in Manila last year. Mike Young for The National / February 10, 2014

Manny Pacquiao at a scuba diving session in the Philippines last year. Mike Young for The National / January 25, 2014

Manny Pacquiao ties his shoes in Los Angeles last year as he prepares for afternoon training and spends a minute with his dog "Pacman". Mike Young for The National / April 4, 2014

Part 2 of 3: As the build-up to the biggest payday in sports history continues, The National brings you exclusive photos of Manny Pacquiao ahead of his megafight with Floyd Mayweather on May 2. In the second instalment, we look at Manny and his life away from the ring through the lens of Mike Young, former photographer for The National, who spent 18 months on the inside with Team Pacquiao.

When a 20-year professional career has taken you down to the coalface so many times your teeth are charred black, it’s only right that downtime is spent relaxing away from the rigours of training: pounding the roads as well as the pads, jumping rope, doing sit-ups, squats, press-ups, weights and every other machination of physical intensity to turn your body into a fighting machine.

Manny Pacquiao is a man who loves to be surrounded by friends, such as long-time companion Nonoy Neri, and family; a home-cooked meal is just as satisfying as a serving in a Michelin-starred restaurant.

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The Filipino boxer has many strings to his bow; as well as an eight-division boxing champion, Pacquiao is a talented musician. He has composed a song for his entrance music for the showdown with unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Here we see him relaxing at his home in General Santos City in the Philippines, serenading his always-large entourage.

Away from the training regiment of Freddie Roach, Pacquiao still likes to stay in shape by taking runs. Here we see him out on the track with his brother, Bobby, while his terrier, Pacman, is a near-permanent fixture by his owner’s side.

One of the WBO welterweight champion’s favourite pastimes is to scuba dive; he can often be seen exploring the waters of Cebu Bay.

As well as a world-class fighter and philanthropist, Pacquiao also holds the position of congressman in the Philippines House of Representatives.

They say a week is a long time in politics, so Pacquiao squeezes in his duties by meeting with his congressional staff at his home long into the night. We can also see him enjoying a morning stroll with vice president Jejomar Binay, who was in Sarangani province last October to deliver medical equipment.

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