MANILA, Philippines | Polish President Karol Nawrocki showed off his boxing skills during a training session with Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in Parañaque City, adding a sporting moment to his historic state visit to the Philippines from October 6 to 8.
Footage of the session at Elorde Boxing Gym showed Nawrocki wearing boxing gloves and working on punching drills as Pacquiao held the focus mitts. The meeting was a training session, not a competitive bout, according to reports by Philstar.com and the Associated Press.
Pacquiao shared a video of their encounter on his official Facebook page, writing, “It was an honor to train His Excellency Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland. Mabuhay!” Nawrocki is known for his longstanding interest in combat sports and previously competed as an amateur boxer.
The meeting took place during the first state visit to the Philippines by a sitting Polish president. Nawrocki met Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace, where discussions covered economic cooperation, defense, security and closer relations between the two countries. The leaders also expressed interest in gradually developing a strategic partnership, according to a joint statement issued on October 8 by the Polish and Philippine governments.
Pacquiao, 47, has moved beyond his celebrated boxing career into public service. The only boxer to win world titles in eight weight divisions, he was appointed lead convenor of the Philippines’ National Anti-Poverty Commission by Marcos in September 2026. The former senator has said his experience growing up in poverty would inform his efforts to help disadvantaged Filipinos.
The boxing session offered a lighter moment during a visit aimed at strengthening ties between the Philippines and Poland, which established diplomatic relations in 1973. Beyond the symbolic encounter, both governments have signaled interest in expanding cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific, including in trade, defense and technology.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
