Mr. Pacquiao Goes to Washington -- FOX News

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: Manny Pacquiao may not be a household name, but he's making big waves on Capitol Hill just by showing up. He's a fighter and a politician and has fans in high places. Our own Griff Jenkins caught up with the man many call a national hero.

GRIFF JENKINS, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Even if you are not a boxing fan you probably heard of Muhammad Ali, right? You are about to meet a man some say is even greater than Ali. They call him the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. His name is Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and he is from the toughest streets in the Philippines. He's a national hero there for winning 10 world titles in eight different weight classes, also he's an elected congressman back home.

So what is he doing in Washington? He came to meet with Capitol Hill leaders, as well as President Obama.

SEN. HARRY REID, D-NEV.: He's a fighter, the best pound-per-pound fighter on the planet today. He's a man who is so fun to watch.

JENKINS: Congressman, welcome to Washington.

MANNY PACQUIAO, BOXER: Thank you.

JENKINS: You have been called by Senator Reid the greatest fighter of all time. But you are in politics. Why did you get into politics?

PACQUIAO: I want to serve people.

JENKINS: What do you hope to achieve with public service to your family, friends and countrymen in the Philippines, what do you hope to accomplish with your service?

PACQUIAO: Before I have a dream to be a champion. Now in politics I have a dream to achieve to be champion also, being a public servant. I want to help people.

JENKINS: Your political party, the People's Champ Movement. You guys work on issues like poverty. What else is the movement about?

PACQUIAO: It is the people's movement combined with poor people, helping each other to grow.

JENKINS: How did you up -- when did you decide -- you clearly became a hero, a national hero winning many fights in the Philippines. One day you decided I want to be a politician as well. When did that happen?

PACQUIAO: When I started boxing, my dream also is not only for boxing, it is in my heart and mind, I want to help people, maybe at the right time.

JENKINS: You are going to meet with President Obama today. What do you want to say to him?

PACQUIAO: Well, I want to say thank you for giving us our inspiration.

JENKINS: You like the president?

PACQUIAO: Yes.

JENKINS: What do you like about the president?

PACQUIAO: He's my idol the way he talks to the people, the way he serves the people.

JENKINS: You hope to accomplish that perhaps in your political career?

PACQUIAO: Yes, I hope so.

JENKINS (STANDUP): How did his meeting with the president go? We caught up with Manny immediately after.

JENKINS: What did the president have to say to you?

PACQUIAO: He say good luck to my upcoming fight. I invited him to watch the fight. He said he's going to watch. He's going to watch on pay-per-view.

JENKINS: Did he have any advice for you politically?

PACQUIAO: No.

JENKINS: You are smiling. Maybe he had something to share that you won't tell us?

PACQUIAO: I'm happy because I meet the president.

JENKINS: What did you say to him?

PACQUIAO: Thank you. Say thank you. We both like boxing.

JENKINS: Did he encourage you perhaps to run for president in the Philippines some day?

PACQUIAO: No. We are not going to talk about that.

JENKINS: You are not talking that.

PACQUIAO: We didn't talk about that. He said congratulations in your last election as a congressman.

JENKINS: Did you share any discussion of politics, what you are trying to do in terms of poverty or build hospital or was there any discussion of policy that you talked about with the president?


PACQUIAO: No, we didn't talk about that.

JENKINS: Anything else you want to share?

PACQUIAO: I'm happy.

Source: foxnews.com