Pacquiao gives $220,000 for weight challenge contest

It was the moment of truth for Valorie Gonzalez.

The 30-year-old Filipina was running to Manny Pacquiao’s home in Los Angeles, California trying to shed some extra pounds.

“I'm going to kill you Manny,” she remarked.

Gonzalez was among 75 participants who joined Manny Pacquiao’s weight loss challenge.

Each contestant was required to lose 10 percent of their body weight in three weeks for a cash prize of $3,000.

The biggest weight loser would receive a bonus of $10,000.

The winner of the challenge is Pacquiao’s manager, Mike Koncz, who lost 33.5 lbs.

Only 11 people were not able to complete the challenge. With this result, Pacquiao estimated his payout to be more than $220,000.

Pacquiao started the weight challenge while training to face “Golden Boy” Oscar de la Hoya in December 2008.

The pound-for-pound king said he did it so that people, especially those around him, would know what it feels like to be in his shoes trying to make the weight.

“Exactly. Exactly. I want them to feel how hard being a boxer and how hard it is to make the weight,” Manny told ABS-CBN News.

Pacquiao also said that he wants to promote healthy living.

Nick Enciso said that it was a grueling challenge. Three weeks ago, he weighed 150 lbs. He lost 17 lbs. for the challenge.

But others were not so fortunate.

“I’m tired. I’m dying. I need one more pound. That was my second try but I can’t make it,” said Mike Quydilla.

Gonzalez was also not able to meet her target weight. “It’s hard. If your metabolism can keep up with you, then you have an easier time. But it’s pretty hard,” she noted.

Most contestants also said that they realized not only how hard it is to be a boxer but most importantly, how essential it is to stay in good shape.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/04/27/09/pacquiao-gives-220000-weight-challenge-contest

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