Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao with Boston Celtics star and 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. Photo from Team Pacquiao. MANILA — NBA star Jaylen Brown has linked up with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao during his visit to the Philippines.
The 2024 NBA Champion and Finals MVP of the Boston Celtics visited “Pacman” on Tuesday as a part of his 2025 Asia Tour, with the two exchanging gifts and even posing for a staredown.
“One day, the next time I come I want to train [boxing],” the 6-foot-7 Brown told Pacquiao. “I believe other sports can help you with basketball. Boxing, with footwork and stuff.”
“I also play basketball because it’s good for footwork,” agreed boxing’s only eight-division World Champion before briefly displaying his patented footwork.
Brown and Pacquiao even briefly competed, but not in basketball or boxing. The two spent some time playing chess.
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao with Boston Celtics star and 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. Photo from Team Pacquiao. Brown was just the most recent NBA player to visit Pacquiao. In recent years, Klay Thompson, Karl Anthony-Towns, Dwight Howard, and Kevon Looney have all linked up with the former Philippine senator.