Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has admitted taking recreational drugs when he was a teenager.
Drug dealers and addicts in his native Philippines have been under the microscope in recent months as president Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs" continues.
In an interview with Reuters, the former eight division champion and current senator said: "I tried drugs...many kinds of drugs, all kinds of drugs."
"The president, he doesn't know my experience with drugs...He always gives a chance to people who want to be changed," he added.
Pacquiao has a close relationship with the president and is even a godfather to one of his grandchildren.
He is preparing for his title fight with WBO champion Jessie Vargas in November after dispatching Timothy Bradley easily in their rubber match last April.
#TheLegend vs #TheChamp | Nov 5th | Top Rank PPV
For more info visit https://t.co/B4ZX8ihrwa
Shot 100% on @GoPro pic.twitter.com/eKOM5WQ0Jz— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 5, 2016
He briefly retired after the bout but has since changed his mind and is due to fight at least twice in 2017.
Former Paddy Barnes foe Zou Shiming is also on the undercard when he fights for the super-flyweight title against Prasitsak Papoem.
In 1 of 3 title bouts on the #PacVargas card, Zou Shiming rematches Prasitak Papoem for the super flyweight 👑 ! https://t.co/B4ZX8iz2UK pic.twitter.com/3plHpYwdOC
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 8, 2016
