Pacquiao's dad insists he did not eat his son's dog

Manny Pacquiao's dad has denied claims that he once ate his son's dog during his brutal upbringing in the Philippines.

The boxer lived on the streets as a youngster, before he turned pro aged 14 as he sought to escape from povety.

However, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach claimed his fighter fled home after his father had eaten his pet. The 36-year-old now has a Jack Russell who joins him on training runs and in the gym.

But Rosalio Pacquaio has hit back ahead of his son's Las Vegas showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

He claimed: "It isn't true that I killed his dog. I don't know where the story came from … Perhaps it was a misunderstanding. I always supported my son's boxing career in those days. His mother didn't want him to box but I encouraged him."

Manny used to sell doughnuts to get by before embarking on a career in the ring.

He put aside his differences with his dad in 2009, finally ending their 20-year feud, and is even building him a luxury home in General Santos.

"Our relationship today is very strong and very close. When we see each other, we hug each other and then we talk about the fights and tell stories to each other," Rosalio told MailOnline.

"Manny is always helping people. He is very generous. If someone approaches him to ask for help, he will help. He looks after his parents and he looks after his brothers and sister."