Why Manny Pacquiao Was Mentioned in Marvel's "VisionQuest"

Manny Pacquiao has entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe–at least by name. The Filipino boxing legend got a shoutout in the third episode of the series VisionQuest, thanks to a conversation about left-handed fighters.

Marvel’s VisionQuest, a Disney+ series following the white version of Vision (Paul Bettany) as he tries to make sense of his identity and recovered memories, has an unexpected Filipino reference in its third episode. During a conversation with Tommy Maximoff (Ruaridh Mollica), Vision gets an assist from for his attempt at small talk.

After accidentally injuring his hand while trying to use a vending machine, Tommy assures Vision that he will be fine because he is a southpaw, meaning he is left-handed. That prompts E.D.I.T.H. (Emily Hampshire), one of the artificial intelligence personas in Vision’s mind, to offer up a boxing fact: “Manny Pacquiao, eight world titles.” Vision repeats the line, prompting Tommy to ask whether he is actually into boxing or simply Googling small talk.

Vision takes a few microseconds to consider Tommy’s question before deciding that he is quite into the sport, explaining that he admires the balance of grace and power displayed by great boxers. Tommy has a favorite of his own, putting his money on Muhammad Ali for his poetic style and famously fast jab.

For context, the Filipino boxer is the only fighter in history to win world titles across eight weight divisions, and his left-handed stance helped make him one of boxing’s most recognizable southpaws. The superstar athlete's name adds to the MCU’s growing Filipino connections, which span both its casting and soundtrack. Filipino-American actor Jacob Batalon plays Ned Leeds, Peter Parker’s best friend in the Spider-Man films, while Shanti Dope’s “Amatz” was featured in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

VisionQuest is the latest Marvel series on Disney+ that follows the white version of Vision (Paul Bettany) after the events of WandaVision. In the 2021 series, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) creates an alternate reality in Westview, where she lives with Vision and their twin sons, Billy and Tommy. When that reality falls apart, Vision is left with the original's memories but no firsthand experience of the life they describe.

Tommy also returns in VisionQuest, though he now inhabits the body of Thomas Shepherd. His consciousness, identity, and superhuman speed are part of the story as he and Vision cross paths.

The series is the second spin-off of WandaVision, following Agatha All Along, which centers on the witch Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn).

VisionQuest is streaming on Disney+.