At 5-6 and 135lbs, Manny Pacquiao isn’t an intimidating figure initially, but the diminuative Filipino may be, pound-for-pound, the toughest boxer on the face of the planet.

Slam Magazine recently interviewed the street-tough fighter about his other passion- basketball. Here’s an excerpt of the interview:

SLAM: Tell us how you got into basketball
Pacquaio: It’s a very popular sport in the Philippines. It’s actually our national sport; we’re just to short to play professionally [laughs].

(Discuss Philippines Basketball in our forum)

SLAM: What position do you play?
Pacquaio: I’m a point guard who scores a lot. I like to shoot three-pointers and drive to the hole. Except sometimes they won’t let me [go to the basket] because I have an upcoming fight.

SLAM: Do you worry about getting hurt when you play basketball?
Pacquaio: No, it’s like when I get in the ring: If I worry about getting hurt, that’s how i’ll end up getting hurt.

SLAM: Which [NBA] players are you friend with
Pacquaio: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Trevor Ariza used to come to the gym in L.A., and Ron Artest was at the gym yesterday.

SLAM: You think any of those guys could box?
Pacquaio: Yes, I think Paul Pierce and Ron Artest could fight. Ron is a big guy!

SLAM: When you retire, are you going to play ball?
Pacquaio: Yes, of course. I’m goint to play basketball ’til I am 50 or 60 years old. It’s my first love — more than boxing — I’m just very, very short.

See a version of the full interview at Slam Online (Pac-man Vs.) or grab the latest issue of Slam Magazine, no. 134 (February 2010).