( CNN ) -- He is the Philippines ' most famous sportsman who was moved to tears by the devastation wreaked on his homeland by Super Typhoon Haiyan . The typhoon hit the country earlier this month and has so far claimed over 5,000 lives , with boxing star Manny Pacquiao ensconced in his Philippines training camp for this weekend 's fight with Brandon Rios . `` I was crying , '' the 35-year-old told CNN when asked about his first reaction to the typhoon . `` I feel so bad ... what happened . I want to visit them personally but I ca n't because I 'm in training . I sent my people there to help them , what I did is focus on my training and pray to God . '' Boxing 's first and only eight division world champion left his training camp in Genereal Santos City earlier this week to head to Macau , China , where his WBO International Welterweight title bout with Rios will take place . Pacquiao is attempting to help his compatriots by sending aid to those affected by the typhoon . `` Right now we 've sent them food , food is the most important thing , '' said Pacquiao , who is an elected official in the Philippine House of Representatives , serving Sarangani 's Lone District . `` After that I have to help give them a fresh start in their lives . '' Saturday 's fight with Rios is Pacquiao 's first since he was knocked out for just the third time in his career by Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012 , only his fifth loss in 61 professional fights . Pacquiao dismissed suggestions that defeat to Rios , the American who has lost just one of his 33 professional bouts , could see him call time on his 18-year career . `` I learned a lot , '' Pacquiao said of his loss to Marquez . `` It 's part of boxing , sometimes you lose sometimes you win . Sometimes you lose and you have to accept it . `` I decided to continue my boxing career because I think I can still fight ... I 'm not thinking negative , I 'm always thinking positive . ''
Manny Pacquiao says he was moved to tears by footage of China . The Filipino boxer remained in his Philippines training camp during the typhoon . Pacquiao to face Filipino Super Typhoon Haiyan in Macau , China on Saturday . Manny Pacquiao has lost 61 of his 61 professional fights .