Monickers: The Destroyer, Pacman
Born: December 17, 1978
Birthplace: Kibawe, Philippines
Residence: General Santos City, Philippines
Record: 45-3-2, 35 KOs
Trainer: Freddie Roach
Promotional Outfit: Toprank
Promoter: Bob Arum
Other Profession: Singing, acting
Boxing Career:
Manny Pacquiao has one of the most fascinating rags to riches story in modern Filipino history. Battling poverty when he was a kid, he decided one day that he will try boxing.
Without going through the amateur stages, he started his professional career at age 16, on January 22, 1995 against Edmund Enting Ignacio. He won his debut by points in four rounds. He would then win a string of 11 victories, until Rustico Torrecampo gave him his first knockout loss with a body blow. His first taste of defeat just made him angrier as he demolished most of his next opponents through devastating knockouts.
His first title fight was in 1997 in the OPBF Flyweight Division against a Thailander named Chokchai Chockvivat. He won the fight by KO in round 5 of a 12-rounder. He successfully defended the title against another Thai, Panomdej Ohyuthanakorn by a first-round knockout.
In 1998, Pacquiao invaded Thailand to challenge a very tough world champion named Chatchai Sasakul for the WBC flyweight title. After round 7, Sasakul was clearly ahead on points as he successfully outboxed Pacquiao. Then when round 8 commenced, Pacquiao delivered a one punch knockout that left the world champion laying on the canvass.
After winning the world title, he fought one non-title fight and defended the title against Mexican Gabriel Mira. He won both of the fights through TKOs.
In 1999, Pacquiao's hold of the world title was short-lived as he was knocked out by Medgoen Singsurat, a Thailander, on his second world title defense. He was clearly out of shape for the fight as he was over the weight limit during the weigh-in and he had to shed the excess pounds which made him weaker going through the fight.
Just like his first career defeat, he came back with a bang. He punished his next opponents through knockouts. It's not that they're easy preys. They were respectable, decent boxers with good ring records.
In 2001, Pacquiao got his lucky break. Lehlohonolo Ledwaba was scheduled to defend his IBF Super Bantamweight Title in Las Vegas but his opponent could not make it to the fight. Pacquiao was tapped to fight the world champion on a short notice. To everyone's surprise, Pacquiao dominated the champion and made him see stars in the 6th.
The American commentators and boxing aficionados saw Pacquiao as a promising, exciting fighter. Manny defended the IBF title four times against, Agapito Sanchez, Jorge Eliecer Julio, Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym and Emmanuel Lucero. He won three and had a technical draw against Sanchez.
His 2003 showdown against Mexican boxing icon Marco Antonio Barrera was his baptism to boxing superstardom. He dominated Barrera throught the fight, knocked him down, and eventually made Barrera's corner throw a towel in the eleventh round. The bout was for the Ring Magazine's People's Champion.
In 2004, his next assignment was against another Mexican elite, Juan Manuel Marquez. He knocked Marquez down three times in the first round but Marquez showcased his counterpunching skills through most of the rounds after the first round. The fight ended in a controversial draw as one of the judges made a scoring blunder in the first round, which favored Marquez. Had it been scored right, Pacquiao would have won the fight.
Pacquiao just wouldn't stop fighting Mexican boxing greats as he fought Erik Morales three times. Pacquiao had the overall edge as he won 2 against 1. In 2005, Morales decisioned Pacquiao on the first fight but Pacquiao roared back in 2006 and turned the lights off for Erik Morales on the second and third fights.
His 2007 rematch against Marco Antonio Barrera was less spectacular when Barrera chose to fight to survive for 12 rounds. It was a tactical bout, Pacquiao showing respect to the Mexican legend. The fight resulted in a lopsided decision in favor of the Pacman.
Other Interesting Information:
Manny Pacquiao has been a Filipino icon on and off the ring. He had stints with beer and fastfood commercials, released an album, starred in movies, endorsed politicians and tried politics.
It's been widely known that every time Pacquiao fights, crime rate in the Philippines drops to zero because all Filipinos choose to glue their eyes on the TV to watch him fight.
Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinky have three children. His brother, Bobby Pacquiao, is also a professional boxer.
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