Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao started his professional boxing career in 1995 at the age of 16 and weighed 106 pounds (light flyweight) The young Filipino got off to a winning start before running into Rustico Torrecampo in his twelfth fight, Pacquiao lost the fight via a third round knockout, however the replay showed the blow had been way south of the belt. Pacquiao went on an eleven fight winning streak before winning his first major title against Chatchai Sasakul in December of 1998. However, Pacquiao lost the title on the scales before his second defence, the signs where there the Filipino was struggling to make the weight. The bout went ahead and Pacquiao was knocked out with a body shot in the third round by, Medgoen Singsurt also known as 3K Battery.

The Filipino moved up in weight to compete at 122 pounds, in his first fight he won an International title and over the next two years he successfully defended this title on four occasions in his quest to challenge for another major title. Pacquiao had a lucky break when Enrique Sanchez pulled out of his scheduled bout with IBF champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba; Pacquiao took the fight with only two weeks’ notice. It was June 23, 2001 and this would be Ledwaba's sixth and last defence of his title, the champion was no match for the hungry Pacquiao who had Ledwaba down 3 times before referee Joe Cortez stopped the bout in the sixth round.

Pacquiao now training in the renowned Wild Card Gym and under the guidance of expert trainer Freddie Roach went on to make four successful defences of his title, picking up the WBO strap along the way.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera

Then in 2003 came the fight that catapulted the Filipino on to the World stage. Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera was his opponent. The bout took place in  Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. This was Pacquiao first fight in the Featherweight division and he put on a ferocious display opting to trade with Barrera much to the delight of the fans. Pacquiao was down in the first round, Barrera in the third and again in the eleventh round when the fight was stopped. Although the Filipino won an eleventh round TKO he was well ahead on all three official scorecards.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez

Six months later Pacquiao was back in the ring, this time with another Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez, in a bout that looked like it was over before you got settled into your seat, Pacquiao floored Marquez three times in the first round, but the Mexican showed outstanding realising, grit and determination to fight his way back to a well deserved draw to retain both his WBA and IBF featherweight titles.
Pacquiao had one more fight in the featherweight division and was now on a collision course with yet another Mexican legend; Erik Morales. Again Pacquiao stepped up in weight form 126 to 130 pounds (super featherweight).

Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales

Three division champion Erik Morales was Pacquiao's next opponent the fight took place at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV on March 2005. The bout was action packed, Pacquiao was cut in the fifth round from a clash of heads, Morales was staggered but went on to win a unanimous decision from the judges.

Evident by the dominance of Mexican fighters in the division Pacquiao again fought a Mexican in Hector Velazquez winning a unanimous decision and setting up a much anticipated rematch with Erik Morales.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales II

The much anticipated rematch between Pacquiao and Morales took place at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on 21st, January, 2006. By now the Filipino was receiving superstar status back in his homeland of the Philippines. Pictures where being beamed back from the country showing a nation in complete standstill as their national hero entered the ring. Pacquiao knew fine well he had the hopes and dreams of a nation resting on his shoulders, a responsibility he embraced. During the second round Morales was kept upright only by the ropes (no knockdown was ruled) Again in the sixth Morales was on his way to the canvas only to be saved inadvertently by the support of referee Kenny Bayless’s body. Pacquiao eventually knocked Morales out in the tenth round, the first time Morales had been knocked out in his boxing career.

Pacquiao then won a 12 round unanimous decision against two time super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios, this set up a third meeting with Erik Morales.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales III

In third fight Pacquiao defeating Morales via a third round knockout, Morales down once in the second round and twice more in the third round. The trilogy was complete and Pacquiao was awarded 2006 fighter of the year by Ring Magazine.

Next on the Pac-Man’s hit list was a rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera who held the WBC super featherweight title, but due to contractual reasons and legal disputes the fight could not be made. In the meantime Pacquiao won an eighth round knockout of Jorge Solis.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera II

Finally on October 6, 2007 the long awaited bout between Barrera and Pacquiao took place at the Mandalay Bay casino, Las Vegas, NV. However there was a twist, during the legal disputes Barrera had since fought and lost his title to fellow Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao defeated Barrera in their rematch via an easy unanimous decision.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez II

A rematch with Marquez was now looking likely. The two met in a fight tagged "Unfinished Business” The Filipino won via a hotly disputed split decision. With the victory Manny Pacquiao became the first Filipino to win three major titles. The victory raised Pacquiao record to 46-3-2, 34 Kos.

Manny Pacquiao vs. David Diaz

Again Pacquiao was on the move stepping up to the lightweight division and taking on a champion in his first fight at the weight, his opponent David Diaz had been on the undercard of Pacquiao previous fight titled “Unfinished Business”. Pacquiao dominated the WBC lightweight champion with speed and blistering combinations, the face of Diaz looked as if he had been in a car accident, such was the mess the referee was forced to stop the fight on three occasions to have the ringside doctor have a look. Pacquiao dominance continued trough the bout till Diaz went to the canvas face first, forcing referee Vic Drakulich to stop the fight in round nine. Pacquiao had made history and became the only Filipino and Asian boxer to win a title in the lightweight division.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya

When Manny Pacquiao next bout was announced, many believed he had bitten off a little more than he could chew. Six weight world champion Oscar De La Hoya would be his opponent in a bout labelled “The Dream match”. Pacquiao was now competing 39 pounds north of where he started his career over a decade ago, was Manny about to embark on that unforgiving road trodden by so many of jumping one division too much. The fight generated $70 million in pay-per-view revenue. A whole nation gazed on in anticipation their national hero put on a boxing virtuoso and absolutely dominated his naturally bigger opponent, De La Hoya almost aged before our very eyes in the four roped time-trap. Pacquiao launched relentless attacks on the former champion. De La Hoya just simply could not with stand Pacquiao brand of hellfire, forcing him to retire on his stool a shadow of his former self in the eighth round.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton

Next and for the first time in his career Pacquiao came back down a division to fight then light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, the Manchester, England born Hatton had a come forward style willing to take a few punches to get one of his own of, many believed this style was perfect for Pacquiao who could catch Hatton on the way in with the full force of his pinches. The fight played out just as predicted by many, Hatton was sent to the canvas twice in the first round. The second was more competitive until the dying seconds of the round Pacquiao landed a huge left that Hatton didn’t see coming. Hatton went down heavy and lay on the canvas out cold. The fight was over and for a few concerning moments Hatton remained on the canvas while ringside physicians.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto

Manny Pacquiao’s most recent bout came against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. The bout was held on November 14th, 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas NV. The early rounds where competitive, before Pacquiao dropped the Puerto Rican in the third; and again in the fourth. Cotto was having trouble dealing with the Filipino’s speed and movement. Pacquiao moved through the gears fighting in sporadic bursts at his will, cheekily going to the ropes taking Cottos renowned body blows to put to rest any seeds of doubt about Pacquiao’s ability to take a shot from a full blown welterweight. Cotto changed tactics and opted to box and move, his power was gone and he appeared to be in survival mode. Pacquiao finally caught his opponent against the ropes and defenceless in twelfth forcing Kenny Bayless to stop the fight. With the victory Manny Pacquiao became the first fighter in boxing history to win seven world titles in seven weight divisions.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Josghua Clottey

Manny Pacquiao met Ghanaian Joshua Clottey in a bout billed “The Event”; Both fighters made their way to the ring to an electrifying atmosphere In front of an estimated 50,994 spectators at the new $1.2 billion cowboy’s stadium situated in Arlington, Texas. Tonight was the first boxing match to take place in the impressive arena. Pacquiao came out from the opening bell and set a frantic pace as he landed explosive combinations to both the body and the head. Clottey fought form his peek a boo style looking to place his shots, looking for openings. The pace continued in the second with Clottey finding it difficult to land on his elusive target. Clottey came out his defensive shell in the third finding more success landing his overhand right, Pacquiao begun to load up on his shots but the Clottey defence looked impregnable.

In the fourth Pacquiao targeted the body of Clottey landing some hurtful looking shots, but Clottey showed no sign of wilting. Pacquiao was sailing away with the lead, in the fifth Clottey fought with more intensity taking the fight to Pacquiao having his moments in a close round.

At the end of the sixth Clottey’s corner implored him to “take a chance” indicating the fight was slipping away from him. The Ghanaian again found some success but Pacquiao was the much busier.

The Filipino champion stepped up the pace in the eighth landing crushing combinations, Clottey was told by his corner he was losing every round and needed to inject urgency into his game. As we entered the ninth (the round trainer Freddie Roach predicted the fight would end) we waited on the accumulative effect to take its toll on the body of Clottey, it was hard to tell what was landing and what Clottey was soaking up with his defence. Clottey attempted to open up but Pacquiao threw shots from all angles scattering the defences of Clottey.

Pacquiao was in total control in the tenth sticking to one two combinations overwhelming his opponent while showing impressive lateral movement, again the corner of Clottey told him he required the knockout. The trend continued in the eleventh as we waited on the Clottey rally, Clottey indeed gave it a go opening up centre ring in the middle of the round but was drove back to the ropes as the Filipino responded with his own brand of hell-fire. The final round, crowd on their feet both fighters embraced centre ring. Clottey again more active had some success as the champion had a quiet round in comparison. Referee Rafael Ramos had very little to do. The fight went to the scorecards where Manny Pacquiao won via a unanimous decision.

The win solidified Pacquiao as the true welterweight champion while making the first defence of his WBO welterweight title

The world awaits a fight with the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr