Mzalendo_Mkweli
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 30, 2012
- 2,025
- 1,270
| Born | Dec. 17, 1978 |
| Nationality | Filipino |
[TD="colspan: 2"][/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]
[/TD][TD="colspan: 2"] Boxer [/TD]
Today, he is the second highest paid athlete in the whole world. In 2010, he was named Fighter of the Decade by BWAA and WBO. He has been named three times as the Fighter of the Year by Ring Magazine and BWAA.
Early Years
The young Manny Pacquiao left home and boarded a ship to Manila in the hopes of training as a boxer and launching his career. In January of 1995, his goals gained traction. At the age of only 16, he stepped into the ring for his first professional fight. He won the fight against Edmund Ignacio in four rounds. This victory propelled him into successful boxing run that went on for two decades.
Boxing in Various Divisions
In 2001, he moved to a larger weight division. On June 23, 2001, Mannys big break came when he faced Lehlohonolo Lebwaba for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight title. Manny stepped into this fight as a last minute replacement, but won by a technical knockout. This was the second major boxing title that he won. This fight took place in Las Vegas and Pacquiao ended up defending this title four times.
Advancing a Boxing Career
Pacquiao vs. Marquez
Other Accomplishments
On March 19, 2005, Manny moved to the super featherweight division. He fought the Mexican legend Erik Morales for the WBC international and IBA super featherweight titles. Manny lost the 12-round match and sustained a cut over one of his eyes. A rematch took place on January 21, 2006, in Las Vegas. This time, Manny Pacquiao won the match. In July of 2006, he defended WBC international title against Oscar Larios and won. In June of 2008, Manny defeated David Diaz in the lightweight division via a ninth round knockout. As a result, he won the WBC Lightweight title. This victory made him the first Filipino and Asian to become a five-division world champion. He was also the first Filipino boxer to win a world title in the lightweight division.
On December 6, 2008, Manny moved to the welterweight division and soon faced Oscar De La Hoya, the six-division world champion. Manny won this fight. In May of 2009, he fought with Ricky Hatton. Manny won this fight by a knockout in the second round and therefore won The Rings junior welterweight title. In November of 2009, in a fight that was promoted as Firepower, he defeated Miguel Cotto through a technical knockout.
Pacquiao vs. Bradley
Political Career