Mini-Biography
They say tough backgrounds makes for tough fighters And Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao proves that right! Manny lived his whole life in the poor, country of South East Asia, the Philippines. Pacquiao lived in the mid-part of the Philippines, in a small city called General Santos City. Things were so bad in the Pacquiao's house hold, that Once Manny’s father, cooked Manny’s dog, causing him to run away, Pacquiao ended up in the Philippines’ capital city, Manila, and ended up in a boxing gym, that’s where he found out that he had boxing talent. He lived on the streets, by selling donuts, for a nickel each.
Pacquiao became a professional in 1995, at 106 pounds (Light Flyweight). He fought his early fights in small venues that were shown on a Vintage Sports' show called “Blow by Blow”, an evening boxing show. His professional debut was a four round bout with Edmund Ignacio, Pacquiao won by a decision. Becoming an instant star of the show. One of Pacquiao’s good friend's death helped him pursue a professional boxing career. He went up in weight from 106 to 113. Pacquiao’s first lose was to Rustico Torrecampo in a third round Knock out. Though, Pacquiao didn't made the weight, so he was forced to wear a heavier glove than Torrecampo. He settled at 112, winning the WBC Light Flyweight over Chatchai Sasakul, in an eighth round KO. Only his second title defense, He loses to Medgoen Singsurat, in an third round Knock out. Pacquiao gained weight, he went to Super Bantam weight, where he won his second title, WBC International Super Bantam Weight Title, He defended it five times, before his chance for a World Title. Pacquiao’s big break came on June 23rd, 2001, fighting Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, winning him by TKO, to become the IBF Super Bantam weight Champion of the world. After beating Ledwaba, Pacquiao fought Agapito Sanchez. It was stopped early because of Pacquiao receiving two headbutts, it ended up in a draw.
Pacquiao defended the title four times with Professional trainer, Freddie Roach, improving his hand speed and mental preparation. Many People said that without Trainer Freddie Roach, Manny wouldn't be the boxer that he is now. Then, Pacquiao caught the eyes of Marco Antonio Barrera, a future “Hall of Famer” boxer in the Featherweight division. Every body was skeptical of Pacquiao because he was barely known, and everyone knew that Barrera has a lot of power. But, Manny proved them wrong! Beating Barrera by TKO in the 11th round!
After the Barrera fight, He became a boxing hero in the Philippines. He probably gave 20% of his money to the Philippines' charity. After he fought Barrera he fought Marquez, another dangerous fighter in the Super Featherweight division. Almost everybody was skeptical of Marquez winning because of Pacquiao’s dominance over Barrera. In the first round, Pacquiao Knocked Marquez down three times. Despite the Knock downs, Marquez fought his way Back. The fight concluded in a draw. There's a controversy that Pacquiao should have Beat Marquez. Later, one of the judges finally admitted that He scored the first round, 10 to 7, instead of 10 to 6, the ritual scoring of a 3 Knockdown round. Marquez was one of the hardest men he ever fought in his career.
Later, He challenged another Mexican Legend, and a future Hall of Famer Erik Morales. He lost by a unanimous decision. The key was Morales' speed and power was over dominance.
After he lost to Morales, Pacquiao and Morales went in a very rare event called “Double Trouble” where there's two main events. Pacquiao fighting Hector Velasquez, and Erik Morales fighting Zahir Raheem. The deal was if Pacquiao and Erik Morales both win in their fights they will go for a rematch. Pacquiao destroyed Hector Velasquez by KO in the 6th round, winning the WBC International Super Featherweight Title, while Morales lost to Raheem by unanimous decision.
Despite the deal, Pacquiao and Morales fought for a second time. This time Pacquiao Stopped Morale's in the 11th round. Pacquiao's key was to keep attacking Morales's body.. Now the series is 1-all. Their third fight was one of the most anticipated fights of the year.
Pacquiao and Morale's fought their 3rd and last fight of the series. Pacquiao again dominated Morales, by Knocking him out in the 3rd round. After their third fight, Pacquiao was announced “fighter of the year” and “most exciting fighter” in 2006.
The long anticipated rematch with Barrera finally happened. Pacquiao's punch, in the 11th round, opened a deep cut on Barrera's right eye. Barrera answered by performing an illegal punch causing Pacquiao a little dizziness. The referee deducted one point from Barrera. Pacquiao won an easy unanimous decision.
After the rematch with Barrera, another rematch was on the way. His arch rival, Juan Manuel Marquez, which in their first fight came in as a draw. This time, Pacquiao Knocked down Marquez once in the 3rd round. The fight concluded in Split decision, favoring Pacquiao. During the post fight interview Marquez's camp called an immediate rematch offering him $6,000,000..
Pacquiao’s fight with De La Hoya might be the biggest fight he ever fought. Every body was skeptical of Pacquiao beating the future Hall of Famer. But, Pacquiao, again proved the public wrong! The whole fight, Pacquiao dominated De La Hoya. De La Hoya refused to answer the bell in the 9th , giving the win over to Pacquiao.
Pacquiao's latest fight was with Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, a dangerous English fighter. Pacquiao Beat him, surprisingly in the 2nd round, including two Knockdowns in the first round, and the KO punch in the second.
Pacquiao’s favorite boxer's still remains Sugar Ray Leonard, Felix Trinidad, and specially Oscar De La Hoya. Pacquiao's favorite boxing match was Gatti vs. Ward I. For his achievements, He became the first Filipino, and Asian boxer to win five different world titles in five different weight classes.