There are so many articles that are well written about Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao (46-3-35); it's about time to participate the chunk of his iconic boxing career. More people are longing to witness this exciting fighter, many considered as the best boxer of today's generation. The fact of the matter, many boxing expert and writers considered him second if not on the top in the current pound-for-pound ratings. In the BoxingScene.com in their pound-for-pound rating, although tied in the number one spot with Floyd Mayweather (39-0-25) but still above on the list.
Prior to his boxing legacy he struggled hard, and fought amid of poverty. He even stop schooling because of this systemic problem. He made a living by selling ice candy and bread to support and feed his family's hungry stomach. A responsibility he shouldered when his father left them when he is still barely at grade school. Prone to street danger and menace he has no choice, but to face the hazards and fight back.
At the tender age of ten, he engaged in street fighting (mano-mano) for a small purses still to support their meager situation. Later at the of age fifteen, he went Metro Manila looking for support to his new found passion: boxing. He was then neglected for his young age and skinny posture. But he has the big heart to follow his calling, instead he worked hard in the construction company, and still managed to get some boxing training in an old and dusty boxing gym in the city.
In 1995, he finally turned professional at 106 pounds division (Light flyweight) at the age of 16, fighting in his professional debut at four rounds against Edmund Ignacio on January 22, 1995, which he won via decision, becoming an instant star. He learned his superb power, people instantly recognized, when he knocked out formerly undefeated Dele Desierto via second round TKO. Since there knowing his hidden punching power, he collected more TKO and KO than decision in his later fights, and became instant celebrity in the country.
But his new found fame is not easy as a nursery rhyme. He lost to Rustico Torrecampo by TKO and to the Thai Medgoen Singsurat via third round KO. These defeats in his career, many considered as unacceptable as legitimate defeats. When he fought Torrecampo, clearly he didn't made weight limit at 106 pounds. He forced to use heavier gloves than Torrecampo thereby putting him at disadvantage. Besides he was so exhausted and drained then by fasting too hard. In Singsurat fight, history repeats, he again gained weight, and could not eligible to fight at 112 pounds, so forced again to use heavier gloves, same fate the result was a devastating third round KO by Singsurat.
Prior to his boxing legacy he struggled hard, and fought amid of poverty. He even stop schooling because of this systemic problem. He made a living by selling ice candy and bread to support and feed his family's hungry stomach. A responsibility he shouldered when his father left them when he is still barely at grade school. Prone to street danger and menace he has no choice, but to face the hazards and fight back.
At the tender age of ten, he engaged in street fighting (mano-mano) for a small purses still to support their meager situation. Later at the of age fifteen, he went Metro Manila looking for support to his new found passion: boxing. He was then neglected for his young age and skinny posture. But he has the big heart to follow his calling, instead he worked hard in the construction company, and still managed to get some boxing training in an old and dusty boxing gym in the city.
In 1995, he finally turned professional at 106 pounds division (Light flyweight) at the age of 16, fighting in his professional debut at four rounds against Edmund Ignacio on January 22, 1995, which he won via decision, becoming an instant star. He learned his superb power, people instantly recognized, when he knocked out formerly undefeated Dele Desierto via second round TKO. Since there knowing his hidden punching power, he collected more TKO and KO than decision in his later fights, and became instant celebrity in the country.
But his new found fame is not easy as a nursery rhyme. He lost to Rustico Torrecampo by TKO and to the Thai Medgoen Singsurat via third round KO. These defeats in his career, many considered as unacceptable as legitimate defeats. When he fought Torrecampo, clearly he didn't made weight limit at 106 pounds. He forced to use heavier gloves than Torrecampo thereby putting him at disadvantage. Besides he was so exhausted and drained then by fasting too hard. In Singsurat fight, history repeats, he again gained weight, and could not eligible to fight at 112 pounds, so forced again to use heavier gloves, same fate the result was a devastating third round KO by Singsurat.
Following his disturbing lost to Singsurat, Pacquiao gained weight anew this time stopping at the super bantamweight division of 122 lb (55 kg). He stopped journeyman Arnel Barotillo by fourth round KO, where he picked up the WBC International Super Bantamweight title. Defending it five times against all foreign opponents (one of these was Australia's promising and previously undefeated Nedal Hussein) before his next world title fight came. His moving up to 122 pounds weight put a defining mark to his career.
The big break in his boxing life happen on June 23, 2003, when he knocked out South Africa's IBF Super Bantamweight Champion, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba (36-6-23), in the round six on the bout held at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Many boxing enthusiast and purist expect it would be an easy defends for Ledwaba, Pacquiao is just a late replacement. But they were stunned by the ring movement and punching power of Pacquiao. He christened then "The Destroyer".
The most important and cemented boxing legacy, when he saddened the Mexico's best boxers. The whopping eleventh round TKO of the so-called legend Marco Antonio Barrera (63-6-42), which prior to the bout, many boxing analyst and aficionado rated 4:1 for Barrera, but that was a stunning performance of Pacquiao that gave to the boxing world a new heat of excitement. He is called "PacMan". Massacred other Mexican legend Eric Morales (54-6-34) to their epic trilogy and slaughtered other noteworthy Mexicans, Juan Manuel Marquez (48-4-35), Hector Velázquez (48-11-33), Oscar Larios (60-4-37), Jorge Solis (34-1-25), Emmanuel Lucero (23-5-14), Jorge Eliecer Julio (44-5-32). Hence, named " The Mexican Assassin".
His last fight was on March 15, 2008, the four years in the making rematch of Juan Manuel Marquez, who he dropped three times in their first encounter back on May 8, 2004. As expected by many he won the epic rematch, though, via highly controversial spit decision. He is now the WBC and The Ring Magazine Super Featherweight Champion, the former world champion in IBF Super Bantamweight and WBC Flyweight division. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao is the first Filipino, and first Asian to win in three different divisions. And the only fighter in the history of boxing won world title in 112 pounds and 130 pounds divisions respectively.
He is scheduled to fight in another weight division at 135 pounds (Lightweight) on June 28, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight against another true blooded Mexican, but American by birth, David Diaz (36-1-17). Diaz is WBC Lightweight Champion. A fight many considered tailored-made for Pacquiao's legacy.
Next issue:"David Diaz's Chance to Fame"
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