Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao is a household name in Philippines and so much so that a movie has been produced on his life and released on June 21, 2006. The title is Pacquiao: The Movie and the lead role has been played by Jericho Rosales and is directed by Joel Lamangan.

Born on 17 December 1978 and codenamed Pacman, Manny Pacquiao can pack a real mean punch. Pacman a.k.a Emmanuel Dapigran "Manny" Pacquiao was born in Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines. He has been nicknamed the destroyer. His achievements are extraordinary as he is the reigning WBC International Super Featherweight Champion. In Philippines, he has the status of superman and is referred to as ang Pambansang Kamao or the national fist. Pacquiao’s feats and achievements talk much louder than words. He is the former Ring People's Featherweight Champion from 2003-2005, WBC Flyweight Champion from 1998-1999, and IBF Super Bantamweight Champion from 2001-2004. An impressive career record, the destroyer has 43 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws, to his name out of which 33 wins came through knockout punches.

Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao entered the professional boxing ring for the first time in 1995 with a weight of 106 lbs. During this time, he was far from being famous and had to be satisfied with boxing fights in small venues. These were usually broadcasted on a boxing show called Blow by Blow and it was hosted by John Ray Betita. But he was still far from the actual BIG Games. Meanwhile Pacquiao lost a few fights to Singsurat and Torrecampo and since his weights had also increased by 7lbs, he had to shift to the bantamweight division. The bantamweight division changed his boxing career as Pacquiao went on to win and defend it five times.

One such fight in the Bantamweight division changed Pacquiao career for good. Pacquiao was defending his title for the fourth time when he came face to face against the Mexican boxing champion, Marco Antonio Barrera. Pacquiao defeated Barrera in the 11th round through a technical knockout at the Alamo dome, San Antonio, Texas.

Six months down the line, Pacquiao was face to face with another top Mexican boxer, Juan Manuel Marquez, who was also the World Boxing Association and the International Boxing Federation Featherweight champion. The fight took place at the MGM Grand and finished with a controversial draw. Pacquiao had knocked down Márquez three times in the first round itself.

The moment of glory finally touched his gloves on September 10, 2005. Pacquiao knocked out Hector Velázquez, and went on to become the WBC International Super Featherweight champion at Staples Center, Los Angeles, California. A true champion, Pacquiao is also the owner of Pac Man Gensan, the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association in General Santos City.

Posted in: ATHLETES,Manny Pacquiao