MANNY PACQUIAO
updated March 16, 2008
At the age of 26, Manny is a ten-year pro - he made his debut at the age of 16. A former two-time world champion, he won the WBC flyweight world title two weeks before his 20th birthday in December, 1998, and held the title for nearly a year. He held the IBF jr. featherweight world title from June, 2001, until he vacated it on January 15, 2004, to move up to the featherweight division.
An aggressive lefthanded slugger, Manny is recognized as one of the hardest punchers at any weight. He is 14-1-2 in his last 17 fights, with all 14 wins coming by knockout. In his last fight on September 10, he TKO'd Hector Velazquez in the sixth round.
Manny has been fighting at the top levels of competition, and has been in several of the most exciting fights of recent years.
Graham Houston wrote in Boxing Monthly, "Quite simply, Pacquiao is one of the hottest fighters in the business. There is a saying in American boxing: 'Speed kills.' When that speed is accompanied by power, it is truly a formidable combination - and Pacquiao has it."
Manny is a national hero in the Philippines - when he returns home after his fights, he is greeted by thousands of his cheering countrymen.
On March 19, he lost a very close decision in a tremendous battle against Erik Morales.
Manny fought to a 12-round draw on May 8, 2004, against Juan Manuel Marquez in a fight many observers considered to be the "Fight of the Year."
In November, 2003, he scored a devastating TKO win against former three-time world champion Marco Antonio Barrera. After the fight, HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant said, "This is a fight that will shake up the boxing world. Long live the new king."
Boxing columnist Michael Katz wrote, "He is on the cusp of becoming perhaps the greatest Asian fighter to conquer the West since Genghis Khan."
Manny is a national hero in the Philippines - when he returns home after his fights, he is greeted by thousands of his cheering countrymen.
Among his fans is Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She said, "The victory of Pacquiao is a victory of the more than 76 million Filipinos, and the entire nation joins him in celebrating."
Manny's webpage address is mannypacquiao.ph.
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