Manny Pacquiao, sometimes simply known as Pacman, began his career in 1995, at age 16. He won his first couple of fights, before bumping into Rustico Torrecampo, who scored a third-round KO over Pacquiao, but the replay clearly showed that Torrecampo hit Manny below the belt. Manny went forward with his career, before fighting Chokchai Chockvivat for the OPBF flyweight title. A few fights later in December of 1998, Pacquiao fought WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul. The bout was very even, the champion being elusive and a good counter puncher. Pacquiao won by KO in round eight, after which Sasakul did not get up for a few minutes. Pacquiao's next noteworthy assignment came when he fought Lehlohonolo Ledwaba for the IBF 122 lb title. Pacquiao came as a late sub on a few weeks notice and dominated the fight, knocking out the champ in six rounds. Pacquiao made a string of IBF title defenses before moving up in weight and fighting Marco Antonio Barrera. Pacquiao boxed well and his southpaw style seemed to be troubling Barrera. Pacquiao knocked down Barrera three times in this fight. Next Pacquiao fought Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez was down three times in the first round. However, Marquez did come back to win many of the latter rounds and secure a draw. Pacquiao was then signed for a match with Erik Morales, at 130 pounds after a rematch with Marquez never materialized, because of Marquez demanding far too much money. In a candidate for Fight of the Year, Morales won a slim decision against Pacquiao, winning on all three judges scorecards by scores of 115-113.He came back from the Morales defeat to knockout Hector Velazquez in six rounds. In January 2006, Pacquiao scored one of the biggest victories of his career, when he stopped Erik Morales in the 10th round of their rematch, the first stoppage loss of Morales career.
Pacquiao is extraordinarily popular in the Philippines, where he is currently the most popular athlete in his country। Pacquiao has branched into acting in Filipino movies and various business ventures as well, including a number of commercial endorsements, seen almost everyday on local TV. Pacquiao carried his country's flag at the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic games.
Awards and Titles
- WBC flyweight champion (1997-98, lost title when he failed to make weight for title bout)
- IBF super bantamweight champion (2001-03, vacated to fight at featherweight)
- WBC Super Featherweight champion
- WBC Lightweight champion
- 2006 & 2008 ESPN "Fighter of the Year"
- 2006 & 2008 Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year
- 2006 & 2008 Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year
- 2007 World Boxing Hall of Fame "Fighter of the Year"
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