Boxing Corner: Who is Manny Pacquiao?

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, who is more commonly known as Manny Pacquiao, is the most popular Asian boxer in our generation. He was born on December 17, 1978 in the island of Mindanao of the Philippine Archipelago. On January 22, 1995, Pacquiao took on Edmund Ignacio for his first professional bout in boxing according to Boxrec.com. Pacquiao defeated Ignacio on points and since then, he racked up ten victories before suffering his first defeat in the hands of Rustico Torrecampo on February 9, 1996. Following that setback, Pacquiao overpowered his next fifteen opponents, but he failed to make the contracted flyweight limit against Medgoen Singsurat and once again, Pacquiao suffered a knockout loss in the third round and his WBC flyweight title was turned over to the Thai veteran fighter.

On his next fourteen bouts, Pacquiao garnered twelve more amazing victories with the exception of two fights which resulted in draws, contra the late Agapito Sanchez and Juan Manuel Marquez, respectively. His last registered defeat was against the great Mexican warrior Erik "El Terrible" Morales, a future hall of fame fighter. With the tutelage of his Master Trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao had successfully climbed up to multiple weight divisions, gathering championship belts in the process.

Multiple Titles of Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao is recognized by the Ring Magazine, which is known as the Bible of boxing, as the current no. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He is the first boxer to win seven world titles in seven distinct weight divisions, and the only one to obtain lineal championship in four different weight classes namely flyweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, and junior welterweight. Pacquiao's numerous boxing titles are as follows:

- WBC World Flyweight title via knockout over Chatchai Sasakul of Thailand in the eighth round (Pacquiao's first lineal championship)

- IBF World Super Bantamweight title via technical knockout over Lehlohonolo Ledwaba of Africa (Pacquiao came in as a late replacement for this title bout and yet he destroyed the champion Ledwaba inside the distance)

- Ring Magazine Featherweight title via technical knockout over Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico in the eleventh round (Pacquiao's second lineal championship)

- WBC World and Ring Magazine Super Featherweight title via split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico (Pacquiao's third lineal championship)

- WBC World Lightweight title via knockout over David Diaz of the USA in the ninth round- IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight title via knockout over Ricky Hatton of the United Kingdom in the third round (Pacquiao's fourth lineal championship)

- WBO World Welterweight title via technical knockout over Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in the twelfth round

Pacquiao's Other Major Recognitions

Manny Pacquiao was named the Fighter of the Decade for years 2000-2009 by the Boxing Writers Association of America and by the giant network, HBO. Also for years 2006, 2008, and 2009, the BWAA and the Ring Magazine declared the Pacman as their Fighter of the Year. He was also recognized by the respected Ring Magazine organization as the no. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world for two consecutive years: 2008 and 2009. Other major organizations like Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, TIME Magazine, Forbes Magazine, and WBC appreciated and sanctioned Pacquiao's excellent contributions in the sports and in the world's society.

On March 13, 2010, pound-for-pound King Manny Pacquiao will be defending his WBO World Welterweight championship belt against the durable Joshua Clottey of Africa, who is now fighting from New York, at the legendary Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Furthermore, in the coming Philippine general election in May 2010, Pacquiao will run for the congressional seat of Sarangani province ... a solid move that manifests Pacquiao's desire to serve and to uplift his countrymen not only in the ring, but also in the government.

Sources:

Manny Pacquiao on Wikipedia

Boxrec: Manny Pacquiao