Manny Pacquiao: The Pac-man Cometh (part 2)

Pacquiao moves from the streets of Manila to ring in Las Vegas and beyond.

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao is from the Philippines and is the only eight-division world champion. Well known to US gambling news, Pacquiao won 10 world titles and was the first to be lineal champion in four different weight classes. The Boxing Writers Association of America named Pacquiao the “Fighter of the Decade” for the 2000’s. He was a three-time “Fighter of the Year” by The Ring.

• Pacquiao was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit by President Arroyo
• The BWAA named Pacquiao the “Fighter of the Decade” for the 2000’s.
• Golden Boy Promotions sued Pacquiao as a result of staying with Top Rank.

Pacquiao grew up poor in a small village of Tango. Upon his family moving to General Santos, Pacquiao discovered his boxing abilities. At 15, he stowed away on a boat headed for Manila. On the streets he was given food by restaurant managers at night and sold part of it during the day. Keeping up with his boxing, he was able to achieve status as a boxer. After winning a flyweight title, Pacquiao met Freddie Roach.

The road beyond the Super Bantamweight title

Manny Pacquiao with his new found trainer Freddie Roach stepped into the MGM Grand Garden Arean in Las Vegas in 2001. Entering as a replacement fighter, Pacquiao was able to defeat Lehlohonolo Ledwaba by technical knockout to win the IBF Super Bantamweight title. Although this was his second major title, the event in this major Las Vegas venue gave Pacquiao the exposure that he couldn’t get anywhere else.

In 2003, Pacquiao had another defining fight against Marco Antonio Barrera at the Alamodome. Handing him the only knockout loss in his career, Barrera lost to a Pacquiao who fought at featherweight for the first time. Pacquiao won the Lineal and The Ring Featherweight Championship. After two title defenses, Pacquiao let go of the title.

Well known to Philippine gambling news, Pacquiao was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit by President Arroyo and an achievement medal by the Phillipine House of Representatives. Pacquiao soon go to the MGM Grand to face Juan Manuel Marquez, who held WBA and IBF Featherweight titles. Going into the fight as the only Asian to win three-division titles, Pacquiao was knocked down three times by Pacquiao.

Marquez was able to rally back and win the bout by decision. Moving up to junior lightweight, Pacquiao faced the three-division world champion Erik Morales. After gaining a cut during the fifth round, Pacquiao lost the bout by unanimous decision. Six months later Pacquiao defeated Hector Velazques at the Staples Center in LA and captured the WBC International Super Featherweight title.

Pacquiao faces Morales and Marquez in rematches.

Pacquiao victory to Velazques happened on the same day as Morales loss to Zahir Raheem. Still the two had to meet again in Vegas. Pacquiao had vengeance as he defeated and gave Morales the first knockout in his career in the 10th round. Pacquiao won a title defense the next year against Oscar Larios, a two-time Super Bamtamweight champion. Soon Pacquiao would face Morales yet again.

Since the two were tied, it was natural for Pacquiao and Morales to face off again. Punters had a good time waging with online sportsbooks in the US. Among a crowd of 18,276, Pacquiao delivered a third round knockout in Vegas. Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, said he’s staying with Top Rank and not sign with Golden Boy Promotions. As a result, Golden Boy Promotions sued Pacquiao for breach of contract.

As a result of the lawsuit, Pacquaio had to wait to fight Barrera who’s managed by Golden Boy Promotions. After a settlement between companies, the two would fight in June of 2007. Paquiao’s punch, causing a deep cut below Barrera’s eye, made Barrera launch an illegal punch on the break that caused him a point deduction. Barrera lost the fight.

Soon Pacquiao would face Marquez again in 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Pacquiao, winning by split decision, gained the WBC Super Featherweight and The Ring Super Featherweight titles becoming a four-division champion. Despite the demand for a rematch, Pacquiao insisted on moving forward to the lightweight division instead.