Record: 44-3-2, 35 KOs


Biography

Christened Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Manny was born on December 17, 1978 in Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines by Dionisia Dapigaran and Rosalio Pacquiao.

When young Manny was still in grade 6, his father left them to work on a farm in Tampakan, South Cotabato. Soon enough, his mother found out that Rosalio’s already been raising a family with another woman. Left to fend for his mother and his siblings, Manny dropped out of school and take on menial jobs including selling breads in the streets and did laundry for other people.

Despite being abandoned by his husband, Dionisia made sure that their children would not lose any respect for their father. In January of 2006, after 15 years of separation, Manny got his long-time dream of seeing his parents reunited once again.

Pacquiao is married to Jinky Jamora-Pacquiao with 3 children namely, Emmanuel Jr., Michael Stephen and Mary Divine Grace also-known-as Princess. He is currently residing at his 4,000 square meter mansion in General Santos City.

Boxing Career

Manny is truly a lover of sports. When he was younger, he used to play volleyball and track and field. But boxing is his true love. At the age of 16, he stowed away on a ship to Manila in hopes of pursuing his boxing career. This, despite his parents’ dissaproval.

While still struggling in Manila, Manny worked as a gardener and construction worker just to provide for his needs. Legends say that some of the promoters during that time don’t even want to give Manny a second look because he’s too small to be a boxer. But, he proved them wrong.

Manny started his professional boxing career in 1995 at the tender age of 16. His early fights were shown on Vintage Sport’s Blow by Blow, which at the time is hosted by John Betita. His first pro-fight happened opposite Edmund Ignacio on January 22, 1995 where he won via decision. That instantly earned him the right to be the “star” of the show. His next fight was against Rustico Torrecampo, which ended on a 3rd round TKO. After Torrecampo, Pacquiao became a WBC Flyweight Champion after defeating Thai legend Chatchai Sasakul. He then lost to Medgoen Singsurat while defending his crown for the 2nd time. In June 23, 2001, Pacquiao stepped into the ring as a last minute replacement and in the process defeated defending champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba for the IBF Superbantamweight belt.

In 2003, Manny gained a shot at superstardom when he outwitted, outpunched and outlasted Mexican champion Marco Antonio Barrera at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas via 11th round stoppage by Barrera’s corner. After the fight, the world saw the shock on the faces of Barrera's fans and of the entire Mexican world. Meanwhile in the Philippines, Pacman’s countrymen were celebrating! Manny has trully arrived.

Six months later, Manny was at it again, this time against another respected Mexican boxer in Juan Manuel Marquez, holder of the WBA and IBF featherweight title. The fight was held at the MGM Grand. Unfortunately for Manny, the fight ended in a draw although he knocked out Marquez 3 times on the first round. Later on, one of the judges admitted making an error on the scorecards. Obviously, Manny should’ve won it despite the swell that developed in his foot during the fight which hampered his mobility.

On March 19, 2005 after moving up to another weight-class, from 126 to 130 lbs, Pacquiao went up against 3-time division champion Erik Morales at the MGM Grand. However, and perhaps due to his over-eagerness, Manny lost to El Terrible via unanimous decision.

His next stop was against Hector Velasquez held at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California where he captured the WBC International Super Featherweight title.

On January 21, 2006, Pacquaio outbest rival Erik Morales in their much-anticipated rematch by way of technical knockout in front of the Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas.

His suceeding fights were against Oscar Larios (July 2), Erik Morales (Nov. 18, 2006-3rd rematch-won by Pacquiao via TKO) and Jorge Solis (April 14, 2007- won by Pacquiao via 8th round KO).

For this year 2007, Pacman (28) will be going up against Barrera (33) anew at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in a fight dubbed as “Will to Win.” Manny will be out to prove once and for all that he is the undisputed “Mexican Destroyer.” While Barrera, already in the twilight of his career will be avenging his bitter 2003 loss which according to his camp was a mere fluke. The fight is slated on October 6.

In the bible of boxing, Pacquiao (44-3-2) remains at the top of the junior lightweight division (130 pounds). He had been in the ratings for 108 weeks. Pacquiao is also at No. 2 in the pound-for-pound category behind welterweight champ Floyd Mayweather, who recently defeated Oscar de la Hoya. [credits: Wikipedia]

Political, showbiz and other sports career

Driven by his strong desire to “help his countrymen,” Pacquiao ran for public office as a congressional candidate of South Cotabato in the May 2007 National Elections. But perhaps due to his lack of political knowledge and expertise, but definitely not of conviction, incumbent Congresswoman Darlene Antonio-Custodio knocked out Pacquiao via 37,00+ votes! Apparently, his "kababayans" [fellowmen] prefer to see him fight on top of the ring rather than be dampened by politics.

Meanwhile, side from being a bemedalled prizefighter, Manny is also a recording artist. After winning his first rematch aagainst Morales he produced an album, which included the song “Para Sa ‘Yo Ang Laban Na ‘to” [This Fight is For You]. The album as expected, became a surefire hit. Manny also appeared in numerous commercials for San Miguel Beer and Ginebra San Miguel Gin. He’s also the endorser of McDonalds, Alaxan, No Fear, Xtreme Magic Sing and Nike to name a few.

Manny also loved the game of basketball. In fact, he owns a basketball club in the Philippines called Gensan MP Pacman Warriors that see action in the National Basketball Conference. He even practices with his team at times.

Pacquiao must-haves

Indeed, Manny remains to be the simple guy despite his popularity. He never fails to pay homage to those people and things that made him the man that he is now. But among other things, these are what he can’t live without:

Faith – Manny came from a family who loves God above all. During his fights, he always wears a crucifix and kneels down to say a prayer.

Family – Manny considers his family, his wife and kids, parents and siblings, as his biggest inspiration in life.

Love for country – Pacman’s patriotism was well manifested when he said on national television that if his fights were the only way to unite his country, he’d be willing to fight everyday

Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez – the man is his long-time friend, trainer and confidante. Manny would’nt go anywhere without his trusted friend on his side.

Freddie Roach – aside from being a real boxing genius that Manny can always learn from, Freddie is like a father to him. He loves the guy like a son. And the son loves him as much.

Controversial Manny

To say that Pacman’s life is colorful is a bit of an understatement. Since his claim-to-fame in 2003, a fight in which he punished Barrera wth aplomb, Pacquiao has been a subject of controversies. He’s been hit on all angles. But like a true warrior, he’s managed to knock them down before they could even hurt him.

On February of 2006, Joanna Rose Bacosa, Pacman’s alleged ex-girlfriend surfaced and claimed that she had a son with the boxer. Later on, he filed a complaint citing Pacquiao’z failure to provide child support at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. The case however was junked.

On March 21, Pacquiao was hospitalized due to stomach problems that were caused by his alleged “extra-curricular activities.” Roach issued a fatherly warning to put him in his proper place.

In his game against Larios, Pacquiao was rumored to have allowed the game to go the distance instead of keeping his promise to knock the Mexican down in the early rounds. Some scribes say that Manny didn’t play to his true form and he just “took it easy on him” because Larios was a “good guy.”

In September 2006, Pacquiao signed with Golden Boy Productions. But after his 3rd fight, Arum declared that Manny implied his intentions to stick with Top Rank. Feeling slighted, GBP sued Pacman for breach of contract. It was during that time when the Pacquiao-Barrera rematch seemed too impossible to happen.

He’s also rumored to have beaten the crap out of a shoplifter in a grocery, which he owns. But Pacman negated saying that if he indeed “beat the guy,” he would not have been able to get-up for days!

Just this year, he was linked with his co-star and sexy actress Ara Mina. Both of them are working on a project when the gossip started. Some say that it caused a minor rift between Manny and his wife. However, it seemed that there was no truth in it at all after Jinky flew in to Cebu just to see Pacman train. Pacman even gave her jewelries as a surprise gift!

Sure these challenges are what keeps him a “real” celebrity. But he has to be more cautious. These chatters may not taper off anytime soon.

Credits:
Wikipedia
Pacland

Pacman news and articles

Sports Unlimited

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