Achievements...

• World championship fights: 13-2-2, 8 KOs
• WBO welterweight world champion, three successful defenses
• "Fighter of the Decade 2000-2009" - Boxing Writers Association of America
• "2009 Fighter of the Year" - Boxing Writers Association of America
• "2008 Fighter of the Year" - Boxing Writers Association of America
• "2006 Fighter of the Year" - Boxing Writers Association of America
• "2011 Fighter of the Year" - ESPY Awards
• "2009 Fighter of the Year" - ESPY Awards
• Former WBC super welterweight world champion
• Former WBC lightweight world champion
• Former WBC super featherweight world champion
• Former IBF jr. featherweight world champion, four successful defenses
• Former WBC flyweight world champion, one successful defense
• Former WBC International super featherweight champion, three successful defenses
• Former WBC International super bantamweight champion, five successful defenses
• Former OPBF (Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation) flyweight champion, one successful defense

Professional Career Profile...

At the age of 33, Manny is a 17-year pro - he made his debut at 16. Boxing’s biggest and brightest star, he has been fighting at the top levels of competition and given some of the most sensational performances in the ring in recent years.

He has won world titles at 112, 122, 130, 135, 147, and 154 pounds.

Manny is not only recognized by most observers as the best fighter at any weight in the ring today – the best “Pound for Pound” - but is also considered one of the sport’s all-time greats.

His accomplishments in the ring have established him as a certain future first-ballot Hall of Famer. But Manny has reached another level that can be claimed by very few – he has transcended the sport.

He is the national hero of his native Philippines – the entire country of over 96 million people comes to a virtual standstill to watch whenever he fights.

Manny was elected last year as a Congressman in the Sarangani province in the Philippines. He is also a recording artist and an action-movie star in his home country.

His “rags to riches” story is spectacular and literal – a scrawny 14 year-old kid living on the streets of Manila goes on to become one of the world’s most recognizable and revered athletes. He has already been the subject of books and movies, is featured in video games, and on a postage stamp in the Philippines.

He is coming off a controversial 12-round split decision loss against Timothy Bradley Jr. in his last fight on June 9, 2012. It was Manny’s first loss in seven years.

On November 13, 2010, Manny became the first fighter in history to win world titles in eight weight divisions when he won the WBC super welterweight world title with a dominant 12-round unanimous decision against former WBA, IBF, and WBO welterweight world champion Antonio Margarito. Manny vacated the title to move back down in weight to 147 pounds.

After the fight, Fightwriter.com’s Graham Houston reported [excerpts]: There are contenders and champions, stars and superstars, but every once in a while in boxing there comes a phenomenon, and this description applies to Manny Pacquiao after his one-sided win over Antonio Margarito….

The crowd at Cowboys Stadium and a worldwide TV viewing audience saw Pacquiao give a performance that cements his status as the world’s best fighter at any weight.

Margarito towered over the fabulous Filipino and on the night of the fight he had a 17-pound weight advantage, but it was never going to be enough. Pacquiao outclassed, outfought and outpunched the bigger man. I think Pacquiao could have stopped him, too, had he really wanted to do so, in either the 11th or 12th round. Margarito was busted up and broken down, but Pacquiao showed compassion for the brave Mexican warrior and coasted home.

The win made Pacquiao the WBC’s 154-pound champion (although the match weight was 150 pounds) but clearly he could still make 140 pounds. He is a marvel to be compared with old-time great Henry Armstrong, who simultaneously held titles at three weights - 126, 135 and 147 pounds - in the 1930s.

Pacquiao’s achievement is remarkable…. [End Houston item]

Manny was voted “2009 Fighter of the Year” and “Fighter of the Decade 2000-2009” by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

BWAA president Jack Hirsch wrote on their webpage [excerpts]: If there were any doubt that Manny Pacquiao is the biggest star of his sport, it was put to rest by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America. By an overwhelming margin, Pacquiao took home not only the BWAA’s newly named “Sugar Ray Robinson Fighter of the Year” award, but went one better by also winning “Fighter of the Decade” honors. For Pacquiao, it was his third BWAA “Fighter of the Year” award, tying him with Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield for the most in the history of the organization. [End BWAA item]

The Associated Press reported [excerpts]: Manny Pacquiao was honored as the fighter of the decade by the Boxing Writer’s Association of America on Monday....

The reigning pound-for-pound king was chosen fighter of the decade over Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, was honored with a record-setting fourth Eddie Futch Award for trainer of the year. [note: Roach won the award for the fifth time in 2010] Futch once trained Roach, who eventually became his assistant.... [End AP item]

Manny has fought 18 current or former world champions: Timothy Bradley Jr. (L12), Juan Manuel Marquez three times (W12, D12, W12), Shane Mosley (W12), Antonio Margarito (W12), Joshua Clottey (W12), Miguel Cotto (TKO12), Ricky Hatton (KO2), Oscar de la Hoya (TKO8), David Diaz (TKO9), Marco Antonio Barrera two times (W12, TKO11), Jorge Solis (KO8), Erik Morales three times (KO3, TKO10, L12), Oscar Larios (W12), Jorge Julio (KO2), Agapito Sanchez (TD6), Lehlohonolo Ledwaba (TKO6), Medgoen Lukchaopormasak (KOby3, and Chatchai Sasakul (KO8).

His webpage address is mannypacquiao.ph.

Key Fights...

2012...

LOST WBO W WORLD TITLE - in his last fight on June 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV, he lost a 12 round split decision against former WBO jr. weltereweight and two-time WBC super lightweight world champion Timothy Bradley Jr. (28-0) which ended with a controversial decision. Bradley gave a strong effort, but Manny appeared to dominate most of the fight. Manny started fast outworking Bradley, scored repeatedly with hard left hands, and built a lead on the scorecards. After four rounds, Manny led by scores of 39-37 on all three scorecards; Bradley fractured his right ankle in the 2nd round and twisted his right ankle badly in the 5th, but still gave a hard-working, determined effort in the middle rounds and after eight rounds, the fight was scored 78-74 Pacquiao, 76-76, 76-76. Manny continued to outwork Bradley and rocked him repeatedly with left hands in the late rounds, but Bradley boxed and moved more and had several rallies, which apparently swayed the judges; nearly everyone who saw the fight thought Manny won by decisive scores, but the judges scored 115-113, 115-113 Bradley, 115-113 Pacquiao; after the fight, Manny said, “I did my best, but I guess my best wasn't good enough. I've been watching his fight tapes - there were no surprises. He never hurt me with his punches, most of them hit my arms. I don't know what happened.”

2011...

3RD WBO W WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - November 12, 2011 - in his last fight in Las Vegas, NV, he won a 12 round majority decision in his third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1). In a close and exciting fight, Manny kept a fast pace and generally outworked Marquez, but Marquez scored with accurate counterpunches, landed the harder punches, and had several rallies; Manny started fast - he swept the 1st round on all three scorecards, won the 2nd on two scorecards, then swept the 3rd round; Marquez swept the 4th and 5th, but Manny came back and swept the 6th. After six rounds, the fight was scored 58-56, 58-56 Pacquiao, 57-57. Marquez swept the 7th round, but Manny finished the fight strongly; winning the 8th and 9th on two scorecards. Manny was also cut over his right eye by a clash of heads in the 9th - then won the 10th, 11th, and 12th rounds on two scorecards, as well; scored 115-113, 116-112 Pacqiuao, 114-114.

2ND WBO W WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - on 5-7-11 in Las Vegas he won a 12 round unanimous decision against former lightweight, welterweight, and super welterweight world champion Shane Mosley (46-6-1). Manny dominated the fight - he constantly pressed forward, outworked Mosley, and landed the harder punches. Manny scored a knockdown with a left hand that left Mosley dazed in the 3rd round, and Mosley fought to survive after that. Mosley was credited with a knockdown in the 10th round, but replays clearly showed that it was a push and no punch landed; scored 120-107, 120-108, 119-108.

2010...

WON VACANT WBC SW WORLD TITLE - on 11-13-10 in Arlington, TX, he won a 12 round unanimous decision against former WBA, IBF, and WBO welterweight world champion Antonio Margarito (38-6). Manny dominated the entire fight. Margarito had a huge size advantage, but Manny kept him off balance with movement, consistently outworked him, and landed the harder punches. Margarito was swollen under his right eye in the 5th round, and later cut and bruised in the same area (it was discovered after the fight that his orbital bone was broken). Margarito rocked Manny in the 6th, but it was one of the few rallies that he had; Manny steadily wore him down and staggered him with a series of punches in the 10th round. Manny looked to the referee to stop the fight in the 11th round, but the fight continued. Manny dominated the 11th and 12th, but with less ferocity, and Margarito's right eye was swollen shut at the final bell; scored 120-108, 119-109, 118-110. After the fight, Manny said, "I did my best. He's strong. He's a very tough fighter. I can't believe he took those punches."

1ST WBO W WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - on 3-13-10 in Arlington he won a 12 round unanimous decision against former IBF welterweight world champion Joshua Clottey (35-3). Manny dominated; consistently outworking Clottey andl landing the harder punches. Clottey fought very defensively for the entire fight; scored 119-109, 119-109, 120-108. After the fight, Manny said, "It was not an easy fight. He's a good fighter. I threw a lot of jabs in the beginning to counter his hook and uppercut. I felt his power. He's so strong. I could tell he was looking to land the big shot throughout the fight."

2009...

WON WBO W WORLD TITLE - on 11-14-09 in Las Vegas he TKO'd defending champion Miguel Cotto (34-1). Cotto was disciplined and sharp and scored with solid combinations, but Manny scored a knockdown with a right hook in the 3rd round and scored another knockdown with a left hand that left Cotto dazed in the 4th. Cotto courageously fought on and rallied in the 5th round, but Manny staggered him with a left hand in the 6th, steadily wore him down, and dominated most of the rest of the fight. Cotto boxed and moved in the late rounds, but Manny landed the harder punches, rocked him repeatedly in the 9th round, and Cotto's mouth and nose were bloodied, his face battered and swollen. Cotto won the 10th on two scorecards, but Manny swept the 11th round, then rocked Cotto again early in the 12th and the referee stopped the fight at 0:55.

On 5-2-09 in Las Vegas he knocked out former IBF jr. welterweight and WBA welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton (45-1). Manny quickly overwhelmed Hatton scoring two knockdowns in the 1st round - the first with a right hook, the second with a left hand. He scored another knockdown with a left hand that dropped Hatton flat on his back, out cold, late in the 2nd round and the referee stopped the fight at 2:59.

2008...

On 12-6-08 in Las Vegas he TKO'd former WBO jr. lightweight, WBO and IBF lightweight, WBC super lightweight, welterweight, and two-time super welterweight, and WBO middleweight world champion Oscar De La Hoya (39-5). De La Hoya was a 2-1 favorite to win. De La Hoya won the 1st round on one judge's scorecard, but none after that. Manny kept him off-balance with movement, consistently outworked him, and rocked him with hard left hands in every round. Manny rocked De La Hoya repeatedly in the 7th round - which two judges scored 10-8 for him - and De La Hoya's left eye was swollen shut. De La Hoya did not continue after the 8th round.

WON WBC L WORLD TITLE - on 6-28-08 in Las Vegas, he TKO'd lefthanded defending champion David Diaz (34-1-1). Diaz, a 1996 U.S. Olympian, gave a tremendous effort, but Manny dominated the entire fight and gave him a severe beating. He rocked Diaz repeatedly and cut him badly over his right eye in the 4th round. Manny scored a knockdown with a left hand that dropped Diaz face-first to the canvas, and the referee stopped the fight without a count at 2:24. After eight rounds, Manny led by scores of 80-71, 80-71, 80-72.

WON WBC SF WORLD TITLE - on 3-15-08 in Las Vegas, NV, he won a 12 round split decision in the rematch against defending champion Juan Manuel Marquez (48-3-1). In a fast-paced, exciting fight, the momentum shifted back and forth. Manny swept the 1st round on all three scorecards, but Marquez came back, staggered him with a right hand-left hook combination in the 2nd, and swept the round; Manny scored a knockdown with left hand that dropped Marquez flat on his back late in the 3rd round, rocked Marquez again later in the round and won the round 10-8 on all three scorecards, then swept the 4th round on all three scorecards, as well. Marquez rallied and swept the 5th, 7th, and 8th rounds, but was nicked over his right eye in the 5th, and cut badly over the same eye by a clash of heads in the 7th. Manny was also cut badly over his right eye. Manny staggered Marquez with a left hand early in the 10th round, then rocked him against with series of punches moments later and swept the round, but Marquez finished the fight very strongly - he swept the 11th round and won the 12th on two scorecards; scored 115-112, 114-113 Pacquiao, 115-112 Marquez..

2007...

5TH WBC INTERNATIONAL SF TITLE DEFENSE - on 10-6-07 in Las Vegas, NV, he won a 12 round unanimous decision in the rematch against 33 year-old former three-time WBO jr. featherweight, IBF jr. lightweight and WBC super featherweight world champion Marco Antonio Barrera (63-5). Barrera had his moments - he rocked Manny with a right hand in the 3rd round and scored with a hard left hook and left uupercut in the 5th, but Manny pressed forward and consistently outworked him. Manny staggered Barrera and cut him under his right eye in the 11th round, and Barrera was penalized one point for punching on a break later in the round after he staggered Manny with a right hand; scored 118-109, 118-109, 115-112.

4TH WBC INTERNATIONAL SF TITLE DEFENSE - on 4-14-07 in San Antonio, TX, he knocked out Jorge Solis (32-0-2). The early rounds were tactical and close, and both were effective at times. Manny was cut over his left eye by a clash of heads in the 6th round, but rocked Solis later in the round. Manny stepped up his pace in the 7th round, then scored two knockdowns in the 8th - both with left hands - and he was counted out at 1:16.

2006...

3RD WBC INTERNATIONAL SF TITLE DEFENSE - on 11-18-06 in Las Vegas, NV, he knocked out former WBC super bantamweight, two-time featherweight, and super featherweight world champion Erik Morales (48-4). Morales gave a tremendous effort, but Manny gave a sensational performance, dominated the fight, and quickly overpowered him; Manny rocked Morales with a right hook in the 1st round and scored a knockdown with a straight left hand in the 2nd. Manny staggered Morales, then scored a knockdown with a series of punches in the 3rd round - Morales came back with a furious attack and rocked Manny, but Manny scored another knockdown and Morales was counted out at 2:57.

2ND WBC INTERNATIONAL SF TITLE DEFENSE - on 7-2-06 in Manila, PHIL, he won a 12 round unanimous decision against former WBC super bantamweight world champion Oscar Larios (56-4-1). Larios had some early success and staggered Manny in the 3rd round, but Manny came back and cut Larios over the left eye later in the round. Sseveral rounds were close, but Manny had the edge in most and and gave Larios a severe beating; Manny scored one knockdown in the 7th round and another in the 12th, and won by scores of 120-106, 118-108, 117-111.

1ST WBC INTERNATIONAL SF TITLE DEFENSE - on 1-21-06 in Las Vegas he TKO'd defending champion Erik Morales (48-3). Both gave tremendous efforts. The early rounds were close, but Morales rallied and swept rounds 3 through 5 on all three scorecards and after five rounds, led by scores of 49-46, 48-47, 48-47; but Manny came on strongly in the 6th - he consistently landed the harder punches and swept rounds six through nine on all three scorecards. Manny scored two knockdowns in the 10th - the first with a straight left hand, the second after a series of punches - and the referee stopped the fight without a count at 2:33; after nine rounds, Manny led by scores of 86-85, 87-84, 87-84.

2005...

WON VACANT WBC INTERNATIONAL SF TITLE - on 9-10-05 in Los Angeles, CA, he TKO'd Hector Velazquez (42-10-2). Velazquez started fast and gave a good effort, but Manny outworked him, landed the harder punches, and dominated most of the fight; Manny staggered Velazquez with a right hook in the 6th round, then scored a knockdown moments later; Velazquez got up at the count of eight, but the referee stopped the fight at 2:59; after five rounds, Manny led by scores of 49-46, 49-46, 48-47.

On 3-19-05 in Las Vegas, NV, lost a 12 round unanimous decision against former WBC super bantamweight, featherweight, and super featherweight world champion Erik Morales (47-2) .It was one of the most highly-anticipated fights of the year, and it was boxing at its best;. It was a ferocious battle that repeatedly brought the fans to their feet; it was a very close fight, and the momentum shifted back and forth - Manny started fast and won the first and third rounds on all three scorecards, but Morales weathered the early storm and rallied in the middle and late rounds. Morales won the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds on two scorecards, then the eighth, tenth, and eleventh on all three. Manny was cut over the right eye in the 5th round - ruled by a punch - but he won the seventh round on two scorecards, and swept the ninth and twelfth. Both stood toe-to-toe in the final round and punched nonstop until the bell. All three judges scored the fight 115-113.

2004...

On 12-11-04 in Taguig City, PHIL, he TKO'd Fahsan Thawatchai (44-7-1). Manny gave a devastating performance; he scored one knockdown in the 2nd round, another in the 3rd, and two more in the 4th - Fahsan was out cold, and the referee stopped the fight without a count at 1:26.

IBF, WBA F WORLD TITLE CHALLENGE - on 5-8-04 in Las Vegas, NV, he fought to a 12 round draw against defending champion Juan Manuel Marquez (42-2). Manny scored three knockdowns in the 1st round, and Marquez' nose was injured badly and bled throughout the fight; but Marquez showed tremendous heart and determination, gradually recovered, and boxed effectively for much of the fight;. Marquez swept rounds three through six on two judges' scorecards - he rocked Manny and cut him over the right eye in the 5th, and staggered him in the 6th. The second half of the fight was exciting, and the momentum went back and forth - Manny landed the harder punches, but Marquez kept a busier pace and won four of the last six rounds on one scorecard, and five on another. The final scores were 115-110 Marquez, 115-110 Pacquiao, 113-113.

2003...

On 11-15-03 in San Antonio, TX, he TKO'd former three-time WBO jr. featherweight world champion Marco Antonio Barrera (57-3). Tthe fight was at 126 pounds, and Barrera, considered by many observers to be the world's best featherweight, was a 4-1 favorite to win, but Manny gave a sensational performance. He was knocked down in the 1st round - replays showed that he was tripped when the punch was thrown - but dominated the rest of the fight; Manny scored a knockdown in the 3rd round, then rocked Barrera with several punches later in the round. He relentlessly pressured Barrera, landed the harder punches and wore him down; Barrera's left eye was swollen in the 4th round, and he was cut over the same eye by a clash of heads in the 7th. Barrera was also penalized one point for punching on the break in the 9th round. Manny scored another knockdown in the 11th round - Barrera got up, but Manny rocked him with a series of punches and Barrera's corner stopped the fight at 2:56. After 10 rounds, Manny led by scores of 97-88, 97-90, 97-90.

4TH IBF JF WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - on 7-26-03 in Los Angeles, CA, he knocked out previously undefeated Emmanuel Lucero (21-0-1). It was a spectacular one-punch knockout; Lucero was an awkward opponent - he pressed forward, dipped almost to the canvas at times and lunged at Manny with wide punches. Manny landed a single left hand in the 3rd round that sent Lucero staggering across the ring, out on his feet, and the referee stopped the fight at 0:48 as Lucero slumped to the canvas.

On 3-15-03 in Manila, PH, he TKO'd Serik Eshmagametov (13-18-1). Manny scored a knockdown in the 1st round, but Eshmagametov rallied and scored a knockdown in the 4th. Manny came back strongly, scored two knockdowns in the 5th round, and the referee stopped the fight at 1:52.

2002...

3RD IBF JF WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - on 10-26-02 in Davao, PH, he TKO'd Fahproakob Sithkwenim (36-2). Manny scored four knockdowns in the 1st round, and the referee stopped the fight at 2:36.

2ND IBF JF WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - on 6-8-02 in Memphis, TN, he knocked out Jorge Julio (44-3). Manny scored two knockdowns early in the 2nd round and bloodied Julio's nose. Julio got up both times, but Manny rocked him again and the referee stopped the fight at 1:09.

2001...

1ST IBF JF WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - on 10-11-01 in San Francisco, CA, he had a technical draw against WBO world champion Agapito Sanchez (33-7-1). It was a very dirty fight with continuous mauling and repeated fouls. Manny was cut badly over the right eye in the 2nd round by a clash of heads, and later on his left ear. Sanchez was penalized one point in the 3rd round for pushing the laces of his gloves against Manny's cut, and another point in the 4th for low blows. Sanchez was also cut over his left eye in the 5th. The referee stopped the fight on Manny's cut at 1:20 of the 6th round and went to the scorecards - 58-54 Pacquiao, 57-55 Sanchez, 56-56.

WON IBF JF WORLD TITLE - on 6-23-01 in Las Vegas, NV, he TKO'd defending champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba (33-1-1). Manny took the fight on two weeks' notice and gave a sensational performance - he bloodied Ledwaba's nose in the 1st round, knocked him down in the 2nd, then rocked him several times in the 3rd and 4th. Manny scored two more knockdowns in the 6th, and the referee stopped the fight without a count at 0:59.

4TH WBC INTERNATIONAL JF DEFENSE - on 4-28-01 in Kidapawan City, PH, he TKO'd Kumanpetch Kiatvoraphong (38-2). Manny was floored by low blows two times in the 4th round, and one time in the 5th, and Kumanpetch was penalized one point; but Manny came back strong in the 6th - he staggered Kumanpetch with a right hand, then rocked him with a series of punches, and the referee stopped the fight at 2:46.

3RD WBC INTERNATIONAL JF DEFENSE -on 2-24-01 in Antipolo, PH, he TKO'd Cholho Kang (19-4-3). Kang, a North Korean based in Japan, is also known as Tetsutora Senrima. Manny stopped him at 1:06 of the 5th round.

2000...

2ND WBC INTERNATIONAL JF DEFENSE -on 10-14-00 in Manila, PH, he TKO'd previously undefeated British Commonwealth champion Nadel Hussein (19-0). Hussein scored a knockdown in the 4th round, but was also penalized one point; Manny came back in the 5th round and cut Hussein over and under the left eye, and the fight was eventually stopped on the cuts at 1:48 of the 10th. After nine rounds, Manny led by scores of 87-80, 87-83, 87-85. Hussein and his trainer, former three-time world champion Jeff Fenech, protested bitterly that Manny received a long count after his knockdown and that Hussein's cuts had been ruled from a clash of heads.

1ST WBC INTERNATIONAL JF DEFENSE - on 6-28-00 in Quezon City, PH, he TKO'd previously undefeated Sungkwon Chae (23-0): at 1:42 of the 1st round.

1999...

WON WBC INTERNATIONAL JF TITLE - on 12-18-99 in Manila he TKO'd former Philippines champion and world title challenger Reynante Jamili (41-5). Manny scored three knockdowns, and stopped Jamili in the 2nd round.

LOST WBC FL WORLD TITLE - on 9-17-99 in Thammarat, TH, he was knocked out against Medgoen Lukchaopormasak (19-0). Manny lost the title at the weigh-in when he did not make weight, and Medgoen won the vacant title. Medgoen knocked down Manny with a body punch in the 3rd round, and he was counted out at 1:32.

1ST WBC FL WORLD TITLE DEFENSE - on 4-23-99 in Manila he knocked out Gabriel Mira (19-7-1). Mira started fast and rocked Manny two times in the 2nd round, but Manny rallied to knock down Mira later in the round. Manny scored another knockdown in the 3rd, and three more in the 4th, and the referee stopped the fight at 2:45.

1998...

WON WBC FL WORLD TITLE - on 12-4-98 in Phuttamonthon, TH, he knocked out defending champion Chatchai Sasakul (33-1). It was a spectacular one-punch knockout; Sasakul dominated the early rounds with his speed, skill, and sharp combination punching, but Manny rocked him in the 4th round. Sasakul recovered quickly and continued to box effectively, but Manny knocked down Sasakul with a single left hand in the 8th round, and he was counted out at 2:54.

1997...

WON OPBF FL TITLE - on 6-27-97 in Manila he knocked out Chokchai Chokwiwat: in the 5th round.

 

Personal Background...

Manny was born in General Santos City, Philippines, and grew up in a family with six children. His parents were vegetable farmers, and are now estranged. Manny built a house for his mother close to his own.

When Manny was 14, he moved to Manila and lived, for a time, on the streets. He started boxing and made the Philippines’ national amateur team. His room and board were paid for by the federal government, and he reportedly had 64 amateur fights (60-4). He said, “When I was younger, I watched so many videos of Larry Holmes, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and others. I used to rent the videos.”

He turned pro at 16 and won the Oriental-Pacific flyweight title when he was 18. He invited his brother Bobby to come to Manila and took him to the boxing gym. His brother Rogel was also a talented boxer, but suffered a head injury in a motorcycle accident and no longer boxes.

Manny has starred in several popular Filipino action movies, and is a successful recording artist.

From wikipedia.com [excerpts]: He is the son of Rosalio Pacquiao and Dionesia Dapidran-Pacquiao. His parents separated when he was in sixth grade, after his mother discovered that his father was living with another woman. He is the fourth among six siblings: Liza Silvestre-Onding and Domingo Silvestre (from first husband of his mother) and Isidra Pacquiao-Paglinawan, Alberto “Bobby” Pacquiao and Rogelio Pacquiao.

Pacquiao is married to Maria Geraldine “Jinkee” Jamora, and they have four children: Emmanuel Jr. “Jimuel,” Michael, Princess, and Queen Elizabeth “Queenie.” He resides in his hometown General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines. However, as a congressman of lone district of Sarangani, he is officially residing in Kiamba, Sarangani, the hometown of his wife.

Pacquiao is a devout Roman Catholic. Within the ring, he frequently makes the sign of the cross and every time he comes back from a successful fight abroad, he attends a thanksgiving Mass in Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, to kneel and pray.

Pacquiao is also a military reservist with the rank of Sergeant Major for the 15th Ready Reserve Division of the Philippine Army. When younger he had considered becoming a soldier, and was enlisted in the military reserve force as an Army Private.

Pacquiao completed his elementary education at Saavedra Saway Elementary School in General Santos City, but dropped out of high school due to extreme poverty. He left his home at age 14 because his mother, who had six children, was not making enough money to support her family.

At the age of 14, Pacquiao moved to Manila and lived, for a time, on the streets. He started boxing and made the Philippine national amateur boxing team where his room and board were paid for by the government. Pacquiao reportedly had an amateur record of 64 fights (60-4).

In 1995, the death of a young aspiring boxer and close friend Eugene Barutag spurred the young Pacquiao to pursue a professional boxing career. Pacquiao started his professional boxing career when he was just 16 years of age, stood at 4’11”, and weighed 98 pounds (7 pounds under the minimumweight division). He admitted before American media that he put weights in his pockets to make the 105-pound weight limit.

In February 2007 he took, and passed, a high school equivalency exam making him eligible for college education. He was awarded with a high school diploma by the Department of Education. Pacquiao enrolled for a college degree in business management at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) in his hometown in General Santos City.

On February 18, 2009, Pacquiao was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) by Southwestern University (SWU) at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug, Cebu City in recognition of his boxing achievements and humanitarian work.

In preparation for his career as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Pacquiao enrolled in the Certificate Course in Development, Legislation, and Governance at the Development Academy of the Philippines – Graduate School of Public and Development Management (DAP-GSPDM).

A film based on Pacquiao's life, Pacquiao: The Movie, was released on June 21, 2006, featuring Filipino actor Jericho Rosales as Manny Pacquiao and was directed by Joel Lamangan. The film flopped at the box office, grossing a total of only P4,812,191 (approximately US$99,322), as confirmed by Lamangan.

Pacquiao is featured in the boxing video games Fight Night Round 2, Fight Night Round 3, Fight Night Round 4 and Fight Night Champion.

Pacquiao became the first Filipino athlete to appear on a postage stamp.

Pacquiao became the first Filipino Olympic non-participant to be Team Philippines’ flag-bearer during the August 8 opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium. Swimmer Miguel Molina, 2005 Southeast Asian Games’ Best Male Athlete, yielded the honor to Pacquiao, upon the request of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the national sports officials on the Philippines at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Pacquiao plays basketball as a cross-training to keep himself in shape. He is playing in the semi-professional basketball league, Liga Pilipinas, with the team he owns, the MP-Gensan Warriors. He made his debut in the Smart-Liga Pilipinas Conference II in January 16, 2009. He wears jersey number 17.

Pacquiao has been included by Time Magazine as one of the world’s most influential people for the year 2009, for his exploits in boxing and his influence among the Filipino people. Pacquiao was also included by Forbes Magazine in its annual Celebrity 100 list for the year 2009, joining Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie and fellow athletes Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant. Forbes also listed Pacquiao as the World's 6th Highest Paid Athlete, with a total of 40 Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00) from the second half of 2008 to the first half of 2009. Tied with him on the sixth spot was the NBA player LeBron James and golfer Phil Mickelson. Pacquiao was again included in Forbes’ list of Highest Paid Athletes from the second half of 2009 to the first half of 2010; he was ranked 8th with an income of $42 million. Pacquiao had also won the 2009 ESPY Awards for the Best Fighter category, beating fellow boxer Shane Mosley and Brazilian mixed martial arts fighters Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva. [End wikipedia.com item]

From Time Magazine, Asia edition, Nov. 16, 2009, by Howard Chua-Eoan and Ishaan Tharoor [excerpts]: Pacquiao has a myth of origin equal to that of any Greek or Roman hero. Aban-doned by his father and brought up by a tough-as-nails mother, the poor boy who loves to box is rejected by a local squad but then journeys many islands away, to the country’s metropolis, Manila, to make it big. Then he leaves the Philippines to make it even bigger, conquering the world again and again to bring back riches to share with his family and friends. Now, in his hometown of General Santos City on the island of Mindanao, he and his family own commercial buildings, a convenience store, cafés and a souvenir shop that sells everything from DVDs of his fights to T-shirts to bobblehead dolls. In Manila, his children attend one of the most exclusive and expensive private schools. He is generous to a fault, spending thousands of dollars a day feeding and entertaining guests. For his last fight, he distributed $800,000 in tickets to friends.

He left home at 14 because his mother Dionisia, who did odd jobs and factory work and hawked vegetables by roadsides, wasn’t really making enough to feed her six children. He had to go off and earn money elsewhere, doing anything to relieve the burden on his mother - even if she wanted him by her side. As it was, he was often absent from school because the family needed him to help sell snacks and trinkets on the potholed lanes where nearly naked children with matted hair still chase rusting bicycle wheels for fun. Pacquiao liked school, correcting and grading his classmates’ homework. He “never cheated during a quiz - he wouldn’t try to look sideways, this way or that,” says one of his schoolteachers from the Saavedra Saway Elementary School. A decent education, however, requires several years and a lot of money. The Pacquiaos had trouble accumulating even a little.

And so young Manny plotted his trip in secret. Dionisia Pacquiao is slender and slight, like her son, and has his easy smile. “Manny has a strong mind and a strong body,” she says. “Just like his mother. Except I am stronger.” But she was heartbroken when he left for Manila. Dionisia recalls receiving a letter from him “saying how sorry he was [for leaving home] ... I was very, very sad. But after a while, I accepted his destiny.”

Pacquiao was not one to pick quarrels. But he did not shy away when friends got into free-for-alls: what he calls, with an almost pop-eyed relish, bukbukan - unrestrained fistfighting. He loved boxing. Dionisia recalls an 8-year-old Manny wrapping towels around his hands to mimic gloves. Rey Golingan, a General Santos City businessman, remembers the young Pacquiao attending the weekly bouts in the main plaza. “Manny was always there at the fights, waiting to be paired with someone,” says Golingan. But his consistency wasn’t matched by any obvious talent. “Honestly, I didn’t see any potential in Manny. He was just another kid who knew if he won a few fights he might get 100 pesos [less than $3],” says Golingan. “He was always very courageous and had natural speed and power. But he wasn’t a clever boxer ... He was [always] flailing around.”

When he got to Manila, Pacquiao first worked as a laborer. His enthusiasm for boxing, however, had him returning to the ring, fighting in run-for-cover, barely legal matches pulled together in one of Manila’s cramped suburbs. He lingers over the names of boxers he knew who died after such fights, then moves on. The death of a friend reportedly spurred Pacquiao to turn professional. [End Time Magazine item]

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