Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao is a professional boxer from the Philippines. Pacquiao was born on December 17, 1978 in Kihawe, Bukidnon, Phillipines . He began boxing professionally at age 16, and has won more than 90 percent of his fights. Pacquiao became the World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion in June of 2008.

Pacquiao became the WBO Welterweight Champion on November 14, 2009, when he defeated Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. He became the first boxer in history to win seven titles in seven different weight classeshttp://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4656400

Pacquiao's career mark stands at 51 victories, 3 defeats, and 2 draws. He has won 38 of his fights via knockout. http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?cat=boxer&human_id=6129

After returning home to the Phillipines last week, Pacquiao made statements that he may be ready to retire from the ring. This would hinge on him winning the political election in May of this year.

Pacquiao's advisor Wakee Salud has stated that he would find it hard for Pacquiao to retire without first fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pacquiao continues to say that he has been in the sport long enough and that he has little left to prove. http://www.examiner.com/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m5d14-Manny-Pacquiao-ponders-retirementhttp://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=26290

Speculation has swirled that he might want one more fight later this year, against either Mayweather or his opponent in a fight on May 1, "Sugar" Shane Mosley, should Mosley come out victorious against the undefeated Mayweather. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/other_sports/boxing/view/20100315manny_pacquiaos_camp_calls_out_floyd_mayweather/srvc=home&position=recent

Manny Pacquiao defended his title against Joshua Clottey on March 13, 2010 at the new Cowboys Stadium. Clottey was selected after the fallout with Mayweather over blood testing led to the proposed superfight between the two falling through.

In a one sided fight, Pacquiao dominated Clottey, who was content to try and withstand the barrage of punches from the champion. Clottey was merely hoping for an opening to land a punch that would have turned the tide in the fight, but Pacquiao was too fast and too brutal to handle.

"Joshua had the power to knock him out, but was reluctant to punch," said Clottey's trainer, Lenny DeJesus. "We clearly got beat. I don't think we won a round."

Bob Arum had this to say about the fight: ""There was no way Clottey was going to beat this guy, even if he took off his gloves and fought him bare-fisted." http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/031510dnspoboxlede.42df481.html

The judges rule:

• Duane Ford:120-108,
• Levi Martinez: 119-109
• Nelson Vazquez: 119-109

Manny Pacquiao wins by unanimous decision.http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/03/13/manny-pacquiao-vs-joshua-clottey-live-round-by-round-updates/

In what was possibly the biggest fight of Pacquiao's career, the Filipino champion took on Mexican American superstar Oscar De La Hoya in a non-title welterweight match.ESPN.com: De La Hoya, Pacquiao agree to Dec. 6 fight in Vegas The fight took place at a catch weight of 147 pounds. De La Hoya reportedly received 60 percent of the financial split, while Pacquiao received 40 percent. The fight took place in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand on December 6, 2008.ESPN.com: De La Hoya, Pacquiao agree to Dec. 6 fight in Vegas The fight pits Pacquiao, who many experts call the pound for pound champion against De La Hoya, who is arguably the biggest name in boxing.FanHouse: Boxing top 25 On the night of the fight, Manny Pacquiao defeated Oscar De La Hoya in a lopsided, 8-round match. 2 of 3 judges gave every round to Pacquiao, with De La Hoya winning the first round on one scorecard.Los Angeles Times: Pacquiao forces De La Hoya to quit (December 6, 2008)

De La Hoya was basically beaten into retirement as trainer Nacho Beristain called for the fight to be stopped after the eighth round. After the opening round, De La Hoya was never in the fight to the point that afterwards, he told Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach that "He was right...I (meaning De La Hoya) didn't have it any more." http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?prov=yhoo&slug=ki-manny120608&type=lgns

On December 25, 2008, Manny Pacquiao was named the ESPN fighter of the year. In 2008, Pacquiao defeated Juan Manuel Marquez to become the Junior lightweight champion, David Diaz to become the lightweight champion, then defeated superstar welterweight Oscar De La Hoya. Pacquiao was previously named the ESPN fighter of the year in 2006.ESPN.com: Pacquiao is ESPN.com's fighter of the year(December 25, 2008)

On December 19, 2008, news agencies reported that a mega fight between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton was close to a reality. Hatton's 140 pound junior welterweight title would be on the line. Pacquiao has just come off a victory over Oscar De La Hoya in a lopsided bout which saw Pacquiao force De La Hoya to quit after the eighth round. Hatton was in attendance and had made clear his intentions to pursue a fight against the winner of the bout.

Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum stated, I think we're there. We're just mopping up little details. My guy is on board. I think everybody is on board. I am very upbeat.ESPN.com: Details of Hatton-Pacquiao fight close to finalization (December 19, 2008)

On January 21, 2009, Golden Boy Boxing CEO, Richard Schaefer and promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank boxing announced that the proposed Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton mega fight was called off. Reportedly, Pacquiao is insisting on 60 percent of the split. A deal had been in place for an even 50/50 split but Pacquiao grew unhappy with the proposed purse. The deal is considered a big financial loss for Pacquiao and Hatton considering the lack of big name talent available for another mega fight. ESPN.com: Pacquiao won't sign; fight called off (January 21, 2009)

Having worked out their previous financial disagreements, Pacquiao faced off against Hatton on May 2, 2009, defeating Ricky Hatton with a second round knockout. Pacquiao knocked down Hatton twice in the first round, then knocked out Hatton at the 2:59 mark of the second round. It was Hatton's second defeat in his career. Pacquiao is only the second fighter to win six titles in six different weight classes. Oscar De La Hoya is the only other fighter to accomplish that feat.SI.com: Manny Pacquiao KOs Ricky Hatton in 2nd round (May 2, 2009)

On November 14th 2009 Manny Pacquiao faced Miguel Cotto for the WBO Welterweight title. Pacquiao defeated Cotto by a twelfth round technical knockout. The loss was just the second in 36 career fights for Cotto.

At the time the fight was called in the final round, Pacquiao was well ahead on the judges scorecards. Adelaide Byrd had Pacquiao ahead 109-99, Duane Ford scored the fight 108-99 and Dave Moretti had it 108-100 in favor of Pacquiao. http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?cat=boxer&human_id=6129

Pacquiao knocked Cotto down once in the third round and again in the fourth round. After the fourth round knockdown, Cotto's offense was no longer a factor as he was trying to stay upright and fight off Pacquiao's relentless attack. From the fifth round on until referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight at the 55 second mark of round twelve, Cotto landed less than 10 power punches per round. http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ki-pacmanwins111409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

With the victory Pacquiao became the first boxer in history to win seven championship titles in seven different weight classes.http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4656400