Manny Pacquiao The Philippines’ National Fist In Numbers

Emmanuel Darido Pacquiao has become known by many names around the world, including “Pacman.” Most people would know that when people talk about Manny, they are talking about one man – the toast of Philippine boxing. Manny Pacquiao was born December 17, 1978 in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines and was raised in General Santos City. After dropping out of high school at age 14 because of poverty, he went to Manila to provide for himself.

Whoever told the skinny street kid in Manila to go to a boxing gym must be proud of himself. Now, the Filipino is not only the first and only eight-division boxing champion of the world, boasting of amazing fight statistics, but also a Congressman, pro basketball player and coach, and philanthropist.

Manny Pacquiao has compiled fight statistics of 58 wins, 38 of which coming by way of knockout and 20 decisions. He has five defeats and two draws. During his amateur boxing career, the 5’6” boxer, who started his career standing at a mere 4’11” and weighing 108 pounds, reportedly won 60 out of his 64 fights – an impressive 15 wins to one loss ratio.

In his professional career, the first boxer and the only Filipino to beat Pacquiao was Rustico Torrecampo. Pacquiao lost the bout in the third round via knockout. Aside from being forced to wear heavier gloves, thereby putting him at a disadvantage, it can be said that Manny lost the fight because Torrecampo studied his moves and prepared for their fight well. Manny has grown smarter and more strategic in his fights since then.

At age 36, 20 years after embarking on his pro boxing career, Manny continues to be among the biggest names in boxing while also managing his time between his family and the other fields he has begun to dabble in.

Pacman owes his wins to his strengths, the top one being speed. Other traits that contribute to his outstanding fighting skills are his conditioning, explosiveness, balance, and footwork. He never lays back despite being a world boxing champion, always dedicating a good part of his time in training whenever he has fights coming up. Even as a southpaw, the Filipino slugger proves his worth in the sport by exhibiting power in both hands.

The Filipino boxer has won eight major world titles: the WBC Flyweight, the IBF Super Bantamweight, the WBC Super Featherweight, the IBF Featherweight, the WBC Lightweight, the IBO Light Welterweight, the WBO Welterweight and the WBC Light Middleweight belts. His last loss came in 2012 when he relinquished the WBO Welterweight title to Timothy Bradley.

Among Manny Pacquiao’s fights, his most memorable wins include an 11^th round TKO against Marco Antonio Barrera, his four fights with the Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, his rematch with Timothy Bradley, two rematches won by knocking out Erik Morales after an initial loss, an RTD against Oscar de la Hoya, knocking out Ricky Hatton in less than 2 rounds, a 12^th round knock-out win over Miguel Cotto, and a win via unanimous decision against the tough Mexican Antonio Margarito.

Pacquiao has fought 407 total rounds, and it could be easily observed that he fought and won against numerous Mexican nationals, earning him the nickname “The Mexicutioner.” Mexicans have developed a friendly rivalry with the Filipinos because of this, and many other professional Filipino boxers have gone on to face Mexicans in the ring.

After Manny Pacquiao’s TKO lost to Juan Manuel Marquez in their fought match, The National Fist comes back with dominant Unanimous Decision wins agains Brandon Rios, Timothy Bradley,  and the recent fight in Macau against the previously undefeated Chris Algieri, Manny Pacquiao knocks down Algieri six times in this fight, Chris was no match with Pacman’s speed, stamina, volume punching and most of all his years of experience in the boxing ring as a  pound for pound champion.

Other nicknames attributed to the boxer include The Destroyer, The Fighting Congressman, The Fighting Pride of the Philippines – all names that can be justified by looking at Manny Pacquiao’s undeniably impressive fight statistics.