The Pacquiao Files: Pacquiao vs Barrios
Throughout Manny Pacquiao’s decades-long and glittering boxing career, the Filipino legend has delivered countless classics and against a slew of the sport’s greats, elevating him to rarefied air.
Here’s a quick trip down memory lane from Pacquiao’s path to boxing stardom and rise to legendary status.
The come-up: Pacquiao vs Ledwaba
Manny Pacquiao and Lehlo Ledwaba. PACQUIAO TWITTER
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach said it best: “You’ll never know when the next Muhammad Ali is going to walk through your door.”
“You’ll never know, and then one day, this little Filipino kid at 122 pounds, comes up to me, barely could speak English.”
READ: Pacquiao honors ‘true champion’ Ledwaba
That moment came in June 2001, when Pacquiao, then sporting a mid-part hairdo with unmistakable blonde streaks, introduced himself on US soil under the bright lights of boxing hotbed Las Vegas.
With Roach in his corner for the first time, Pacquiao was a replacement on two weeks notice against the late South African champion Lehlo Ledwaba.
Pacquiao came in unknown and left the MGM Grand Arena with a lasting impression following a bloody six-round demolition of Ledwaba to claim the IBF super bantamweight title.
Grand arrival: Pacquiao vs Barrera
Manny Pacquiao (R) hits Marco Antonio Barrera during the eighth round of their 12-round super featherweight bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center October 6, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Pacquiao had faced world champions earlier in his career, but none at the caliber of Marco Antonio Barrera.
Regardless, Pacquiao aced his first real test against a big-name opponent by outclassing Barrera at Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas in November 2003.
READ: Pacquiao ‘best of the best,’ says Barrera
Pacquiao’s resounding 11th-round stoppage of Barrera was the first of many against Mexican greats that earned him the infamous “Mexicutioner” moniker. It also put the boxing world on notice that the next big thing has arrived.
Pacquiao went on to beat Barrera again in a rematch four years later, earning a unanimous decision win.
Superstardom: Pacquiao vs De La Hoya
Oscar De La Hoya connects with a left to the head of Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines during their welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena December 6, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images/AFP
A five-division world champion with scintillating victories over Mexican rivals Barrera, Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao had already established himself as one of boxing’s certified stars by 2008.
His spellbinding display of dominance against Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008 catapulted him to greater heights and made him the undisputed No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
READ: Pacquiao: De La Hoya fight is my greatest victory
Just six months after crushing David Diaz to win the WBC lightweight strap, Pacquiao moved up again and debuted at welterweight against De La Hoya in a showdown dubbed “The Dream Match.”
It was far from being one for De La Hoya, who was forced to quit on his stool after just eight rounds before announcing his retirement from boxing four months later.
GOAT status: Pacquiao vs Margarito
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (R) and Antonio Margarito of Mexico in action in their WBC World Super Welterweight title fight, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on November 13, 2010. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo by ROBYN BECK / AFP)
Pacquiao made his pro debut in 1995 at 112 pounds.
At the peak of his powers, he conquered one division after another that saw him climb up to light middleweight against a heavy-hitting Antonio Margarito in November 2010 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
READ: Bigger Margarito better for Pacquiao, says Roach
There were a lot of concerns surrounding Pacquiao ahead of the modern day David and Goliath duel.
Can he still pack a punch and hurt a much bigger fighter? Will he still have that same speed? What happens if Margarito catches him?
All the questions were unwarranted, but as it turned out, it was Margarito had no answers for Pacquiao, who delivered a 12-round tour de force.
Pacquiao won a one-sided decision to clinch the vacant WBC crown.
It was his eighth world title in as many divisions–a record that may never be broken.
Still going: Pacquiao vs Thurman
Manny Pacquiao (R) throws a right at Keith Thurman in the sixth round of their WBA welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao won in a split decision. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
Keith Thurman had been trash-talking in the weeks leading up to their July 2019 bout.
In true Pacquiao fashion, he let his fists do the talking.
READ: Manny Pacquiao cops WBA super welterweight crown
Fighting a younger and undefeated champion who’s in his athletic prime, Pacquiao quickly made his intentions clear with a first-round knockdown.
It was an early statement that, even at 40 years old and a ton of mileage, Pacquiao was still a force in the welterweight division.
Pacquiao eked out a split decision win to claim the WBA (Super) belt.
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Honorable mentions:
The brutal second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton in May 2009
Masterclass against Miguel Cotto in November 2009
