The Story Of Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao, sometimes known simply as "Pac Man," began his career in 1995, at age 16. He won his first couple of fights, before bumping into Rustico Torrecampo, who scored a third-round KO over Pacquiao.

Pacquiao went forward with his career, before fighting Chokchai Chockvivat for the OPBF flyweight title. A few fights later in December of 1998, Pacquiao fought WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul. The bout was very even, the champion being elusive and a good counter puncher. Pacquiao won by KO in round eight, after which Sasakul did not get up for a few minutes.

Pacquiao's next noteworthy assignment came when he fought Lehlohonolo Ledwaba for the IBF 122 lb title. Pacquiao came as a late sub on a few weeks notice and dominated the fight, knocking out the champ in six rounds.

Pacquiao made a string of IBF title defenses before moving up in weight and fighting Marco Antonio Barrera. Pacquiao boxed well and his southpaw style seemed to be troubling Barrera. Pacquiao knocked down Barrera three times in this fight.

Next Pacquiao fought Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez was down three times in the first round. However, Marquez did come back to win many of the latter rounds and secure a draw.

''Pacquiao was then signed for a match with Erik Morales, at 130 pounds after a rematch with Marquez never materialized, because of Marquez demanding far too much money. In a candidate for Fight of the Year, Morales won a slim decision against Pacquiao, winning on all three judges scorecards by scores of 115-113."... (Box Rec.com)

The Story of Manny Pacquiao begins in General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines. He was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines on Dec. 17, 1978. I can't begin telling the story of Manny without examining the hard life of Manny Pacquiao. He was born into devastating poverty and was forced to work at a very young age after his father left the family for another woman.

He worked in the streets of General Santos selling bread and other bakery goods. Those same streets helped in the devolopment of the tough and relentless individual we see in the ring today. He is also known by his nickname Pacman. He began fighting in the streets; just to earn money to survive. But Manny's mother however was not a fan of boxing, She is a religious, and against boxing, She does not want to see Manny in the ring punched by someone and get hurt, She wanted Manny to be a holy priest instead. She visioned her son as Father Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao; an aspiring clergyman to be.

Later on, he trained in Manila, and it was not easy, He trained for hours and had to work just as hard to earn a living. He worked as a construction worker. Despite his sidelines, the young Pacquiao trained like there's no tomorrow; comparing to the work ethic of his fellow prize fighter, each day he would train the earliest and stop when all were gone resting.

No wonder and as expected, he raked eleven straight wins before collecting his first professional loss to Rustico Torrecampo on February 9, 1996.

Torrecampo was the only fellow Filipino to have defeated him. (That one will be good for a trivia question...?)

Today, The former construction boy cannot walk even the most remote street in the Philippines, even outside of the country, without getting mobbed by the adoring fans. He is too famous to the extent that the people around him, also become famous. Like his trainer coach, Freddie Roach,

Anyway, Manny Pacquiao is in the top 20 richest of the world, if im not mistaken. And he is also the newly elected Congressman of his Philippine province.

''Pacquiao is extraordinarily popular in the Philippines, where he is currently the most adored athlete in his country. Pacquiao has branched into acting in Filipino movies and various business ventures as well, including a number of commercial endorsements, seen almost everyday on local TV. Pacquiao carried his country's flag at the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic games.''

Alongside his other achievements as a world iconic boxer and congressman. Only the ordination of priesthood would make him the most revered saint after his death in Philippine history.

 

Source : articlesbase.com