by Ron Robbins

Created on: October 09, 2008

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, was born December 17th, 1978 in a small 4th class muncipality called Kibawe in the province of Bukidnon, Phillipines. Better known to the sports world as Manny "Pacman" Pacquaio (a 4 time world champion), the Fillipino sensation who made his start as a Baker, has steadily risen to become perhaps the most explosive, exciting, and dangerous competitor to grace the sport of boxing in recent years.

With the retirement of widely regarded #1 pound for pound boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr, there's no huge argument that Pacquaio has replaced him at the top of the sport. Pacquiao's relentless move-forward style, trademark speed and agility, explosive combination punching, and raw physical output define his ring personna with an intense ferocious tactical beauty that any boxing fan can appreciate.

Pacquiao began his foray into professional boxing in 1995 at the early age of 16. Fighting at 106 pounds, many of his early fights took place in small venues and were broadcast on Vintage Sports' Blow by Blow, a boxing show hosted by John Ray Betita. In his first bout, Pacquaio pulled out a 4 round decision victory against Edmund Ignacio (January 22, 1995), quickly becoming one of the star athletes of the show.

Remaining undefeated until his 12th bout, Pacquiao rose in weight to 113 pounds and was said by well-known sportscaster Joaquin "Quinito" Henson to have not made weight, being forced into a disadvantage by having to use heavier gloves than his opponent Rustico Torrecampo. Pacquiao fell to Torrecampo in a third round technical knockout, giving him his first defeat in 13 fights.

Unrelenting, and unwilling to succumb, Pacquiao immediately responded with a streak of 15 more wins, 13 ending with a knockout or TKO. His next big test would come defending his WBC Flyweight championship belt against undefeated 18-0 Medgoen Singsurat (3-K Battery) at Pakpanag Metropolian Stadium, Thailand. Once again Manny would fail to make weight and fall short, losing his title at the scales, and succumbing to a body shot by Singsurat in the third round.

Since then, the Pacman has been unrelenting, losing only once by decision to Mexican legend Erik Morales, whom he turned the tables and knocked out twice during rematches. With wins over Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Jorge Solis, Oscar Larios, and countless other impressive victories, Manny Pacquiao (47-3-2 with 35 knockouts) is fast on his way to being the top draw in the sport.

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