THROWBACK: Manny Pacquiao Won his First World Title 22 Years Ago Today
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 20: Manny Pacquiao blows a kiss to the crowd as he celebrates his split-decision victory over Keith Thurman in their WBA welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The former eight-division champion, Manny Pacquiao, stands as one of the most loved figures in boxing. He will go down as one of the greatest in the sport. The Philippine boxer has garnered the respect of boxing fans around the world. Additionally, the senator continues to compete inside the boxing ring even at 41.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 09: Manny Pacquiao celebrates after defeating Timothy Bradley Jr. by unanimous decision in their welterweight championship fight on April 9, 2016 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
He is also the oldest welterweight champion in the division’s history. His most recent title win coming against then-undefeated Keith Thurman last year.
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Twenty-two years ago today, @MannyPacquiao knocked out Chatchai Sasakul at 112 pounds to win his first world championship.
His most recent world title victory, in 2019, came at 147 pounds 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1GZ4yzUdPR
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) December 4, 2020
It was today that a young Manny Pacquiao picked up his first gold at the 112 pounds division in what started a journey like no other. Pacquiao has scaled the heights of boxing and remains at the very top of the game even today. It was in 1998 that he lifted gold for the first time. Now, after more than two decades, Pacquiao reigns as the champion at the 147-pound division.
Manny Pacquiao won his first world title on this day in 1998. He is the only fighter in the entire history of boxing to reign as champion in four separate decades… pic.twitter.com/4k8B1UGrEa
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) December 4, 2020
The legend of Manny Pacquiao
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During his prime, Pac Man was considered even better than Floyd Mayweather and won the fighter of the decade in 2010. Manny Pacquiao holds several records to his name. He is the only boxer who is recognized as a four-time welterweight champion. Furthermore, he has competed in over 71 professional outs and has only tasted defeat on just seven occasions.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 19: Manny Pacquiao in the ring during the WBA welterweight championship against Adrien Broner at MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 19, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
However, these losses have come against credible opponents and former world champions. Pacquiao is expected to be back inside the boxing ring in 2021 in a potential match-up against either Terence Crawford or the winner of Errol Spence Jr. vs Danny Garcia.
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Additionally, he has expressed his interest in facing former dual champion Conor McGregor after the “Notorious” called out the legend for a scrap inside the boxing ring. It’s safe to say that after nearly a quarter of a century in the sport, Pacquiao’s hunger has not diminished.
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