Las Vegas, NV: Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) has done the impossible. “Pac Man”once again won a legitimate world title. Only this time after beating previously undefeated Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs), his newly acquired WBA Welterweight World Championship means he has also done something unprecedented. This unstoppable legend who just keeps shocking the world is now in a category all his own. Pacquiao now becomes the only fighter in boxing history to hold world titles in his teens and his 40s. A 24-year professional boxing veteran, “Pac Man” won his first world championship at the hands of Chatchai Sasakul (63-4-1, 38 KOs) back on December 4, 1998. This belt was an early birthday gift, as Pacquiao turned 20 years old just two weeks later. Flash forward nearly 21 years, and the ageless fighter has once again raised his hand in victory, as yet another world title belt was strapped around his waist.
A unification bout in Pacquiao’s weight division between WBC Welterweight Champion Shawn Porter (30-2, 17 KOs) and IBF Welterweight Champion Errol Spence, Jr. (25-0, 21 KOs) has recently been announced. Undefeated WBO Welterweight Champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (35-0, 26 KOs) and former 2-division champion Danny Garcia (35-2, 21 KOs) are also looming about. It looks as if there are some potentially amazing fights to be made in the division, and Manny is right smack dab in the middle of it all.
Born in Kibawe, Bukidnon in the Philippines, boxing’s only 8-division champion is a military veteran, having achieved the rank of Colonel in the Philippine Army. Pacquiao has been a member of The Philippines’ Congress since 2010 and is currently a sitting senator, as he was elected to this role by the citizens back in 2016. Married to Jinkee Jamora in 2000, Manny is a father of five children.
All in all, like him or not, Manny Pacquiao is a living legend in the sport of boxing and an amazing humanitarian all around the world. The fact that he is still an active boxer winning legitimate world titles is just icing on the cake. How much longer he will grace us with his presence in the ring is unknown. However, while he’s still around, doing his thing in the squared circle, this reporter feels that even the lay boxing fan should stop and pay attention. One needs to realize how iconic this man really is in the sport and how there most likely will never be another fighter who will be able to accomplish so much in and out of the ring.
-Mike Feinberg
TFN Reporter
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