Manny Pacquiao Timeline

(1990 – Present)

Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino professional boxer and politician widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time. Known for his speed, power, and aggressive style, he is the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, and he later pursued a political career in the Philippines, serving as a senator. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and Rise

Born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines

Dec 17, 1978

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao is born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, into extreme poverty. He would later leave home as a teenager, famously sleeping on the streets of Manila while pursuing boxing to help support his family.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao

Wins gold at Philippine national amateur championships

1995

As an amateur, Pacquiao wins the gold medal at the Philippine National Amateur Boxing Championship, drawing attention to his talent and setting the stage for his professional career.

Turns professional with win over Edmund Ignacio

Jan 22, 1995

Pacquiao makes his professional debut at age 16, defeating Edmund Ignacio by decision. He weighs just 106 pounds and begins building a reputation for speed and power despite his small frame.

Knocks out Chokchai Chockvivat

Feb 9, 1996

Pacquiao scores a second-round knockout of Thai fighter Chokchai Chockvivat, one of several early wins over experienced opposition that build his growing regional reputation.

Image source: Boxing career of Manny Pacquiao

Suffers first professional loss to Rustico Torrecampo

Mar 24, 1996

Pacquiao is knocked down and stopped in the third round by fellow Filipino Rustico Torrecampo after struggling to make weight, marking the first defeat of his professional career.

Defeats Gabriel Mira

Sep 27, 1997

Pacquiao stops Mexican Gabriel Mira in four rounds in Cebu City, continuing his climb up the flyweight rankings with an aggressive, crowd-pleasing style.

Loses to Medgoen Singsurat by knockout

Sep 17, 1999

Struggling badly with the flyweight limit, Pacquiao loses by third-round technical knockout to Thailand's Medgoen Singsurat in Nakhon Sawan, prompting him to move up in weight.

World Titles and Major Fights

Captures WBC super bantamweight title from Ledwaba

Jun 23, 2001

Taking the fight on short notice, Pacquiao destroys South African champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in six rounds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to win the IBF super bantamweight title, his first world championship.

Knocks out Jorge Eliecer Julio

Nov 10, 2002

Pacquiao retains his super bantamweight belt by stopping Colombian Jorge Eliecer Julio in two rounds in Memphis, Tennessee, showcasing the power that made him a rising star.

Stops Emmanuel Lucero

Jul 26, 2003

In his final fight at super bantamweight, Pacquiao knocks out Mexico's Emmanuel Lucero in three rounds before moving up to featherweight, where his career-defining moments await.

Destroys Jorge Solis in eight rounds

Apr 14, 2007

Fighting in San Antonio, Pacquiao stops undefeated Mexican Jorge Solis in eight rounds, using the bout as a showcase during his run toward superstardom.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Jorge Solís

Wins WBC lightweight title against David Diaz

Jun 28, 2008

Pacquiao dismantles champion David Diaz in nine rounds in Las Vegas to capture the WBC lightweight crown, becoming a multi-division champion and positioning himself for the biggest fight of his life.

Stuns Oscar De La Hoya in Dream Match

Dec 6, 2008

Moving up two divisions, Pacquiao gives a masterclass against Oscar De La Hoya at the MGM Grand, forcing the Golden Boy to quit on his stool after eight rounds in front of a record-setting pay-per-view audience.

Image source: Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao

Knocks out Ricky Hatton in two rounds

May 2, 2009

At the MGM Grand, Pacquiao delivers one of the most devastating knockouts of the era, flattening Britain's Ricky Hatton in the second round to claim the Ring magazine light welterweight title.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton

Wins seventh division title by beating Miguel Cotto

Nov 14, 2009

Pacquiao stops Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto in twelve rounds at the MGM Grand to capture the welterweight title, becoming the first boxer ever to win world titles in seven weight classes.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto

Outclasses Joshua Clottey in Dallas Cowboys Stadium

Mar 13, 2010

Fighting before more than 36,000 fans at the new Cowboys Stadium in Texas, Pacquiao dominates Ghana's Joshua Clottey over twelve rounds in the venue's inaugural boxing event.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey

Defeats Antonio Margarito for eighth division title

Nov 13, 2010

Giving away significant size and height, Pacquiao brutalizes Antonio Margarito over twelve rounds at Cowboys Stadium to win the vacant WBC super welterweight title, his record eighth divisional world championship.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito

Defeats Antonio Margarito for eighth division title

Dominates Shane Mosley in twelve rounds

May 7, 2011

Pacquiao drops former champion Shane Mosley once and cruises to a unanimous decision at the MGM Grand, retaining his WBO welterweight title against the veteran American.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley

Bounces back with dominant win over Brandon Rios

Nov 24, 2013

Fighting in Macau, China, for the first time, Pacquiao shuts out Brandon Rios over twelve rounds, rebounding from the Marquez knockout with a spirited performance dedicated to typhoon victims back home.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Ríos

Avenges loss to Timothy Bradley in rematch

Apr 12, 2014

Two years after losing a widely disputed split decision, Pacquiao convincingly beats Timothy Bradley by unanimous decision in Las Vegas to reclaim the WBO welterweight championship.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley II

Drops decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Fight of the Century

May 2, 2015

After years of anticipation, boxing's richest fight finally happens. Mayweather uses his defense to win a unanimous decision at the MGM Grand before a global audience, though Pacquiao fights on despite a shoulder injury.

Image source: Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao

Beats Keith Thurman to become oldest welterweight champion

Jul 20, 2019

At age 40, Pacquiao drops unbeaten Keith Thurman early and wins a split decision in Las Vegas, unifying welterweight belts and becoming the oldest man to win a major welterweight title.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Keith Thurman

Beats Keith Thurman to become oldest welterweight champion

Rivalries

Shocks Marco Antonio Barrera with TKO victory

Nov 15, 2003

In a career-making performance at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Pacquiao dominates Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera, forcing an eleventh-round stoppage and announcing himself as boxing's next superstar.

Image source: Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Manny Pacquiao

Draws with Juan Manuel Marquez in their first fight

May 8, 2004

Pacquiao drops Marquez three times in the opening round but fades late, settling for a split draw in Las Vegas. The controversial result launches one of boxing's great rivalries spanning multiple fights and years.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Márquez IV

Defeated by Erik Morales in first meeting

Mar 19, 2005

Mexican icon Erik Morales edges Pacquiao by unanimous decision in Las Vegas, handing him a narrow loss that fuels one of the most celebrated trilogies between Filipino and Mexican fighters.

Image source: Erik Morales vs. Manny Pacquiao

Defeated by Erik Morales in first meeting

Avenges loss with TKO of Erik Morales

Jan 21, 2006

Pacquiao gains revenge against Morales, stopping him in ten rounds at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, proving his growth as a fighter and reasserting his place among the elite.

Image source: Erik Morales vs. Manny Pacquiao II

Completes trilogy with third TKO of Morales

Nov 18, 2006

Pacquiao knocks Morales down three times en route to a third-round stoppage in Las Vegas, winning the trilogy decisively and cementing his status as the Philippines' greatest sporting hero.

Defeats Barrera again by unanimous decision

Oct 6, 2007

Four years after their first clash, Pacquiao comfortably outpoints Barrera over twelve rounds in Las Vegas, sweeping the rivalry between the two future Hall of Famers.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera II

Defeats Barrera again by unanimous decision

Decisively defeats Marquez in their third fight

Nov 12, 2011

After seven years, Pacquiao meets Marquez again and wins a contentious majority decision in Las Vegas. Many fans and pundits felt Marquez deserved the nod, keeping the rivalry burning hot.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Márquez III

Knocked out cold by Marquez in fourth encounter

Dec 8, 2012

One of boxing's most shocking moments: Marquez lands a thunderous counter right hand at the end of round six in Las Vegas, knocking Pacquiao unconscious and avenging their rivalry in stunning fashion.

Later Career and Politics

Announces retirement after beating Timothy Bradley

Apr 9, 2016

Pacquiao wins the rubber match against Bradley by unanimous decision in Las Vegas and announces his retirement from boxing to focus full-time on his political career in the Philippines.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley

Elected Senator of the Philippines

May 9, 2016 - Jun 30, 2022

Having earlier served as a congressman representing Sarangani, Pacquiao wins election to the Philippine Senate, finishing among the top vote-getters and serving a six-year term focused on sports development and anti-poverty measures.

Returns from brief retirement to fight Jessie Vargas

Nov 5, 2016

Just months after retiring, Pacquiao returns to win the WBO welterweight title by unanimous decision against Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas, balancing his boxing comeback with his Senate duties.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas

Defeats Adrien Broner in return to Las Vegas

Jan 19, 2019

Pacquiao thoroughly outboxes former champion Adrien Broner over twelve rounds at the MGM Grand, defending his welterweight title and showing he remained elite well into his forties approaching.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao vs. Adrien Broner

Defeats Adrien Broner in return to Las Vegas

Runs for President of the Philippines

Sep 19, 2021

Pacquiao formally announces his candidacy for president of the Philippines, accepting his party's nomination ahead of the May 2022 election, in which he ultimately finishes a distant third behind Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Image source: Manny Pacquiao 2022 presidential campaign

Key Facts

Manny Pacquiao was born on December 17, 1978, in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines, and grew up in extreme poverty before turning to boxing as a teenager.
He turned professional at age 16 in 1995 and won his first major world title (the WBC flyweight championship) in 1998.
Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to win world championships in eight different weight classes, from flyweight to super welterweight.
His rivalry with Juan Manuel Márquez produced four iconic fights between 2004 and 2012, while his bouts with Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. generated hundreds of millions of dollars in pay-per-view revenue.
Beyond boxing, Pacquiao entered politics, serving as a congressman (2010–2016) and senator (2016–2022) in the Philippines, and even announced presidential ambitions.

Source

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