Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao is the present WBC International Featherweight champion. Born Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao on December 17, 1978, “PacMan” or “The Destroyer” is one of the most exciting boxers of his time. He was born to a poor family in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines though he spent most of his life in General Santos City, Philippines, where he showed interest in boxing during his pre-teen years.

In 1995, at 105 lbs., PacMan began his professional career. His first title came when he snatched the WBC Flyweight title from Chatchai Sasakul, after beating him in the 8th round. His victory was not, however, long-lived when he was knocked down by Medgoen “Medgoen 3K Battery” Singsurat during the 3rd round in Thailand.

Pacquiao, after his loss, shifted to another weight division – the super bantam weight division. This time, with 122 lbs., Pacquiao won as the WBC International Super Bantamweight title. He was able to defend it for 5 consecutive times.

In 2001, Pacquiao had the fight that gave him his first international spotlight in MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada. He was pitted against defending IBF Super Bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and won. PacMan defended his title four times until he decided to move one division up.

From then on, Pacquiao fought against more aggressive boxers, most of whom were Mexicans. That’s why he was given the alias “The Mexican Killer” for winning all bouts with Mexicans except one.

His first match in the featherweight division was against Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrerra in Texas. Barrera was knocked down during the 11th round by the left-handed Filipino boxer. Barely 6 months thereafter, Pacquiao dared another Mexican boxing idol and WBA & IBF Featherweight champion, Juan Manuel Marquez. The fight in MGM Grand, Las Vegas was marred with controversy when it resulted to a draw decision. Thereafter, Pacquiao defeated Thailander Fahsan “2K-Gas Battery” Por Thawatchai via a KO.

Pacquiao gained weight anew to qualify for the super featherweight division. In March 2005, he faced the three-time division champion Mexican boxer, Erik Morales, yet he lost. Later that September, he got even from his loss by beating another Mexican fighter, Hector Velasquez in California, claiming the WBC International Super Featherweight title.

In 2006, Pacquiao began the year by meeting heads-on with Erik Morales in Las Vegas for the much-awaited rematch in January. PacMan went home victorious that day. 6 months after, in July, Pacquiao faced two-time super bantamweight champion of the world, Oscar Larios, who is also another Mexican fighter. He knocked down Larios for the WBC International Super Featherweight title in the Philippines.

On April 2007, Pacquiao knocked down another Mexican, Jorge Solis. He also won by a wide unanimous decision his second rematch with Barrera.

Throughout his entire professional career, Pacquiao had a total of 50 fights. Of these, he won 45 times, 35 of which are wins by KO. He has a record of 3 losses and 2 draws. At present, he is believed critics to be one of the top interesting boxers in the world and in the pound-for-pound category, he is World No. 2 next to Floyd Mayweather.