With the legalization of boxing in the Philippines in 1921, the sport has flourished and has gained much popularity in the country with the emergence of world champions in the likes of Pancho Villa, Flash Elorde, Luisito Espinosa, Gerry Peňalosa, and of course Manny Pacquiao.
However, Manny Pacquiao has become the most popular boxing champion in the country even in the world today. With the retirement of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao is elevated as the best pound for pound boxer in the world today. Commencing this feat is Manny's triumph in the championship match against David Diaz on June 28, 2008 in Las Vegas. Manny's win via TKO in the ninth round made the win more than convincing for the Filipino pugilist.
With this win, Manny has become a four-time world boxing champion in four different divisions. He is a former WBC Flyweight Champion, IBF Super bantamweight, WBC Super featherweight, and now a WBC Lightweight champion. A feat only the likes of Thomas Hearns, Ray Charles Leonard, Roberto Durán, Pernell Whitaker, Oscar De La Hoya, Leo Gamez, Roy Jones Jr., and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. have achieved.
Pacquiao's professional boxing career started when he was 16. His fights were aired over Vintage Sports. His big break came when he stepped into a fight against Ledwaba as a late replacement in June 2001. Nevertheless, he won the fight by a technical knockout. This opened doors for him to bigger matches against Barrera, Morales, and Marquez. Three of the most respected and dreaded boxers of his time. His win against Marquez made him a three- time champion. His triumph over Diaz justified his title as the world's best pound for pound boxer.
Truly, Manny Pacquiao is the best Filipino boxer who has ever graced the boxing ring. He has surpassed the achievements of Flash Elorde or any other Filipino in the boxing world. The elusive feat of being a quadruple champion gave in to his exceptional boxing skills and speed. No one can question it.
