Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao is defined by a unique and relentless approach developed under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym.

Key Attributes:

• Speed and Volume: Pacquiao’s defining characteristics are his blazing hand speed and incredible punch volume. He often overwhelmed opponents with five- and six-punch combinations, sometimes throwing over 100 punches per round in a 12-round fight.

• Angle and Footwork: As a Southpaw, his footwork is crucial. He mastered using angles, swiftly entering range to unload combinations, and quickly exiting before his opponent could counter. This often allowed him to land his devastating left cross or the powerful right hook

• Two-Fisted Attack: Early in his career, he was primarily known for his left hand. Under Roach, he developed into a true two-handed fighter, making him much less predictable and far more dangerous across the middleweight divisions.

• Unending Stamina: His ability to maintain a high-volume offense for 12 rounds is legendary, a result of his famously brutal conditioning regimen, which includes intense roadwork (running hills) and non-stop sparring.

Historical Achievements

Pacquiao’s legacy rests on two major, likely unbreakable records:

1. Eight-Division World Champion: He is the only boxer in history to win major world titles in eight different weight divisions, from Flyweight (112 lbs) to Light Middleweight (154 lbs).

2. Four-Decade Champion: He is the only boxer to hold a world championship across four decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s).

Notable Career Victories:

• Oscar De La Hoya (2008): A defining fight where Pacquiao moved up two divisions and dominated the much larger De La Hoya, forcing a retirement after the 8th round and establishing himself as boxing’s biggest star.

• Ricky Hatton (2009): A spectacular, terrifying knockout in the second round, widely considered the most explosive finish of Pacquiao’s prime.

• Keith Thurman (2019): An incredible performance at age 40, defeating the undefeated WBA Welterweight Champion via split decision to become the oldest welterweight champion in history.

Current Status and Recent Activity

• Retirement: Pacquiao formally announced his retirement from professional boxing in September 2021 after a loss to Yordenis Ugás.

• Exhibition Bouts: He has returned for exhibition matches, which are not counted on his professional record. He fought DK Yoo in 2022 and had a recent exhibition match against Mario Barrios in July 2025 that was controversially ruled a draw.

• Future Speculation: Despite his age, there is continuous speculation and negotiation for potential future exhibition or novelty bouts, including a highly anticipated rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2026.

• Hall of Fame: He will be formally inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the class of 2025.