Manny Pacquiao vs. Lehlohonolo Ledwaba: June 23, 2001
The fight is important mainly for being Pacquiao’s debut on American soil. The fight was also the first time Pacquiao appeared on HBO and his first fight under the legendary Freddy Roach.
Despite accepting the fight with only two weeks to prepare, Pacquiao destroyed the defending champion. The officials stopped the fight in the sixth round and Pacquiao took home the technical knockout.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera: November 15, 2003
Fighting the legendary Mexican boxer was a huge step in Pacquiao’s career, it also showed he could adapt to different techniques, rather than entirely relying on his speed and power.
Pacquiao got off to a bad start and was knocked down in the first round, but he came back with a vengeance and dominated his heavier, more experienced opponent, knocking him out in the 11th round.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales II: June 22, 2006
In his first fight against Morales, Pacquiao was not prepared and Morales took advantage to win by a decision. In the rematch, Pacquiao came prepared and was able to knock down the Mexican legend twice in the 10th round before officials finally stopped the fight.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez II: March 3, 2008
In his second fight with the Mexican boxer, Pacquiao was able to adapt better and create some versatility in his attack. The technique as enough to get a couple knockdowns of Marquez, enough to win a split decision although many critics still believe the fight should have gone to Marquez.
Manny Pacquiao vs. David Diaz: June 28, 2008
Against Diaz, Pacquiao became the first Asian boxer to win in five divisions after defeating Diaz in the lightweight division. Despite going up in size, Pacquiao dominated the American fighter, knocking him out in nine rounds. Diaz admitted after the fight that he could not deal with Pacquiao’s speed.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar de la Hoya: December 6, 2008
Deemed the “Dream Match” in the run up to the fight, Pacquiao went up yet another division to face Oscar de la Hoya. De la Hoya also had to go down a division to fight in the welter division. The American fighter, affected much more by the change in weight, was dominated by the Filipino and the fight was ended before the beginning of the eighth round. The loss was so devastating for De la Hoya that he retired after the fight.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton: May 2, 2009
The the fight against Hatton began the criticisms that Pacquiao was not facing fighters in their prime. Pacquiao dominated Hatton in the light welterweight division to become the second boxer, along with de la Hoya, to win a title in six different divisions. Hatton was the second consecutive boxer that Pacquiao retired; it was Hatton’s last fight due to his drug addiction problems.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto: November 14, 2009
Pacquiao hushed some of the critics when he faced hard hitter Miguel Cotto. The Puerto Rican boxer looked like he could create problems for Pacquiao, but after the second round Pacquiao dominated Cotto. The damage was so severe that Cotto’s wife left the arena before the fight ended. The fight was finally stopped in the 12th round to give Pacquiao a technical knockout.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey: March 13, 2010
The fight with Clottey comes about after a failed Floyd Mayweather Jr. negotiation, so Clottey is chosen at the last minute. Although not at his peak, Clottey and his power punches were enough to stave off a knockout but not to win. Pacquiao took the win in a unanimous decision.
Many Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito: November 13, 2010
The Margarito fight also comes about after a failed Mayweather fight, something that begins to define Pacquiao’s career. The Mexican had nothing against Pacquiao, but again the Filipino boxer failed to get a knockout against a largely inferior opponent.
In addition to Pacquiao’s top fights, check out the top 10 moments of Pacquiao’s career.
