Manny Pacquiao: The highs and lows from an incredible 72-fight career

Highs and lows of Pacman’s incredible 26-year career: Manny Pacquiao defied time by beating Keith Thurman, won world titles in EIGHT divisions and sent the great Oscar De La Hoya into retirement… but lost his biggest ever fight against Floyd Mayweather

• Manny Pacquiao has officially announced his retirement from boxing  
• He finished his 26-year career with 62 wins, eight losses and two draws 
• Pacquiao won world titles in eight weight classes during his career in the ring 
• Sportsmail analyses the legend’s high and low moments of his illustrious career

Manny Pacquiao has finally called time on his truly astonishing 72-fight career, announcing his retirement while revealing he will run for president of the Philippines next year. 

The 42-year-old goes down as one of the sport’s greatest-ever as he hangs up his gloves, having been the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight weight classes, while no other fighter has matched his remarkable feat of holding championship belts across four decades. 

‘Pac Man’, who finishes his career with 62 wins, eight losses and two draws, announced his decision in a 14-minute video posted on his Facebook page, having fallen to a unanimous decision defeat to WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas in August.     

Despite a disappointing final outing, Pacquiao will remain etched in history forevermore, with the always-game fighter taking on all challengers and being involved in some of the most dramatic fights of all time. 

Included in his extensive list of opponents are the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. 

And with a number of enthralling fights to his name, both wins and losses, Sportsmail takes a look at some of the highs and lows across his 26-year career. 

Manny Pacquiao has announced his retirement from boxing in a video on Facebook 

He suffered defeat to Yordenis Ugas last month and had been hinting he could soon call it a day

Fights:  72

Won: 62 

Drawn: 8

Lost: 2

Won by KO: 39 

World titles won: 12 

Career length: 26 years 

We’ll start with the highs. Pacquiao’s rise to the top is nothing short of sensational, having been born into poverty in Kibawe, the southern province of Bukidnon.

One of six siblings, Pacquiao dropped out of school aged 10, finding boxing two years later – where he fought in the streets with the prize of 100 pesos, or £1.46, for a win. 

He left for Manila as a teenager and eventually made his professional debut at 16, competing as a junior flyweight in 1995. 

And by 1998, Pacquiao had won his first world title. Aged 19, he defeated Chatchai Sasakul to claim the WBC flyweight crown. 

Pacquiao was not then the established  fighter we’ve become accustomed to in more recent years,  having progressed significantly after joining forces with trainer Freddie Roach. 

Coming in with a 23-1 record, having previously been knocked out by Rustico Torrecampo, Pacquiao was the underdog against a 28-year-old Sasakul.  

But Pacquiao was not to be stopped. With just three years of professional experience in the bank, the 19-year-old got the knockout win in the eighth round, kickstarting what has turned out to be a truly phenomenal career. 

Pacquiao overcomes Erik Morales in a stunning trilogy

Pacquiao was involved in one of boxing’s legendary trilogies, as he came up against Mexican warrior Erik Morales on three occasions in less than two years. 

The pair first squared off for the super featherweight world title in March 2005, where Morales deservedly claimed 12-round unanimous decision victory in a close encounter. 

But as we’ve seen on numerous occasions through his career, Pacquiao was not to be deterred, as he defeated his opponent in the following two bouts, both by knockout. 

In the eagerly-anticipated rematch, Pacquiao dazzled the Las Vegas crowd with his relentless pressure and jaw-dropping speed, as he sent Morales crashing to the canvas in the 10th round. 

Pacquiao destroyed Erik Morales in the third round of their eagerly-anticipated trilogy bout

Though the Mexican beat the count, referee Kenny Bayless swiftly called a halt to the contest after a second knockdown, with Pacquiao claiming an historic win.

Morales, who suffered his first-ever stoppage defeat with the loss, insisted his struggles to make weight were to blame.  

‘I was tired because of making weight and I was tired because of all the tough fights I’ve had,’ he said. 

Just 10 months later, the pair were at it again – but this time it wasn’t as much of a contest. 

Pacquiao claimed another knockout win, this time inside three rounds, as he put the trilogy to bed and moved on to bigger and better things. 

Pacquiao sends Oscar De La Hoya into retirement 

In 2008, Pacquiao went head-to-head with the legendary Oscar De La Hoya in a bout that had been billed ‘The Dream Match’ in its build-up. 

De La Hoya was certainly approaching the end of his career, having lost two of his last four fights against Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather. 

However, and it’s a big however, Pacquiao was making the remarkable step up to 145lbs – he’d only on one prior occasion fought above 130lbs!  

Many were anticipating a late stoppage for De La Hoya, with his size and strength predicted to be too much for the Filipino. 

As we saw just last weekend with Oleksandr Usyk’s sensational win over Anthony Joshua, size and strength aren’t always the most telling attributes, however. 

Pacquiao totally outclassed a hapless Oscar De La Hoya, who retired after a resounding defeat

Indeed, this was a slightly different affair, with De La Hoya looking severely depleted having previously moved upto middleweight. But the performance from Pacquiao was simply sensational regardless.    

Pacquiao beat the future all-time great from pillar to post, with the bout stopped after De La Hoya returned to the corner following a destructive eighth round. 

De La Hoya, who announced his retirement following the defeat, subsequently revealed Pacquiao was the best opponent he ever faced. 

Meanwhile, Pacquiao named De La Hoya as his best-ever win during the build-up to his most recent defeat against Ugas.    

‘The greatest victory is the De La Hoya fight,’ Pacquiao said. ‘You know why, because I came from 135 to 147. That’s unusual. I mean, not many boxers can do that — from 126 to 135 and then moving up to 147. What?!’

Pacquiao DESTROYS Britain’s Ricky Hatton

In another glorious moment for the Filipino, Pacquiao absolutely destroyed Britain’s Hatton back in 2009. 

Again, Hatton was in the twilight of his career, having fallen to a devastating stoppage defeat to Mayweather a year-and-a-half prior. But it was another highly impressive victory nonetheless.  

On one of boxing’s biggest stages in the MGM Grand Casino, Las Vegas, Pacquiao needed just two rounds to wipe the floor with one of Britain’s biggest stars. 

Pacquiao had his opponent in all sorts of trouble early on, as he knocked Hatton to the canvas twice in the opening round, first with a right and the second with a left. 

Pacquiao needed less than two rounds to destroy British fan favourite Ricky Hatton in 2009

Hatton pressed forward in the second round, looking to push the all-time great back. 

But he was once again caught, this time by a stunning left-hook. He was unconscious from the second it landed, with the Brit left face up, eyes closed and entirely out on the canvas. 

It was another victory that arguably cemented Pacquiao’s position the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. 

Pacquiao seals second win over Juan Manuel Marquez 

Pacquiao’s rivalry with Juan Manuel Marquez certainly goes down as one of the greatest ever – though it didn’t finish too well for the Filipino, which we’ll get to later. 

The pair astonishingly fought on four occasions across three weight classes, such was the demand to see the two fighters who gelled so well in action. Both aggressive, both packing a punch and both gunning for a knockout. 

The first encounter ended in a draw, a result few could have predicted as Marquez was knocked to the canvas three times in the opening round. 

The Mexican somehow survived and continued to the end of the contest, with the judges unable to split the two come the final bell. 

They would not fight again for almost four years, with the rematch taking place in 2008. 

Pacquiao sealed his second controversial win over Juan Manuel Marquez back in 2011

This time, Pacquiao emerged victorious as he claimed a split decision victory. But though the result was conclusive this time round, the surrounding opinion was not. 

One judge gave the bout to Marquez, with many believing the Mexican deserved to win. 

But if there was controversy surrounding the rematch, there was even more following the trilogy bout in 2011, where Pacquiao claimed another win, this time by majority decision. 

Once more, there was very little to separate the two. Regardless, it was another stunning moment in Pacquiao’s great career. 

Pacquiao defies time with Keith Thurman win

A truly great moment in boxing history. Pacquiao put in a stunning performance against the previously unbeaten Keith Thurman to become the oldest welterweight champion in history. 

The Filipino claimed a split decision victory to take Thurman’s WBA belt, with two judges scoring the contest 115-112 to Pacquiao, while the other gave it 114-113 to Thurman.  

Thurman, the taller, heavier man, was knocked to the canvas in the first round by Pacquiao, who was competing in his 71st bout. 

Pacquiao defeated Keith Thurman to become the oldest welterweight champion in history

Looking for his 30th victory in as many fights, Thurman responded well, with his best spell coming in the middle rounds after recovering from the early blow. 

However, despite being 10 years his opponent’s senior, it was Pacquiao who came on strong in the later rounds, sealing what was an historic victory. 

Thurman has since voiced his desire to take on Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, but he’s yet to enter the ring following the defeat.

Pacquiao is knocked out cold by Marquez

Now for some of the lows in Pacquiao’s career, as we finish the chapter of his remarkable four-fight rivalry with Juan Manuel Marquez. 

With Pacquiao claiming two wins and a draw in their opening three encounters, the fourth and final bout between the pair went well and truly in Marquez’s favour. 

They had been almost inseparable in their three prior outings, with many left enraged by the outcomes on all three occasions. This time, the ending was conclusive. 

Pacquiao was knocked out cold with a stunning punch from seemingly out of nowhere 

The MGM Grand Garden Arena was poised for the two to undergo battle once more, with the older Marquez, 39, looking to avenge his defeats against the 33-year-old Pacquiao.  

The pair exchanged knockdowns in a scintillating affair, with Pacquiao dropping to the canvas in the third round before scoring a knockdown himself in the fifth. 

Pacquiao sensed the win was in sight and went in for the kill, but he was unable to land the decisive blow as a wobbly, bloodied Marquez – carrying damage to his eye and nose – managed to survive the round. 

It was all Pacquiao in the sixth, right up to the dying seconds that is, as Marquez delivered a punch from the gods, instantly knocking his opponent out cold. 

Pacquiao lay face down in what has become an iconic moment. The stoppage was later crowned knockout of the year Ring Magazine, with the bout named fight of the year. 

Pacquiao falls short against Floyd Mayweather

Of course, Pacquiao will always be remembered for his unanimous decision defeat to Floyd Mayweather in 2015. 

The fight had been brewing for some five years and the hype was off the charts when it finally came to fruition.  

Dubbed the ‘Fight of the Century’ in its build-up, the bout was one of the most eagerly-anticipated boxing events in history.

Pacquiao fell short against Floyd Mayweather, who strolled to a unanimous decision victory

Ultimately, the fight failed to match the build-up, with a masterful Mayweather keeping Pacquiao at bay for all 12 rounds, somewhat strolling to a points victory. 

The American claimed the WBO welterweight title to add to his WBC and WBA straps, with the judges scoring the fight 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112.   

Pacquiao did make history despite the defeat, with the fight still the 
highest grossing pay-per-view boxing event ever, with a staggering 4.6million buys.

Pacquiao suffers a shock defeat to Jeff Horn 

We end with Pacquiao’s shock defeat to Jeff Horn in 2017, one of the biggest upsets in recent boxing history. 

Horn, 29, was expected to be brushed aside by the then 11-time world champion, despite the bout taking place in the Australian’s home city of Brisbane. 

Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight belt with defeat, with all three judges scoring the bout in favour of Horn, with scores of 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113.

After Horn fared well in the opening rounds, Pacquiao required treatment in the sixth and seventh rounds following an accidental clash of heads. 

Pacquiao fell to a shock unanimous decision defeat to Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia

He came on strong as the fight went on, however, with a buzzed Horn certainly wobbled in the ninth. 

But the Australian held on to a famous – and controversial – win, though many still believe the result should have gone Pacquiao’s way.  

Pacquiao later pulled out of a rematch between the two due to his commitments as Philippines senator, but eventually returned to the ring a year later as he knocked out Lucas Martin Matthysse.  

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