MANNY PACQUIAO
Widely considered one of the best boxers in the world, Manny Pacquiao has worked his way to the top of the boxing world and boasts one of the best records in the sport at 54-4 and two draws. Pacquiao was named the "Fighter of the Decade" by the Boxing Writers Association of America, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization and is one of the only boxers in history to capture the Lineal Championship in four different weight classes. Pacquiao's stunningly successful career has vaulted him to international star status, as well as a political career. In 2010, Pacquiao was named to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines and has become a major folk hero to the country.
Pacquiao got his start at a relatively young age, and he began training in Manila as a mere teenager in the hopes of making it as a professional boxer. Pacquiao fought his first professional fight against Edmund Ignacio, and won the fight in four rounds in a unanimous decision. After defeating Thailand's Chatchai Sasakul, Pacquiao captured his first belt, a World Boxing Council flyweight title, which earned him international recognition. It wasn't until 2001 when Pacquiao moved into a larger weight division that his star really began to soar. He won the junior featherweight title in a bout against Lehlo Ledwaba and would continue his stellar run over the successive years. He would go onto win world titles in an astounding eight different weight classes over the course of the next decade.
Perhaps Manny Pacquiao's most famed bout came in December 2008, when he faced off against American Oscar De La Hoya, who was considered to be one of the best fighters in the world at the time. Although the welterweight fight wasn't for a title, Pacquiao prevailed in eight rounds and the fight became one of the most successful in boxing history. The match collected nearly $70 million in revenue and showed that there was still a genuine interest in boxing throughout the world.
Pacquiao's most controversial fight came in 2012 when he lost a 115-113 decision to Timothy Bradley. Although Pacquiao won seven rounds to Bradley's five, the judges' decision shocked the boxing world and handed Pacquiao a rare defeat. It was one major blemish in an otherwise stellar career that still has plenty of exciting moments ahead, and maybe even a few more unexpected surprises.