Manny Pacquiao, born on December 17, 1978, is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. Known for his boxing prowess, he is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. Pacquiao is the only eight-division world champion in history. Apart from boxing, he has also pursued a political career and is currently serving as a senator in the Philippines. Manny Pacquiao is not only a national icon but also a global figure in sports and politics.
Manny Pacquiao was introduced to boxing at the age of 12 by his maternal uncle Sardo Mejia. Watching Mike Tyson's defeat of James "Buster" Douglas in 1990 alongside his uncle had a profound impact on him. Under Mejia's guidance, he began training in a makeshift home gym and started boxing in a park in General Santos, eventually traveling to other cities to fight higher-ranked opponents. By age 15, he was considered the best junior boxer in the southern Philippines, prompting a move to Manila.
In January 1995, at the age of 16, he made his professional boxing debut as a junior flyweight. Pacquiao's early years were not without struggles. He turned to boxing as a means of survival, having nothing and no one to depend on but himself. Realizing that boxing was a skill he excelled at, he trained hard to provide for himself and his family.
During his early days, Pacquiao lived a life of extreme poverty. Homeless, he resorted to sleeping in cardboard boxes and on the streets. However, he didn't let this adversity deter him from his boxing dreams. He sought every opportunity to train and better his skills. He would wrap his hands with strips of cloth for lack of boxing gloves. He practiced his punches and footwork under bridges and in back-alleys. His determination to succeed was fueled by the harsh circumstances of his life, and this grit and tenacity were evident in his future success in boxing.
Manny Pacquiao is renowned for being the first boxer to win world titles in eight weight divisions and the first to win the lineal championship in five different weight classes. Known as the first boxer to win major world titles in four of the original eight weight classes of boxing, Pacquiao also stands out as the first to become a four-decade world champion, securing world championships across four decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s). He was consistently rated as the best active boxer in the world by most sporting news and boxing websites.
Manny Pacquiao is married to Maria Geraldine "Jinkee" Jamora, and they have five children: Emmanuel Jr., Michael, Mary Divine Grace, Queen Elizabeth, and Israel. The family resides in General Santos City, Philippines, where Pacquiao was born and raised. Despite his global fame and busy schedule, Pacquiao ensures he spends quality time with his family. His focus is on giving his children a comfortable life and a good education. He also continues his work in the political arena, serving his term as a senator, while advocating for the welfare and betterment of his countrymen.
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