(First of three parts)
Filipino boxing icon Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao completed his comeback bid in 2014 with a pair of impressive victories, proving once again that at 36 years old (he turned a year older last Dec. 17), he remains a force to reckon with in professional boxing.
the previously unbeaten Chris Algieri in November. Below, the Filipino
ring icon beamas as he shows off his form to the sports media before
the fight.
Only two years ago in June, Pacquiao ceded his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown to American Timothy Bradley in a match most boxing fans thought he won.
Six months later of the same year, Pacquiao was knocked out cold in the sixth round by his Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in a devastatating loss many thought from which he would never recover.
But Pacquiao proved he is made of sterner stuff, as he came back with a vengeance, beating American Brandon Rios to a pulp in November 24, 2013.
Last year in April, Pacquiao wrested his WBO welterweight crown from Bradley in a rematch in Macau, China that erased all doubts that he was the superior fighter.
Seven months later, the Pacman successfully defended his title with another lopsided unanimous decision victory over erstwhile unbeaten Chris Algieri, the former WBO junior-welterweight titleholder, also held in Macau.
In that memorable fight, Pacquiao dropped Algieri a record six times, the most in memory, that produced the most lopsided scores submitted by three judges —120-102, 119-103 and 118-103—arguably the largest winning margin in the history of prizefighting.
lopsided win over Algieri.
Pacquiao’s near shut-out victory over Algieri, who holds a master’s degree, was his second in a row against undefeated fighters, counting his revenge victory over Bradley.
Speaking of records, the 350-man Pacquiao entourage, was the biggest so far which any fighter had brought to a fight venue in a boxing match, while the all-Pastor choir that sang the Philippine National Anthem was also a first in boxing.
In winning back his title, Pacquiao, a loving husband to Sarangani Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao and doting father to his five children, has sent a strong message that he is still on top of his game, and will take on every challenge, especially in a fight boxing fans all over the world had clamored for years, against the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Most of the boxing fans worldwide still looks up to Pacquiao as the best pound-for-pound fighter of this era, a special fighter blessed with punching power, speed and a steely determination tto vault back from adversity on the way to a 57-5-2 win-loss-draw record with 38 Kos and the only man on the planet to win eight eight-division world championships.