Manny Pacquiao’s best career knockouts on his 37th birthday
Published:
Lee Gormley | December 17, 2015
Manny Pacquiao’s best knockouts
The career of Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao has been a truly illustrious one, becoming the first and only eight-division world champion in which he has won an incredible 10 world titles spanning 65 fights since his first professional appearance back in 1995.
After 20 years in the ring and 38 devastating knockouts from his 57 career victories, the ‘Fighter of the Decade’ for the 2000s turns 37 on this day. So to celebrate, here are 10 of the ferocious southpaw’s deadliest KOs. Enjoy!
Lehlo Ledwaba, June 2001
We start off with a fight which Pacquiao only took on with two weeks notice, arriving for his American debut only 10 days beforehand, but it had little bearing on the outcome as he rampantly disposed of South African Ledwaba in the sixth round in his Las Vegas bow. The Filipino icon would later cement his boxing legacy in the United States.
Jorge Eliecer Julio, June 2002
Coming up against Colombian challenger Julio in Memphis, Pacquiao made short work of the South American, dropping him twice before stopping him in just the second round to retain his then-IBF super-bantamweight strap.
Emmanuel Lucero, July 2003
It was evident from early on in Pacquiao’s blistering career that he was destined for greatness in the sport, and this emphatic third-round stoppage of Lucero was a taster of things to come from his now famous left hand.
Marco Antonio Barrera, November 2003
“A superstar emerges in San Antonio,” cried out the commentator, as a fluid ‘Pacman’ unleashed terror on Mexican hero Barrera, with the latter’s corner worryingly retiring their man in the 11th round.
Hector Velazquez, September 2005
The legendary ‘Pacman’ has fought many Mexicans throughout his career, including four thrilling meetings with Juan Manuel Marquez, but his sixth-round domination of Velazquez a decade ago showed the world a glimpse of what was yet to come from this clinical southpaw.
Erik Morales, January 2006
After tasting defeat at the hands of Mexican Morales in 2005, Pacquiao made sure of success in their rematch the following year, as he stunningly demolished his rival in the 10th round.
David Diaz, June 2008
In Las Vegas, as the fighting great was reaching the height of his powers, he completely took American Diaz apart and eventually ended his night in the ninth round with a vicious straight left. Pacquiao clinched the WBC lightweight title with his devastating victory, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Oscar De La Hoya.
Oscar De La Hoya, December 2008
Fighting legend De La Hoya became another victim of Pacquiao’s in 2008, with the six-division world champion having no answer to his opponent’s dangerous left hands, having his left eye virtually closed over before his corner retired him to end his night.
Ricky Hatton, May 2009
After retiring ‘the Golden Boy’ in his previous match-up, ‘Pacman’ was on a path of destruction, and his next victim was to be Manchester’s Hatton.
‘The Hitman’ came into the clash on the back of two recovering wins since his maiden career loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr, but he was downed twice before being rocked with a shocking left hand in possibly Pacquiao’s most resounding KO win. ‘Pacman’ is yet to announce his next, and maybe last opponent, but is 8/15 with Coral overcome another British fighter Amir Khan, if they were to meet next year.
Miguel Cotto, November 2009
Puerto Rican icon Cotto is undoubtedly one of the bravest competitors to enter the squared-circle, and he proved that by almost going the distance against Pacquiao in their WBO welterweight title clash in 2009.
Despite an onslaught from the Filipino throughout the contest, it wasn’t until ‘Pacman’ began raining punches on Cotto in the final round that the referee intervened to halt proceedings, with Pacquiao having downed his opponent in the third and fourth beforehand.
Related
Read our boxing and UFC archive.
See who is taking to the ring this weekend.
