Now with a string of impressive and devastating victories in every higher weight classes Manny Pacquiao has established himself as the current pound for pound champion. On November 14, 2009 he’s taking on another challenge when he meets welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in yet another massive super fight.

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao

49 (37) -3 -2
Height: 5′6″ Reach: 57″
Best Wins: KO2 Ricky Hatton, TKO8 Oscar De La Hoya, SD Juan Manuel Marquez, TKO 10 and KO 3 Erik Morales, TKO11 Marco Antonio Barrera

Pacquiao first came into the American boxing scene 8 years ago, but he found a permanent home in the hearts and minds of fans everywhere at the end of 2003. In November of that year we saw Manny Pacquiao destroy Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera. His explosive style, powerful punching and lightning quick hands were a combination that Barrera couldn’t cope with, and that fans couldn’t get enough of. The fight would launch Pacquiao on a collision course with the world’s best featherweights, who were by and large, other Mexican greats.

Next on the list was Juan Manuel Marquez, the most undervalued of his contemporaries. Pacquiao blitzed him in the first round, sending him to the canvas three times. It looked like it would be another short and dominating night. However, Marquez found a way to recover his senses and used his crisp counter punching to turn the tide of the fight. After the final bell rang, the fight was declared a draw, and many people felt that Marquez had actually pulled off the come from behind win.

Another great Mexican warrior was in line next, the hard fighting Erik Morales, who was coming straight off of his third fight with rival Barrera. Morales, to the surprise of many, deployed solid boxing skills to keep Pacquiao at bay for the majority of the fight. Only with the fight almost over, and his machismo unable to be restrained any further, did Morales succumb to his brawling instincts. The fight was another classic and Morales walked away with a win.

Despite his exciting style, Pacquiao was now 1-1-1 in his biggest fights, not the record of a great champion. Morales reminded all of us what Marquez had shown previously, that Pacquiao despite his power and speed, was a somewhat limited fighter. He relied entirely on his straight left hand for his offense and his defense was just to charge in even harder.

Improving his Style

Going back to work with trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao began to develop a more complete offensive arsenal. He also worked to continually deploy head movement and angles, to keep his opponent guessing and to keep Pacquiao at the correct spot to unleash his weapons and then escape unscathed. Adding these techniques to his game would turn Pacquiao from offensive dynamo and fan favorite to one of the best fighters on the planet.

Now Pacquiao would get another shot at the three men he went a collective 1-1-1 against. First up was Morales, who in a shootout would be stopped in the 10th round. A rubber match with Morales followed, this time seeing the proud warrior counting himself out in just the third round. Sandwiched between the second and third Morales fights was a victory of another Mexican champion, Oscar Larios.

Pacquiao then rematched Barrera, this time besting him with a unanimous decision. And finally it was time for the rematch that fans had been craving, a second fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. In another back and forth encounter, Pacquiao escaped with a decision thanks in large part to a knockdown he scored.

However, many felt that Marquez deserved the victory. Marquez’s unique set of skills, including his pinpoint counter punching and his surprisingly jolting power are the perfect foil for Pacquiao’s come forward and punch aggression.

Moving to Lightweight and Welterweight

Nevertheless, Pacquiao went 4-0 against three future Hall of Fame boxers. It was time for bigger challenges, and for Pacquiao the phrase would be quite literal. As a teenager, Pacquiao started his career fighting under 110 pounds. Now he would move up to 135 pounds to attempt to capture a lightweight championship. Pacquiao picked apart the game but overmatched David Diaz.

So why not keep shooting for even bigger challenges? Next up was Oscar De La Hoya, a fight to be held at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. Whether or not De La Hoya came into the fight weight drained, he was a large favorite to beat Pacquiao. He finally moved up too far most thought. Pacquiao would prove his doubters wrong once again, controlling the fight from its onset until De La Hoya quit in his corner.

Then in another highly anticipated contest, Pacquiao was lined up to face of against the once defeated Ricky Hatton, who was looking to restore luster to his name following his knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao absolutely devastated Hatton, knocking him out in two phenomenal rounds.

Manny Pacquiao has aspirations for his life outside of boxing. He has plans to run again for a position in his Filipino government (he ran once already and lost the election, only because his legion of fans wanted him to keep on boxing) and he already donates much of his time and money to his native country.

Pacquiao vs. Cotto

But before further embarking on these noteworthy endeavors, Pacquiao has another challenge in front of him. Manny Pacquiao is now all set to face Miguel Cotto on November 14, 2009 in Las Vegas. The fight will be held at a catch weight of 145 pounds. Cotto is looking to introduce Pacquiao to the true power of a real welterweight fighter, while Pacquiao is out to prove yet again that his offensive brilliance is just too much to handle.

A win over Miguel Cotto would continue to secure Pacquiao’s legacy as not just one of the most exciting boxers in recent memory, but one of the best, and one of the best fighters of all time.

Written by: Jake Emen