Manny Pacquiao Becomes Only Boxer To Be A Champion In Four Decades
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Manny Pacquiao has created history and become the only boxer to be a champion in four different decades.
The 41-year-old legend is the current WBA welterweight champion after stunning Keith Thurman in July 2019.
It means that Pacquiao has now achieved the stunning feat of being a champion in the 90's, 00's, 10's and 20's.
:tada::crown: Happy New Year! Congratulations to Manny Pacquiao who has just become the first boxer in history to hold world titles in four separate decades... pic.twitter.com/bZTaxhgpxN
- Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) January 1, 2020
Pacquiao's first belt came back in 1998 via an eighth round knockout win against Thai fighter Chatchai Sasakul.
'Pac Man' claimed the lineal and WBC flyweight titles as a fresh faced 19-year-old and he never looked back.
What followed was a legendary career which saw the Filipino claim belts in eight different weight classes.
He begun the 2000's by claiming the IBF super bantamweight title.
Pacquiao then went on to claim belts at super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight and welterweight.
That dominant run led to him being named Fighter of the Decade in 2010 which was fully deserved.
Notable Manny Pacquiao's wins last decade: Margarito, Moseley, Marquez, Bradley x2 and Thurman.
Props to Floyd for beating Manny but he effectively retired after that win in 2015.
Manny still beating on welterweight in 2019.
Clear fighter of the decade for me!
- The Boxing Fan Man (@theboxingfanman) January 1, 2020
His name has become synonymous with modern boxing and it looks like that won't be ending anytime soon.
The previous decade also saw the highly anticipated match with Floyd Mayweather occur in 2015.
Despite defeat to 'Money', the 'Fight of the Century' lived up to it's billing and is one of the highest grossing pay-per-view fights of all time.
Pacquiao's victory over Thurman in July, who is ten years his junior, rolled back the clock as he put on a dominant display.
.@MannyPacquiao's feeling' himself after 2 rounds :joy: pic.twitter.com/qNDOiVm7AE
- FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 21, 2019
In his post-fight interview, Manny paid tribute to Keith, per talkSPORT: "He's not an easy opponent, he's a good boxer.
"I did my best to make the people happy.
"I'm sure you're happy tonight because you see a good fight.
"I think my next fight will probably be next year."
Do you think Pacquiao will go down as one of the greatest of all time?
Sound off in the comments below.
Featured Image Credit: @MacDesigns_/Twitter
Topics: Manny Pacquiao, Boxing News, Boxing
