It's Manny Pacquiao fight week! This weekend marks a major date in the boxing calendar with the ring return of the future Hall of Famer. So to commemorate, TheSPORTbible take a trip down memory lane as we relive some of his greatest hits in a 66-fight storied professional career.
The Filipino sensation last competed in April easily out-pointing rival Timothy Bradley in what was being billed as a retirement bout. Though a few short months later Pacquiao came out of a brief hiatus to continue fighting.
As the 37-year-old seeks to reclaim world honours by challenging Jessie Vargas for the WBO world title in Las Vegas, Nevada, we look back at a few of his greatest nights in the squared circle:
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WHO: Lehlo Ledwaba
WHEN: June 23rd, 2001
WEIGHT: Super-Bantamweight
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(Right-hook lands flush on the South-African)
We begin our Pacquiao's greatest hits tour with his American debut in 2001. Making serious waves in the Far-East led to the young fighters Las Vegas bow defeating world champion Lehlo Ledwaba to capture the IBF super-bantamweight title.
No one was really aware of the unheralded boxer until the performance churned out put everyone on notice. The then-22-year-old was a late injury replacement and a huge underdog heading into the fight.
But after inflicting his South-African foe with a broken nose in the very first round, Pacquaio continued to apply relentless pressure eventually mauling the world titlist in a one-sided victory.
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IN SHORT: It would still be a couple of years before he became a legit megastar, yet this was the dawn of something special.
WHO: Oscar De La Hoya
WHEN: December 6th, 2008
WEIGHT: Welterweight
(Pacquiao connects with De La Hoya during the 8th round of their welterweight fight in Las Vegas, NV)
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"The Dream Fight." Pacquiao's first 1,000,000 pay-per-view event came up against bonafide superstar Oscar De La Hoya. 'Golden Boy' boiled himself down to welterweight after competing at middleweight but proved a strong enough test.
Conversely, 'Pacman' was coming up from lightweight barely weighing the welterweight limit but despite being the smaller man inside the ring, Pacquiao dominated a physically-drained De La Hoya.
Following eight rounds of sustained beating, the six-weight world champion was forced to quit on the stool, setting up a huge clash with Manchester hero Ricky Hatton for the world light-welterweight titles.
IN SHORT: Pacquiao sent De La Hoya into retirement comfortably beating the bigger, favoured man and in some style.
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WHO: Ricky Hatton
WHEN: May 2nd, 2009
WEIGHT: Light-Welterweight
(Referee Kenny Bayless checks on Hatton after being floored by Pacquiao)
The world title bout was an eagerly-anticipated clash combined with the Filipino's bid at boxing history as well as the threat posed by the Mancunian. Though Hatton proved to be overmatched. Pacquiao was at his destructive best ending the world title contest shortly in ferocious manner.
Hatton was stalking his foe applying heavy pressure but was dropped twice in the opening round before eventually succumbing in the following round by a sharp and brutal overhand left.
The victory cemented Pacquiao's legacy as an all-time great as he became only the second boxer to win six world championships in six different weight divisions, at the time.
IN SHORT: One of his most defining moments not to mention scoring The Ring Magazine knockout of the year.
WHO: Antonio Margarito
WHEN: November 13th, 2010
WEIGHT: Super-Welterweight
(Pacquiao and Margarito pose with the super-welterweight championship belt)
Following the Hatton victory, Pacquiao made it seven world titles in seven divisions by finishing the Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto subsequently defending the belt against Joshua Clottey at Cowboys stadium.
Pacquiao would proceed to fight in the ridiculous stadium for the second time in the year bludgeoning Antonio Margartio in an astonishing victory recording a remarkable statistic by clinching an eighth world title.
With a catchweight 150-pounds in place, Pacquiao weighed in at a light 146lbs compared to the Mexican who came in at a whopping 165lbs. The fleet-footed fighter utilised his speed to create angles to deliver a flurry of punches en route to lop-sided decision win.
IN SHORT: From flyweight to super-welterweight (light-middleweight) world champion. Unreal.
WHO: Juan Manuel Marquez
WHEN: November 12th, 2011
WEIGHT: Welterweight
(Pacquiao exchanges punches with Marquez in their third meeting)
The pair embroiled themselves into boxing folklore by delivering not one but FOUR compelling back-and-forth fights. Two previous encounters ended in a draw and a narrow Pacquiao win, as the Filipino fighter was seeking for a definitive answer to one of the greatest boxing rivalries.
Marquez is considered as the fighter who has Pacquiao's number following 24 intense and thrilling rounds in 2004 then 2008 troubling him with the Mexicans slick defensive capabilities.
While the outcome splits opinion across the boxing community, Pacquiao got the judges nod retaining the WBO welterweight title.
IN SHORT: Three of the four fights are subject to debate but there's no denying these men have firmly deep-rooted a proud legacy while representing their respective nation.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manny Pacquiao, Boxing