Manny Pacquiao is a boxing legend. His achievements in the sport come unrivaled due to records he holds out on his own.
Pacquiao celebrates the twelfth anniversary of his victory over Antonio Margarito in November. It’s a win that made the Filipino the only fighter in history to win titles in eight weight classes.
In 2010, WBN was just over three months into our tenure in the sport. Pacquiao’s win is certainly one of the earliest memories of boxing coverage.
Manny Pacquiao achievements
That year, Manny Pacquiao didn’t even win the WBN Fighter of the Year Award. That honor voted for by the fans went to Amir Khan for his two impressive wins that year.
But Pacquiao’s feat eclipsed anything of that time and most achievements since then. It truly is a remarkable story.
Going from a 105-pound waif to a fully-fledged super-lightweight puncher. Then going up two more divisions above his ideal weight, it will be a formidable record to match.
Back in 2010, Margarito was much more extensive and not to mention shrouded in controversy. He had a well-publicized grievance against him from Miguel Cotto.
Nonetheless, Pacquiao was unstoppable.
Antonio Margarito win
The fight report that night told its own story.
The ‘Pacman’ took immediate control from the first bell. He won almost every round on the judge’s scorecards as the ‘Tornado’ wilted under the pressure of Pacquiao’s speed and pressure combinations.
Pacquiao’s relentless come-forward style was all too much for Margarito, opening up a cut on his cheek and gradually closing his right eye to the point that Pacquiao asked the referee to step in and stop the fight in the eleventh round.
Margarito did catch the eight-time champion with a superb body shot in the sixth, dipping the legs of Pacquiao. Still, the Filipino returned with yet another combination to make it to the end of the round.
Somehow, Margarito made it to the last bell. But the judges’ scorecards predictably read 120-108, 119-109, and 118-110.
The result made former flyweight Pacquiao the new WBC light-middleweight champion of the world.
Pacquiao, who moves to 52-3-2, cements his place as one of the greatest fighters.
A super-human being who may not be able to top this victory unless he can drag Floyd Mayweather away from his troubles long enough to get the fight on next year.
Speaking to reporters after the fight, Pacquiao explained his amazement at what he had achieved.
Damage
“I can’t believe I beat someone this big and this strong,” said Pacquiao.
“I told the referee, ‘Look at his eyes, look at his cuts.’ And I did not want to damage him permanently. That’s not what boxing is about.”
Pacquiao’s place in boxing folklore is already secure – a champion at 112lbs in 1998 and now at 154lbs champion in 2010.
Gr-Eight
But to begin your career at 105 pounds and win a title at 154 is the real eye-catcher.
Furthermore, it’s an unbelievable achievement by the gr-eight Manny Pacquiao. It’s hard to see how things can get any better for the living legend.
Well over a decade on, and Pacquiao is a year into retirement. He had one more reign as champion at welterweight, becoming the oldest ever – another record.
He’s gone from Congressman to Senator to a Presidential run in 2022. His efforts and achievements know no bounds.
There will never be another Manny Pacquiao.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
