Kibawe has been home to many heroes over the years, and countless friendly and welcoming people have stayed here. However, did you know that Filipino hero and boxing legend Emmanual Dapidran “Manny” Pacquiao comes from Kibawe?
A former IBF Super Bantamweight world champion, as well as champion of WBC Flyweight divisions, Pacquaio is one of the greatest boxers of his generation, if not ever. Pacquiao began his professional boxing career in 1995 weight, at the age of only 16. His first TV showing was on Vintage Sports, and his professional debut was a bout with Edmund Ignacio in January 1995, where Pacquaio came out on top after four rounds via decision.
He went unbeaten until his 12th fight, against Rustico Torrecampo, losing via TKO. However, Pacquaio had not made the correct weight for the fight, and therefore had to wear heavier gloves and this would affect his ability in the fight.
He won the WBC Flyweight Title over Chatchai Sasakul, with an eighth round victory. However, he lost the belt in his second title defence against Medogen Sungsurat, in Thailand.
However, in 2001, Pacquaio claimed the IBF Super Bantamweight belt, defeating Lehlohonolo Ledwaba with a TKO. He was not even supposed to be fighting – he was a late replacement for the fight, and won the title in the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. He successfully defended his title four times, before facing to Mexican boxing superstar Marco Antonio Barrera – the biggest fight of his career until now. He won the fight and won via TKO in the 11th round in Alamodome in Texas.
Pacquaio then fought to a controversial draw with Mexico’s other leading light, Juan Manuel Marquez, where the judge later admitted that he made a mistake in the ruling of the fight via the scorecards. One of the most famous moments of Pacquaios career is the uppercut to Por Thawatchai, where he lifted off the canvas en route to landing to the floor, knocked out, there are numerous pictures of this on the internet, it is a really iconic boxing moment.
Following victories against Hector Velasquez – capturing the WBC International Super Featherweight title – and Eric Morales, as well as victories in 2006 over Oscar Larios, Pacquaio signed a lucrative deal with Golden Boy Promotions, one of the largest paying and lucrative boxing promotions in the world, and shortly after he defeated Morales for a third time – declaring Pacquaio 2-1 winner in the three matches – he then won the title fighter of the year for 2006, by both HBO and Ring Magazine.
Pacquaio next conquered Jorge Solis in the 8th round, taking his record to 44-3-2, one of the most impressive in boxing history. He next fought Barrera again – after long legal disputes between Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank – in one of the most anticipated fights in boxing history. Pacquaio won the fight in the 11th round by unanimous decision.
Pacquao is still going strong at the moment in boxing, and had done alot for the Philippines in politics too, and is truly a legend of the country, and it is an honour to us of Kibawe that he hails from our town – would you not like to see the town that one of boxings favourite sons hails from? Come visit us in Kabawe to see just how great it is!
By: RG edmonton AB