Approaching his fortieth profession fight at just 24 years of age, Manny Pacquiao had the possibility to make boxing history for the whole lot of Asia.
One of the recognizable sporting figures to ever walk the earth, Filipino megastar Manny Pacquiao is lining up one other return to the ring by the turn of next yr.
And to date linked with an entire host of potential matchups, the multi-weight champion has sights on one other charge at welterweight gold, in addition to a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
Nonetheless, during his initial rise Stateside, Pacquiao set the boxing world alight with an incredible finish in one more controversial outing.
- THROWBACK — Fans threw food and beer at Manny Pacquiao in protest after infamous ‘foot stomp’ rivalry clash
Manny Pacquiao’s late win over Marco Antonio Barrera
On this present day in 2003, Pacquiao entered the squared circle in the hunt for The Ring featherweight championship opposite Mexican pugilist Marco Antonio Barrera.
And just 4 fights deep into his latest residency in america, Pacquiao was forced to the eleventh round by a game Barrera in a fight marred by controversy.
Slipping to the canvas as Barrera got here forward within the opening exchanges, Pacquiao was wrongly hit with a knockdown against him.
And within the sixth round, Pacquiao would open a cut on Barrera attributable to a clash of heads, before a ninth-round blow after a break within the clinch, leading to some extent deduction.
Eventually felling the defending champion within the eleventh round, a brutal onslaught from Pacquiao was enough to force the towel from Barrera’s corner, handing him a TKO win.
And with that stoppage, Pacquiao became the primary fighter from Asia to win three world championships in separate divisions.
Manny Pacquiao talks up Conor McGregor clash
Locked in talks for a possible boxing match with UFC star Conor McGregor before his eventual retirement from the ring 4 years ago, Pacquiao did not ever fight the Dubliner.
Nonetheless, the pairing has continued to attract interest across each the boxing and MMA spheres, with the duo each sharing the ring with the previously mentioned Mayweather of their careers.
Vowing to “shut his [McGregor’s] mouth” in the event that they ever entered the ring, the Philippines star breathed some latest life into the high-profile matchup recently.