Legendary Filipino boxer and 2016 incumbent Philippine senator Manny Pacquiao is the only eight-division world champion in the history of boxing, winning eleven major world titles, as well as being the first boxer to win the lineal championship in five different weight classes. Awarded the title Fighter of the Decade by the BWAA, WBC and WBO, Manny Pacquiao is one of the most iconic boxers the sport has ever seen.
Raised by his single mother in poverty, Pacquiao left home aged 14, living on the streets for some time before making the Philippine National amateur boxing team who then provided him with housing. He holds an astounding amateur record of 60 wins and 4 losses.
Spurred on by the death of a close friend, Pacquiao pursued a career as a professional boxer and became an instant hit defeating Edmund ‘Enting’ Ignacio in his debut fight. Moving from Flyweight to Welterweight throughout his incredibly successful boxing career, he holds a professional record of 70 wins and 7 losses, and is an international sensation in the world of boxing.
In recent times Pacquiao has embarked on a political career, and became one of twelve new senators elected to the Philippine senate in 2016. The former boxer also plays professional basketball, debuting in Philippine Basketball Association’s KIA Picanto League in the 2014 season.