Manny Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, a staggering achievement considering there are 17 official weight classes in boxing, which range from minimum flyweight (105 pounds) to middleweight and beyond. The former senator started his career at just 106 pounds in 1995 and quickly climbed the ladder, winning his first world title as a flyweight in 1998 and eventually capturing a belt at 154 pounds in 2010.
As Pacquiao prepares for his July 19 fight against current welterweight champion Mario Barrios, we revisited each of his title bouts, each fought in a different weight class, highlighting his rare talent to excel and dominate across boxing’s full weight spectrum.
Flyweight: Pacquiao vs. Sasakul (1998)
Weight: 112 pounds
For his first-ever major world title, a 19-year-old Pacquiao knocked out Thailand’s Chatchai Sasakul, earning him the title of WBC flyweight champion. Pacquiao had barely even reached star status in the Philippines, but this fight was his breakthrough moment on the global stage. Sasakul, eight years his senior and regarded as one of the best fighters in Thailand’s combat sports history, dominated the early rounds of the match. But Pacquiao’s relentless aggression wore him down, and in the eighth round, he landed a thunderous left hand that knocked the Thai fighter out.
Junior Featherweight: Pacquiao vs. Ledwaba (2001)
Weight: 122 pounds
Pacquiao’s fight against South Africa’s Lehlo Ledwaba, who was then considered the top junior featherweight fighter of his time. Pacquiao entered the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas unknown and left as boxing’s next rising star. Taking the fight on in just two weeks’ notice, Pacquiao broke Ledwaba’s nose early into the fight and dropped him by the sixth and final round.
Featherweight: Pacquiao vs. Barrera (2003)
Weight: 126 pounds
Pacquiao moved into a new weight class to take on Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera, a multiple-time world champion. Despite being branded as the fight’s underdog, Pacquiao overwhelmed Barrera with his speed, power, and relentless offense. He scored a knockdown in the third round and continued to dominate the fight, leaving Barrera bloodied and frustrated. By the 11th round, Barrera’s corner threw in the towel, becoming the first of many Mexican fighters to leave a ring with Pacquiao defeated (hence Pacquiao’s nickname, the “Mexicutioner”).
Junior Lightweight: Pacquiao vs. Márquez (2008)
Weight: 135 pounds
This may not have been Pacquiao’s strongest fight, especially because he barely won the match with a split decision over his fight against Mexico’s Juan Manuel Márquez, a multiple-time world champion in four separate weight classes. After 12 rounds of razor-close exchanges, Pacquiao’s third-round knockdown of Márquez proved to be the deciding factor on the judges’ scorecards.
Lightweight: Pacquiao vs. Díaz (2008)
Weight: 135 pounds
Pacquiao’s fight with America’s David Díaz was so violent, ESPN described it as “a bloody, one-sided demolition of Díaz, a guy with a big heart but nowhere near the skills, speed, or power as Pacquiao.” Pacquiao cut Díaz’s nose in the second round, gashed his eye in the fourth, and by the ninth round, Pacquiao’s crushing left hand sent Díaz face-first into the canvas.
Junior Welterweight: Pacquiao vs. Hatton (2009)
Weight: 140 pounds
British boxing champion Ricky Hatton had been on a two-fight winning streak before he entered the ring with Pacquiao. Pacquiao’s fans are sure to remember the devastating knockout blow he gifted Hatton in the fight’s second round, knocking him out cold for the entire MGM Grand to see.
Welterweight: Pacquiao vs. Cotto (2009)
Weight: 147 pounds
In what ESPN claimed was the “most impressive performance” of Pacquiao’s entire career, the boxer went up against Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto, the first Puerto Rican boxer to win world titles in four weight classes. From the outset, Pacquiao imposed his speed and brutal punches, dropping Cotto with a right hand in the third round and again in the fourth.
Junior Middleweight: Pacquiao vs. Margarito (2010)
Weight: 154 pounds
In his historic eighth title win, Pacquiao faced Mexico’s Antonio Margarito, despite giving up a 17-pound weight disadvantage to the much larger former welterweight champion. Undeterred by the size gap, Pacquiao inflicted serious damage, including a fractured orbital bone that required Margarito to undergo surgery. After 12 one-sided rounds, Pacquiao won by unanimous decision.
