At 41 years old, Pac-Man is still fighting at world level - we consider 3 possible keys to his longevity
Entering the ring for the first time as a pro in 1995, Manny Pacquiao's career has spanned 25 years and 8 (yes 8) different weight classes, all of which saw him get his hands on at least 1 major world title. Last year at 40 years old he became the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history by beating then-undefeated Keith Thurman, a man 10 years his junior.
It's no secret that the Pacquiao of today is not the same boxer who won back to back fights against the likes of Érik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Márquez, or who served up savage beatings to far bigger men in Antonio Margarito and Oscar De La Hoya. But the fact he is still capable of mixing with (and beating) today's younger champions begs the question - what exactly is it that keeps him at the very top of the game?
Is talent alone enough to keep an ageing athlete amongst the elite in such a punishing sport? There have been plenty of supremely talented boxers over the years and Pacquiao certainly isn't the first to fight on past the point that most have hung up the gloves.
Let's not forget "Big George" Foreman who at 45 years old pulled off the upset to knock out Michael Moorer and win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. Or more recently Wladimir Klitschko who at nearly 40 was still ruling the heavyweight division. But the difference here is that Foreman wasn't exactly a world-beater at that point. The win against Moorer wasn't pretty and you'd be hard-pressed to say it was fought at the elite level.
In Klitschko's case, you could argue that his reign was lengthened by a lack of decent challengers. Looking at his last 5 opponents before Tyson Fury, the only name that stands out is Alexander Povetkin, the rest, though good fighters aren't exactly world-class. You have to wonder, if he'd met a Fury or Joshua sooner, would he have been able to hold onto those titles? Perhaps he would have. Perhaps Fury caught him at just the right time and perhaps the same thing will happen to Manny in his next fight. The sport is littered with examples of fighters ageing overnight - going one fight too far. But for now, you certainly can't suggest that Pacquiao doesn't belong in the ring; not when he is still beating world champions.
So besides an abundance of talent, what is so special about Manny Pacquiao? What is it that keeps him fighting at a level not only impressive for a man of his age but impressive full stop - still mixing it up with the very best? Without further ado here are our top 3 factors that we believe have led to the continued success of Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao.
1. The men in his corner
Manny has had a consistent team in his corner for most of his career, and while there is nothing wrong with mixing it up if things get stale (see Tyson Fury's recent partnering with Sugar Hill Steward for the second Wilder fight), the benefits that come with having a well-established team, and in particular a good fighter-trainer relationship, have proved a winning formula time and time again (think Lewis-Steward or Ali-Dundee). To see the reverse of this we can look to the likes of Mike Tyson, who after losing his mentor and trainer Cus D'Amato, was never quite the same, inside the ring or out, leaving him to become possibly one of boxing's greatest underachievers.
One constant in the Pacquiao corner has been lifelong friend Buboy Fernandez. Fernandez has been by Manny's side for every one of his pro fights. He assists with training and can often be seen at his friend's ear between rounds, providing support, comfort and tactical advice. Manny values Buboy - it's unlikely he would still be in the picture otherwise. Buboy even took over as head coach for the 2018 fight with Lucas Matthysse after an unexpected split from trainer Freddie Roach.
That split came after the loss to Jeff Horn and was possibly the result of Manny wanting to try something new after losing, but was more likely due to Roach expressing his opinion that Manny was struggling to juggle Professional boxing with his position in the Philippine Senate. Either way, Roach was bought back in after just one fight and has been there for the previous two. He may not be as close a friend to Pacquiao as is Buboy Fernandez, but he is most certainly the man credited with shaping him into the fighter he is today.
Pacquiao met Freddie Roach at the Wild Card gym in 2001 and they gelled instantly. In the 2014 documentary Manny, Roach recalls how after 1 round on the pads "we clicked like we knew each other our whole lives". Barring the recent shortlived split, Roach has been in his corner ever since.
We can only wonder where Pacquiao would be had that partnership never come to fruition; Roach is widely credited with refining the ragged and somewhat one-dimensional style of the younger Pacquiao and shaping him into the well-rounded fighter that we see today.
Their relationship is primarily one of business, and perhaps that's how it should be, but when talking about Roach, Manny has often used the words "family" and "friend". You can't help but feel their bond runs a little deeper than a mere mutually beneficial partnership; Manny trusts Roach and vice versa.
In boxing, you feel that some fighters are broken down as much by the politics as they are by the fights. It's as much a business as it is a sport, and relationships frequently turn sour. It is often referred to as the loneliest sport in the world - in part because once the bell rings for each round, a fighter has only himself to rely on - but also because outside of the ring, so many fighters have historically been treated as disposable by promoters, managers and even fans; adored while winning and tossed onto the scrapheap when losing. This can take a serious toll on a boxer's psyche in a sport where a sharp, focused mind is as important as a well-conditioned body. Just look at the unravelling of the aforementioned Mike Tyson and effect that the business (primarily Don King) had on him.
We can't know for sure the extent that his team have played in his success, it is quite possible that had he routinely switched up his coaching staff he would be where he is today regardless, but at the very least having a stable team of people that he knows and trusts in his corner has got to have played some part in Manny's perseverance in a young man's game. Training for a fight is a gruelling enough task in itself without having to worry about who you taking along for the ride.
Manny weights in ahead of fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
2. He fights for a nation
When Manny Pacquiao fights I doubt there is a Filipino on the planet who isn't behind him. For the people of the Philippines, a Pacquiao fight is more than just a boxing match - it unites classes in a country rife with extreme poverty, it gives hope and inspiration to kids who would otherwise have none, and it brings pride to an entire nation knowing that their man is one of the greatest that ever lived.
This is not to say that the Philippines doesn't have a lot to be proud of; we need not look any further than the sphere of boxing to find other icons, but none have transcended the sport to become global superstars in any way close to the manner that Pacquiao has. Manny is a household name in the USA and the UK, countries where typically fighters have struggled to find a fan base if they aren't fluent in English. In Manny's case, it wasn't a problem - his talent and character broke down any language barriers. He is revered the world over, and for this, the people of the Philippines can take even greater pride in claiming him as one of their own.
Manny is well aware of these facts. Each time he steps into the ring he does so fully understanding the joy and unity (if only temporary) that a win will send surging across his home nation. It must be a heavy burden, but it is a burden that Pacquiao appears to carry well, and one which no doubt provides a pool of strength and courage to tap into during those long wars between the ropes.
Manny Pacquiao with friend and trainer Buboy Fernandez
3. Humble beginnings
For as long as there has been boxing there have been people trying to fight their way out of poverty. No matter the country, boxing gyms have always provided refuge for the disadvantaged, with many young fighters seeing the gym as their only ticket to a better life. However, it's difficult for us in the west to even begin to imagine the level of poverty that Manny Pacquiao experienced before arriving in the spotlight.
Born in 1978 during a civil war, Manny's early life was one of extreme hardship. By his own account, he and his siblings could go for days without eating and were put to work from a very young age. In his early teens, Manny made his way to Manila, alone and without money, to look for better opportunities in boxing. Those opportunities came, but not with ease. For a time, he literally 'lived' in the gym, sleeping in the empty ring at night. He got his pro licence at 16 by lying about his age and would fill his pockets to make weight for fights.
It's not the first time we've heard this narrative. Boxing, perhaps more so than any other sport, has seen an abundance of rags to riches stories. We can draw parallels between Pacquiao's life and those of other legends such as Roberto Durán or Julio César Chávez, both of whom came from impoverished beginnings.
Chávez and Durán racked up astonishing records in the first halves of their careers before age, too many fights and a propensity to indulge in vices began to leave blemishes on their records. Duran has been particularly vocal about his party days and his tendency to overindulge and undertrain for fights. Manny too has been open about such things, admitting to having had problems with drinking, gambling and womanising. It's easy to see how fighters who grew up with nothing can lose their way when the world suddenly offers them everything.
Manny, however, claims to have left that all behind and his ability to do so could well be his greatest strength. Here is a man with all the grit and determination of a boy fighting to feed his family, with the skill and experience of someone who, for most of his life, knew nothing but boxing, who has succeeded in turning his back on a lifestyle that has so much appeal and yet has been the downfall of so many others like him. How long could the likes of Chávez and Durán have remained at the top had they been able to do the same?
There you have it. Our top three factors in the continued success of Manny Pacquiao. This is, of course, all speculation. It could be that the only thing responsible for Manny's success is Manny himself.
Maybe he's just that good.
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