Philippines’ seven-division world champion and currently Saranggani Representative Manny “Pac-man” Pacquiao was ranked 25th in Yahoo Sports’ Top 100 Boxing’s Most Influential Figures List prepared by its boxing/mixed martial arts columnist Kevin Iole.
By: Geoff Latayan
Pacquiao, who has a record of 51 wins, 38 by knockouts, 3 losses and 2 draws, was chosen by Iole in this elite cast. Iole mentioned in his column: (Manny Pacquiao is) “One of the elite active boxers whose passionate Asian following has helped make him an international superstar and fodder for non-traditional boxing media such as CNN, Time Magazine and GQ.”
Pacquiao, who will have a bout with Antonio Margarito on November 13 (November 14, Manila time) in Cowboys Stadium for the vacant WBC light middleweight championship, has started as a 106 pound boxer before becoming the top boxer of the world today. He won his first world title, the WBC Flyweight crown over Thai champion Chatchai Sasakul via an eight round stoppage. Then, he annexed his second crown, the IBF superbantamweight title as he pulverized Lehlohonoholo Ledwaba in six rounds.
The Kibawe-born Pacquiao would win a third legitimate crown with a split decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC Superfeatherweight diadem then he would get the WBC Lightweight belt over David Diaz. He would get his fifth legitimate crown, the WBO Welterweight title as he stopped Miguel Cotto.
Pac-man, as boxing experts call him, also captured the Ring Magazine’s People’s Featherweight tiara by stopping Marco Antonio Barrera and won the less-recognized IBO Light welterweight crown by knocking out Ricky Hatton.
Iole’s list include boxers, matchmakers, promoters, referees, journalists and other people that helped make the sport evolve to what it is now. Topping the list is heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali. Ranked second, on the other hand, is Joe Louis, another heavyweight who held the title in almost twelve years.
Promoters got Iole’s nod for third, fourth and fifth places with Tex Rickard, Pac-man’s promoter Bob Arum and Don King placing at that order.
Rounding out the top 10 were boxers Sugar Ray Robinson (sixth), Jack Dempsey (seventh) and Jack Johnson (eighth); television programmer Seth Abraham of HBO (ninth) and broadcaster Howard Cosell, who covered Ali’s fights including Ali’s battle to avoid the Vietnam War (tenth).
Other notable boxers in the list were “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, Rocky Marciano, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Mike Tyson, Oscar dela Hoya, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Henry Armstrong, Tommy Hearns, Joe Frazier and Floyd Mayweather Jr., who was ranked 70th by Iole, who also included the likes of writer Bert Sugar, referee Arthur Mercante Sr., and WBC top boss Jose Sulaiman.
