What If?: Manny Pacquiao Competed in the 1970’s and 80’s – Part 1 of 3
By Dave “Mythical” Siderski
Manny Pacquiao is one of the two signature fighters of this generation. He’s competed in weight classes ranging from Flyweight to Jr. Middleweight, capturing world championships in a record eight weight classes over the course of his 20 year career. Although his most recent performance against Floyd Mayweather, JR. on May 2nd was a tremendous disappointment, he’s more than earned his status as an all-time great.
What would happen if we moved Manny’s career back to 25 years earlier? Then he’d be competing in the 1970’s and 80’s against the best fighters of that era, which included men such as Alexis Arguello, Ruben Olivares, Wilfredo Gomez, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, and Aaron Pryor among many others. How would Manny fare against the likes of those legends. Would he still be the most prolific multi-division champion in boxing history? Or would he be exposed as just another guy? Let’s explore this mythical scenario.
December 17, 1953: Our mythical timeline starts with the birth of Manny Pacquiao in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines.
January 22, 1970: A 16 year old Manny, weighing 106 lbs, turns pro with a 4 round unanimous decision victory over Jose Guelos.
February 1970 to June 1972: An unknown Pacquiao quietly toils over the next 28 months, building a record of 25-1-1, 16 KOs.
July 3, 1972, Tokyo, Japan
Manny Pacquiao vs Susumu Hanagata: Pacquiao faces his first major test against contender Susumu Hanagata. The 18 year old Pacquiao scores a surprising upset, outworking and outhustling Hanagata throughout the fight en route to a convincing 10 round decision victory.
Pacquiao wins UD 10
August to November 1972: Manny scores three straight knockout victories over Seiichi Watanuki (TKO 3), Fernando Cabanela (TKO 5), and Takeo Sugegawa (KO 1). He then signs to face WBA Flyweight Champion Masao Ohba.
December 8, 1972, Tokyo, Japan
Manny Pacquiao vs Masao Ohba: Pacquiao, now 29-1-1, 19 KOs, receives his first title shot against WBA Flyweight champion Ohba. He starts fast over the first three rounds, however, Ohba lands a counter right in the 4th which sends Manny to the canvas. This turns the tide of the fight. From there, it’s all Ohba. By the end of the 6th Pacquiao is badly cut over his right eye. The referee steps in and stops the fight in Round 7.
Ohba wins TKO 7
January to May 1973: Pacquiao moves up to Bantamweight and wins four consecutive fights against Mario Manrique (TKO 1), Alfredo Meneses (KO 1), Lupe Mendez (TKO 2), and Cesar Deciga (KO 1). He moves Los Angeles, California in the hopes of gaining more exposure and more lucrative financial opportunities.
June 8, 1973, The Forum, Inglewood, CA
Manny Pacquiao vs Paul Ferrari: In his first major test at 118, Pacquiao squares off against British Commonwealth champion Paul Ferrari. Pacquiao overwhelms Ferrari, dropping him three times in 72 seconds, forcing a stoppage.
Pacquiao wins TKO 1
July to October 1973: Pacquiao defeats Earl Large (TKO 4) and Carlos Mendoza (KO 3).
November 9, 1973, The Forum, Inglewood, CA
Manny Pacquiao vs Enrique Pinder: Manny challenges former Bantamweight champion, Pinder. This is a competitive, evenly contested fight before Pacquiao drops Pinder twice in the 9th round leading to a stoppage.
Pacquiao wins TKO 9
January to March 1974: Manny defeats Senin Rios (UD 10) and Emilio Salcedo (TKO 2). His record now stands at 39-2-1, 28 KOs
April 12, 1974, The Forum, Inglewood, CA
Manny Pacquiao vs Carlos Zarate: In a highly anticipated matchup, Pacquiao faces off against undefeated Mexican power punching sensation Carlos Zarate, who comes in with a record of 25-0, 24 KOs. Pacquiao stuns a slow starting Zarate and drops him three times in the first round with his straight left. Zarate lands a vicious left hook to the liver which drops Pacquiao towards the end of round two. The fighters go toe to toe in a hotly contested third before Pacquiao lands the finisher, an overhand left which sends Zarate down for the count.
Pacquiao wins KO 3
May to September 1974: Manny defeats Victor Ramirez (TKO 2) and Arturo Leon Hernandez (TKO 3) improving his record to 42-2-1, 31 KOs.
October 11, 1974: The Forum, Inglewood, CA
Manny Pacquiao vs Carlos Zarate II: Pacquiao again dominates the first two rounds, dropping Zarate twice in the second. However, Zarate turns the tide with vicious body punching in the third. A vicious left hook, right cross combination puts Manny to sleep in the 4th!
Zarate wins KO 4
November 1974 to March 1975: Pacquiao moves up to Featherweight and defeats Juilo Leal (TKO 6) and Pedro Jimenez (KO 1) improving his record to 44-3-1, 33 KOs.
April 12, 1975, Olympic Auditorium. Los Angeles, CA
Manny Pacquiao vs Art Hafey: Manny dominates from start to finish, however, the rugged Hafey lasts the distance.
Pacquiao wins UD 10
May to July 1975: Pacquiao defeats Chuy Rodriguez (TKO 2) and Cornelio Vega (TKO 6). Manny’s record stands at 47-3-1, 35 KOs.
August 9, 1975, The Forum, Inglewood, CA
Manny Pacquiao vs Alexis Arguello: In his first appearance on network television, Manny Pacquiao challenges WBA Featherweight champion Alexis Arguello. Pacquiao dominates the first three rounds and drops Arguello with a straight left in the fourth. However, Arguello begins to find Pacquiao with his precision counterpunches over the next four rounds, gradually wearing him down. In the 9th, a devastating right sends Pacquiao crashing to the canvas. Arguello proceeds to land 14 unanswered punches, prompting the referee to step in and stop the fight.
Arguello wins TKO 9
October 1, 1975, Quezon City, Philippines
Manny Pacquiao vs Shig Fukuyama: On the undercard of Ali-Frazier III, Pacquiao starches Featherweight contender Fukuyama in just two rounds.
Pacquiao wins KO 2
February 7, 1976, Manilla, Philippines
Manny Pacquiao vs Art Hafey II: In the rematch, Pacquiao destroys Hafey in 97 seconds.
Pacquiao wins TKO 1
March 8, 1976: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA
Manny Pacquiao vs Benjamin Ortiz: Pacquiao easily dispatches Ortiz in the second round.
Pacquiao wins TKO 2
May 7, 1976: The Forum, Inglewood, CA
Manny Pacquiao vs Ruben Olivares: Manny is just too young and quick for Olivares, dropping him five times en route to a second round stoppage.
Pacquiao wins TKO 2
August 7, 1976: Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana
Manny Pacquiao vs David Kotei: Manny challenges Kotei for the WBC Featherweight championship. It’s an early night as Pacquiao swarms and overwhelms Kotei from the start, dropping him twice en route to a stoppage at 1:47 of the first round. Pacquiao captures the WBC Featherweight championship! His record now stands at 52-4-1, 40 KOs
Pacquiao wins TKO 1
This concludes Part 1 of our 3 part “What if Manny Pacquiao competed in the 1970’s and 80’s. Next Manny really steps up his level of competition and faces a series of legendary fighters in Part 2. Will Pacquiao rise to the challenge? Stay tuned and find out!
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