Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Manny Pacquiao

How Manny Pacquiao built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Manny Pacquiao, a.k.a. "PacMan", is a Filipino icon renowned as one of boxing's all-time greats. He holds the distinction of being the only eight-division world champion in boxing history. Beyond his boxing achievements, Pacquiao transitioned into politics, serving as a senator of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

January 1995: Pacquiao Makes Professional Boxing Debut

In January 1995, at the age of 16, Manny Pacquiao made his professional boxing debut as a junior flyweight.

December 4, 1998: Pacquiao Wins First Major Title

On December 4, 1998, at the age of 19, Manny Pacquiao won his first major title, the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title.

August 2002: Pacquiao Participates in Exhibition Match

In August 2002, Manny Pacquiao participated in an exhibition match against former world champion Jesus Salud, which he won.

2003: Pacquiao Enters Ring's Pound for Pound List

Manny Pacquiao joined The Ring's pound for pound list in 2003.

December 2005: Took lead role in "Lisensyadong Kamao"

In December 2005, Manny Pacquiao took his first lead role in Violett Films' "Lisensyadong Kamao" (Licensed Fist).

2005: Start of Pacquiao's Consecutive Title Fight Victories

2005 marks the start of Manny Pacquiao having the most consecutive boxing world title fight victories at different weights.

April 27, 2006: Enlisted as Military Reservist

On April 27, 2006, Manny Pacquiao enlisted as a military reservist in the Philippine Army as a sergeant.

June 21, 2006: Released "Pacquiao: The Movie"

On June 21, 2006, "Pacquiao: The Movie", a film based on Manny Pacquiao's life starring Jericho Rosales, was released. It was directed by Joel Lamangan but flopped at the box office.

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2006: Started releasing albums

In 2006, Manny Pacquiao began releasing albums.

February 12, 2007: Announced campaign for Philippine House seat

On February 12, 2007, Manny Pacquiao announced his campaign for a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives for the 1st District of South Cotabato province, running as a candidate of the Liberal Party faction, later running under KAMPI after being forced to by the courts.

September 2007: Signed with GMA Network as actor and host

In September 2007, Manny Pacquiao signed with GMA Network as an actor and host after the expiration of his contract with ABS-CBN.

October 7, 2007: Promotion to Master Sergeant

On October 7, 2007, Manny Pacquiao was promoted to Master Sergeant in the Reserve Force of the Philippine Army.

2007: Enrolled at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University

In 2007, Manny Pacquiao enrolled at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) to pursue a bachelor's degree in business administration, majoring in marketing management.

November 2008: Featured on Reader's Digest Asia Cover

In November 2008, Manny Pacquiao was featured on the cover of Reader's Digest Asia, which included a seven-page story about his boxing career and life before his fight against De La Hoya.

2008: Continued Studies at NDDU

In 2008, Manny Pacquiao continued his studies at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) under the bachelor's degree program of business administration major in marketing management. However, he did not complete the program.

2008: Starred in "Anak ng Kumander"

In 2008, Manny Pacquiao starred with Ara Mina and Valerie Concepcion in "Anak ng Kumander" (Child of a Commander). The movie was not commercially successful and received negative reviews.

May 4, 2009: Designated Command Sergeant Major

On May 4, 2009, Manny Pacquiao was given the special rank of Senior Master Sergeant and was designated as the Command Sergeant Major of the 15th Ready Reserve Division.

November 3, 2009: Performed "Sometimes When We Touch" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

On November 3, 2009, Manny Pacquiao covered "Sometimes When We Touch", originally by Dan Hill, on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, marking his first singing performance on American TV.

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November 21, 2009: Announced run for congressional seat in Sarangani

On November 21, 2009, Manny Pacquiao announced his intention to run for a congressional seat in Sarangani province.

December 25, 2009: Released "Wapakman" as film festival entry

On December 25, 2009, Manny Pacquiao's superhero/comedy film, "Wapakman", was released as an entry to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film was not commercially successful.

March 3, 2010: Covered "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

On March 3, 2010, Manny Pacquiao returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! to cover another song, "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You".

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May 2010: Elected to House of Representatives

In May 2010, Manny Pacquiao was elected to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines, representing Sarangani province, defeating Roy Chiongbian.

June 25, 2010: Completes Crash Course

On June 25, 2010, Manny Pacquiao completed a 10-day crash course on Development Legislation and Governance at the Development Academy of the Philippines.

November 13, 2010: Pacquiao Wins WBC Super Welterweight Title

On November 13, 2010, Manny Pacquiao defeated Antonio Margarito to win the WBC Super Welterweight title, marking his eighth world title in different weight divisions.

2010: Pacquiao Enters Politics

In 2010, Manny Pacquiao entered politics and was elected as the representative of Sarangani.

2010: Elected as Congressman

In 2010, Manny Pacquiao was elected as the congressman representing the lone district of Sarangani.

April 2011: Released single, reached Billboard chart

In April 2011, Manny Pacquiao released Dan Hill's "Sometimes When We Touch" as a single, which reached number 19 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, making him one of the few Southeast Asians to enter a US Billboard chart.

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2011: End of Pacquiao's Consecutive Title Fight Victories

2011 marks the end of Manny Pacquiao having the most consecutive boxing world title fight victories at different weights.

2012: Pacquiao's Pound for Pound Rating Ends

Manny Pacquiao was rated as the best active boxer in the world, pound for pound, until his losses in 2012.

2013: Re-elected to 16th Congress of the Philippines

In 2013, Manny Pacquiao was re-elected to the 16th Congress of the Philippines, running unopposed. His wife, Jinkee, was elected as vice-governor of Sarangani.

April 17, 2014: Pacquiao Joins Philippine Basketball Association

On April 17, 2014, Manny Pacquiao announced his intention to join the Philippine Basketball Association as the playing coach of Kia Motors Basketball team.

2014: Pacquiao Becomes Player-Coach in PBA

From 2014 to 2017, Manny Pacquiao was the player-coach for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team Kia/Mahindra.

February 18, 2015: Pacquiao Scores One Point Against Purefoods

On February 18, 2015, Manny Pacquiao played briefly and scored one point when the Sorento pulled a 95–84 upset against Purefoods.

April 15, 2015: Released "Kid Kulafu"

On April 15, 2015, "Kid Kulafu", a film based on Manny Pacquiao's early life in boxing starring Buboy Villar, was released. It dramatizes his life during childhood.

May 2, 2015: Pacquiao Sets Pay-Per-View and Ticket Sales Records

On May 2, 2015, Manny Pacquiao recorded the highest-selling pay-per-view boxing match in a Welterweight title fight and the highest revenue earned from ticket sales for a boxing match, both at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

October 5, 2015: Declared candidacy for senator

On October 5, 2015, Manny Pacquiao formally declared his candidacy for senator under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party.

October 25, 2015: Pacquiao Makes First Field Goal in PBA

On October 25, 2015, Manny Pacquiao made his first field goal in the PBA in a 108–94 loss against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

2015: Pacquiao's Fights Generate $1.2 Billion in Revenue

As of 2015, Manny Pacquiao's fights had generated $1.2 billion in revenue from 25 pay-per-view bouts.

2015: Released extended play and announced retirement from music

In 2015, Manny Pacquiao released an extended play featuring his recorded entrance song for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and shortly announced his retirement from music.

2015: Pacquiao Signs with Top Rank

Manny Pacquiao signed with Bob Arum's Top Rank from 2015 to 2017.

2015: Continued releasing albums

Until 2015, Manny Pacquiao continued to release albums.

May 19, 2016: Elected as senator

On May 19, 2016, Manny Pacquiao was formally elected as a senator by the Commission on Elections, garnering over 16 million votes and landing in 7th place.

August 21, 2016: Pacquiao Scores Career-High and First Three-Point Field Goal

On August 21, 2016, Manny Pacquiao scored a career-high four points in a 97–88 victory against the Blackwater Elite, also sinking the first three-point field goal in his career.

September 18, 2016: Facilitated ouster of Leila de Lima from Senate committee

On September 18, 2016, Manny Pacquiao, aligned with the Duterte government, facilitated the ouster of Leila de Lima from the chairmanship of the Senate Justice committee.

2016: Executive Coaching Program

From June 8 to 17, 2016, Manny Pacquiao underwent a 9-day Executive Coaching Program crash course conducted by various institutions after winning a senate seat.

2016: Pacquiao Declines Opportunity to Compete in Olympics

In 2016, Manny Pacquiao had the opportunity to compete in the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but decided not to.

2016: Pacquiao Becomes a Senator

In 2016, Manny Pacquiao was elected and assumed office as a senator in the Philippines.

2016: End of Term as Congressman

In 2016, Manny Pacquiao's term as the congressman representing the lone district of Sarangani concluded.

2016: Pacquiao Leaves Ring's Pound for Pound List

Manny Pacquiao was the longest reigning top-ten active boxer on The Ring's pound for pound list until 2016.

April 2017: Pacquiao Attempts to Settle Tax Case

In April 2017, Pacquiao, who was then a senator, approached Philippine authorities to settle his tax case with the BIR. The BIR maintained that taxes were due even if taxes were paid to the IRS.

2017: Defended Paolo Duterte in drug shipment allegations

In 2017, Manny Pacquiao defended then-Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte from allegations of involvement in a seized ₱6.4-billion drug shipment from Xiamen, China.

2017: Pacquiao Founds Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

In 2017, Manny Pacquiao founded the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, initially a semi-professional league.

2017: Pacquiao Ends Top Rank Contract

Manny Pacquiao's contract ended with Bob Arum's Top Rank in 2017.

2018: Filed Senate bills and backed capital punishment

As of 2018, Manny Pacquiao had filed a total of 31 Senate bills during the 17th Congress and backed the return of capital punishment in a bill filed alongside Senator Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go.

2018: Pacquiao Retires from PBA

In 2018, Manny Pacquiao officially announced his retirement from the Philippine Basketball Association after playing just ten games in three seasons.

2018: Pacquiao Signs with Premier Boxing Champions

In 2018, Manny Pacquiao signed with Al Haymon's Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) promotion.

June 2019: Worst attendance record among senators

In June 2019, data released by the Philippine Senate showed that Manny Pacquiao had the worst attendance record among all senators in the 17th Congress. Despite this poor attendance, he managed to enact four laws from the bills he filed.

July 2019: Pacquiao Wins WBA Welterweight Title

In July 2019, at the age of 40, Manny Pacquiao became the oldest welterweight world champion in history and the first boxer to become a recognized four-time welterweight champion by defeating Keith Thurman and winning the WBA (Super) welterweight title.

July 20, 2019: Pacquiao Becomes Oldest Welterweight Champion

On July 20, 2019, Manny Pacquiao became the oldest welterweight boxing world champion when he claimed the WBA Welterweight title at the age of 40 years and 215 days.

December 11, 2019: Graduation from the University of Makati

On December 11, 2019, Manny Pacquiao graduated from the University of Makati with a bachelor's degree in political science, majoring in local government administration.

2019: Announced plan to own an NBA team

In 2019, Manny Pacquiao announced his plans to own an NBA team after retiring from boxing.

June 2020: Expressed intention to run for president in 2022

As early as June 2020, Manny Pacquiao's former promoter Bob Arum revealed that Pacquiao expressed his intention to run for president in 2022, leading to widespread speculations about a presidential bid.

December 2020: Became acting party president of PDP–Laban

In December 2020, Manny Pacquiao became the acting party president of PDP–Laban after Koko Pimentel resigned. However, the position was later disputed between Pacquiao and Alfonso Cusi.

2020: Worked with Jack Ma to bring COVID-19 test kits to Philippines

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Manny Pacquiao collaborated with Alibaba Group co-founder Jack Ma to facilitate the delivery of 50,000 COVID-19 test kits to the Philippines through their respective charity foundations.

2020: Pacquiao Becomes Leader of PDP-Laban Party

In 2020, Manny Pacquiao became the leader of the then-ruling PDP–Laban party.

2020: Pacquiao Signs with Paradigm Sports Management

In 2020, Manny Pacquiao signed with Paradigm Sports Management.

2020: Cast as General Miguel Malvar in biopic

In 2020, Manny Pacquiao was cast to portray General Miguel Malvar in the upcoming biopic film "Malvar: Tuloy ang Laban," which generated mixed reactions from the Malvar family.

May 2021: Filed bill proposing Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission

In May 2021, Senator Pacquiao filed a bill proposing to create the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission. Senator Pia Cayetano criticized the timing of the proposal during the coronavirus pandemic.

June 2021: Criticized Duterte's response to China's claims in South China Sea

In June 2021, Manny Pacquiao criticized President Duterte's response to China's claims in the South China Sea, leading to a rebuke from Duterte and a challenge to name corrupt individuals or agencies.

September 19, 2021: Pacquiao Declares Candidacy for President

On September 19, 2021, Manny Pacquiao officially declared his candidacy for President of the Philippines in the 2022 presidential election.

September 29, 2021: Pacquiao Announces Retirement from Boxing

On September 29, 2021, Manny Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing via a post on social media.

2021: Involvement in video games

In 2021, Filipino game developer Ranida Games announced that a mobile game revolving around Manny Pacquiao's boxing career, "Fighting Pride: The Manny Pacquiao Saga" is in the works.

2021: Paradigm Sports Management Lawsuit

In 2021, Paradigm Sports Management filed a lawsuit against Manny Pacquiao. The lawsuit alleged he breached their exclusive management contract by having multiple management companies negotiating boxing matches simultaneously.

March 2022: Challenged Bongbong Marcos to a debate

In March 2022, amid news about Bongbong Marcos' unsettled estate tax dues, Manny Pacquiao challenged Marcos to a one-on-one debate and criticized those who would vote for a "plunderer."

March 2022: Struggled in presidential surveys

Since the campaign period started in February, Manny Pacquiao had struggled in the presidential surveys with low ratings ranking fourth to fifth among the candidates, dropping to as low as 1.8 percent on the March 2022 poll by Publicus Asia and 8 percent on Pulse Asia with his disapproval rating going up.

May 2022: Called for the release of Senator Leila De Lima

In May 2022, Manny Pacquiao called for the "speedy release" of fellow Senator Leila De Lima, who had been detained for five years, after witnesses against De Lima retracted their testimony.

2022: Graduation with Master's Degree

In 2022, Manny Pacquiao graduated from Philippine Christian University with a master's degree in management, majoring in public administration.

2022: Pacquiao Loses Presidential Election

In 2022, Manny Pacquiao lost the presidential election to Bongbong Marcos.

2022: Potential negative campaign in 2022 elections

In 2022, President Duterte challenged Pacquiao to name certain individuals or agencies, otherwise he will launch a negative campaign against the senator in the 2022 elections.

2022: Presidential run speculations

In 2022, speculations spread around a possible Manny Pacquiao run for president, backed by his own expression of interest in a presidential bid.

2022: Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Turns Professional

In 2022, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, founded by Manny Pacquiao, turned professional.

May 2023: Paradigm Sports Management Wins Lawsuit

In early May 2023, the Orange County Superior Court ruled in favor of Paradigm Sports Management in their lawsuit against Manny Pacquiao. The court ordered Pacquiao to pay $5.1 million plus attorney fees.

September 23, 2023: Emmanuel Bacosa Boxing Debut

On September 23, 2023, Emmanuel "Eman" Bacosa, Pacquiao's son, made his boxing debut, which ended in a draw, following in his father's footsteps.

December 15, 2023: Emmanuel Bacosa Wins Boxing Match

On December 15, 2023, Emmanuel "Eman" Bacosa dedicated his win against Noel Pangantao to his father, Manny Pacquiao.

July 28, 2024: Pacquiao's Exhibition Bout on Super RIZIN 3 Ends in Draw

On July 28, 2024, Manny Pacquiao made his debut on Super RIZIN 3 in an exhibition featherweight bout against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo, which ended in a draw as there was no judge's decision.

August 2024: Verdict Overturned in Paradigm Sports Lawsuit

In August 2024, the verdict against Manny Pacquiao in the Paradigm Sports Management lawsuit was overturned. The court found that Audie Attar did not hold a management license when signing the contract.

September 26, 2024: Named senatorial candidate for Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas

On September 26, 2024, Manny Pacquiao was named as a senatorial candidate for the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas in the 2025 elections, running under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

October 7, 2024: Formalized bid for senator

On October 7, 2024, Manny Pacquiao formalized his bid for senator by filing his certificate of candidacy.

2024: Pacquiao Disallowed from Competing in Olympics

In 2024, Manny Pacquiao signified his interest to qualify for the Summer Olympics in France but was disallowed to participate due to the IOC upholding the 40-year-old age limit.

July 2025: Pacquiao's Bout Against Mario Barrios

Manny Pacquiao's most recent bout was against Mario Barrios in July 2025.

2025: Pacquiao Retires from Politics

Following his unsuccessful campaign in the 2025 Senate election, Manny Pacquiao announced his intention to retire from politics and came out of retirement from boxing.

2025: Lost bid for senate

In 2025, Manny Pacquiao would eventually lose his bid for the senate, placing 18th, garnering 10,397,133 votes. He has considered leaving politics after returning to boxing.