Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Manny Pacquiao
How Manny Pacquiao built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Manny Pacquiao, nicknamed "PacMan", is a Filipino icon celebrated as one of boxing's all-time greats. He holds the distinction of being the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, demonstrating unparalleled versatility and skill across weight classes. Beyond his boxing achievements, Pacquiao also served as a senator of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, showcasing his commitment to public service and his nation.
January 1995: 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: Won 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: Exhibition Match Win
In August 2002, Manny Pacquiao participated in an exhibition match against former world champion Jesus Salud, which he won.
2003: Start of Pound for Pound Reign
From 2003, Manny Pacquiao began his climb to lightweight and was rated as the best active boxer in the world, pound for pound.
December 2005: Pacquiao stars in "Lisensyadong Kamao"
In December 2005, Manny Pacquiao took his first lead role in the film "Lisensyadong Kamao" (Licensed Fist).
2005: Start of Consecutive Title Fight Victories
From 2005, Manny Pacquiao began his 15 consecutive boxing world title fight victories at different weights.
April 27, 2006: Enlistment as Military Reservist
On April 27, 2006, Manny Pacquiao enlisted as a military reservist in the Philippine Army with the rank of sergeant.
June 21, 2006: Release of "Pacquiao: The Movie"
On June 21, 2006, "Pacquiao: The Movie", a film based on Manny Pacquiao's life starring Jericho Rosales, was released but flopped at the box office.
2006: Manny Pacquiao's albums
In 2006 Manny Pacquiao launched his albums.
February 12, 2007: Pacquiao announces congressional campaign
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.
September 2007: Pacquiao signs with GMA Network
In September 2007, Manny Pacquiao signed with GMA Network as an actor and host after his contract with ABS-CBN expired.
October 7, 2007: Promotion to Master Sergeant
On October 7, 2007, Manny Pacquiao was promoted to Master Sergeant, the highest rank for enlisted personnel, in the Reserve Force of the Philippine Army.
November 2008: Featured on Reader's Digest Asia Cover
In November 2008, Manny Pacquiao was featured on the cover of Reader's Digest Asia, with a seven-page story highlighting his boxing career and achievements. The issue came out before Pacquiao's fight against De La Hoya.
2008: Pacquiao stars in "Anak ng Kumander"
In 2008, Manny Pacquiao starred in "Anak ng Kumander" with Ara Mina and Valerie Concepcion. The movie was not a commercial success and received negative reviews.
May 4, 2009: Special Rank of Senior Master Sergeant
On May 4, 2009, Manny Pacquiao was given the special rank of Senior Master Sergeant and designated as the Command Sergeant Major of the 15th Ready Reserve Division.
November 3, 2009: Pacquiao sings "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.
November 21, 2009: Pacquiao announces congressional run in Sarangani
On November 21, 2009, Manny Pacquiao announced his second run for a congressional seat, this time in Sarangani province.
December 25, 2009: Pacquiao stars in "Wapakman"
On December 25, 2009, Manny Pacquiao starred in the superhero/comedy film "Wapakman", which was released as an entry to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival. It was not commercially successful.
March 3, 2010: Pacquiao sings "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 "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You".
May 2010: Pacquiao 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 the province of Sarangani.
June 25, 2010: Completion of Development Legislation and Governance 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 (DAP).
November 13, 2010: Won WBC Super Welterweight Title
On November 13, 2010, Manny Pacquiao won the WBC Super Welterweight title, marking his eighth world title in different weight divisions.
2010: Pacquiao's speech on human trafficking and criticism on reproductive health bill
In 2010, Manny Pacquiao delivered a praised speech on human trafficking but faced criticism for being uninformed during a discussion on the reproductive health bill.
2010: Elected as Representative of Sarangani
In 2010, Manny Pacquiao entered politics and was elected as the representative of Sarangani.
April 2011: Pacquiao records "Sometimes When We Touch" as a single
In April 2011, Manny Pacquiao recorded Dan Hill's "Sometimes When We Touch" as a single, which reached number 19 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
2011: End of Consecutive Title Fight Victories
In 2011, Manny Pacquiao's 15 consecutive boxing world title fight victories at different weights ended.
2012: End of Pound for Pound Reign
Manny Pacquiao was long rated as the best active boxer in the world, pound for pound, until his losses in 2012.
2013: Pacquiao re-elected to Congress, wife elected vice-governor
In 2013, Manny Pacquiao was re-elected to the 16th Congress of the Philippines, running unopposed. His wife, Jinkee, was also elected as vice-governor of Sarangani.
April 17, 2014: Joined 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.
September 4, 2014: Trained with Golden State Warriors
On September 4, 2014, Manny Pacquiao trained with the Golden State Warriors at their training facility in preparation for his PBA stint.
2014: Player-Coach in PBA
From 2014, Manny Pacquiao served as the player-coach for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team Kia/Mahindra.
February 18, 2015: Pacquiao scores one point in basketball game, Daniel Orton comments
On February 18, 2015, Manny Pacquiao scored one point in a basketball game. Former NBA player Daniel Orton commented that Pacquiao playing professional basketball was a "joke", leading to Orton being fined and replaced.
May 2, 2015: Pay-Per-View and Ticket Sales Records
On May 2, 2015, Manny Pacquiao's welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas set records for highest selling pay-per-view boxing match and highest revenue earned from ticket sales for a boxing match.
October 5, 2015: Pacquiao declares 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 the PBA
On October 25, 2015, Manny Pacquiao made his first field goal in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) during a game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
2015: $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: Signed with Top Rank
From 2015, Manny Pacquiao signed with Bob Arum's Top Rank.
2015: Pacquiao releases EP, announces retirement from music
In 2015, Manny Pacquiao released an extended play (EP) featuring his recorded entrance song for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and announced his retirement from music.
May 19, 2016: Pacquiao elected as a senator
On May 19, 2016, Manny Pacquiao was formally elected as a senator by the Commission on Elections, garnering over 16 million votes.
August 21, 2016: Pacquiao scores career-high four points and first three-point field goal
On August 21, 2016, Manny Pacquiao scored a career-high four points in a basketball game against the Blackwater Elite, also making his first three-point field goal.
September 18, 2016: Pacquiao facilitates ouster of Leila de Lima from Senate committee
On September 18, 2016, Manny Pacquiao 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 another 9-day Executive Coaching Program crash course conducted by several institutions after he won a senate seat.
2016: Elected as Senator
In 2016, Manny Pacquiao was elected as a senator of the Philippines.
2016: End of Top-Ten Reign
In 2016, Manny Pacquiao's reign as the longest top-ten active boxer on The Ring's pound for pound list came to an end.
2016: End of Term as Congressman of Sarangani
In 2016, Manny Pacquiao's term as the congressman representing the lone district of Sarangani ended. He then returned his official residence to General Santos upon his election to the Senate.
2016: Declined 2016 Olympics
Manny Pacquiao had the opportunity to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro but decided not to compete.
2017: End of Top Rank contract
In 2017 Manny Pacquiao contract with Bob Arum's Top Rank ended.
2017: Pacquiao defends Paolo Duterte in Senate hearing
In 2017, Manny Pacquiao defended then-Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte from allegations related to a seized shipment of illegal drugs during a Senate hearing.
2017: Pacquiao founds Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
In 2017, Manny Pacquiao founded the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), which started as a semi-professional league.
2017: End of PBA Coaching Career
In 2017, Manny Pacquiao's tenure as player-coach for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team Kia/Mahindra ended.
2018: Pacquiao files Senate bills, backs 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 other senators.
2018: Pacquiao retires from basketball league
In 2018, Manny Pacquiao officially announced his retirement from the basketball league after playing ten games over three seasons.
2018: Signed with Premier Boxing Champions
In 2018, Manny Pacquiao signed with Al Haymon's Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) promotion.
June 2019: Pacquiao has worst attendance record in Senate, enacts four laws
In June 2019, data showed that Manny Pacquiao had the worst attendance record among senators in the 17th Congress, though he managed to enact four laws from the bills he filed.
July 2019: Welterweight Champion
In July 2019, at the age of 40, Manny Pacquiao became the oldest welterweight world champion in history after defeating Keith Thurman, also becoming the first four-time welterweight champion.
July 20, 2019: Oldest Welterweight Champion
On July 20, 2019, Manny Pacquiao became the oldest welterweight boxing world champion at 40 years and 215 days old.
2019: Pacquiao announces plans to own an NBA team
In 2019, Manny Pacquiao announced his plans to own an NBA team after retiring from boxing.
June 2020: Bob Arum says Pacquiao expressed interest in running for president in 2022
In June 2020, Manny Pacquiao's former promoter, Bob Arum, stated that Pacquiao expressed his intention to run for president in 2022.
December 2020: Pacquiao becomes acting party president of PDP–Laban
In December 2020, Manny Pacquiao became acting party president of PDP–Laban after Koko Pimentel resigned, though the position was later disputed.
2020: Pacquiao helps bring COVID-19 test kits to the Philippines
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Manny Pacquiao collaborated with Jack Ma of Alibaba Group to facilitate the delivery of 50,000 COVID-19 test kits to the Philippines through their respective charity foundations.
2020: Became Leader of PDP-Laban Party
In 2020, Manny Pacquiao became the leader of the PDP–Laban party.
2020: Signed with Paradigm Sports Management
In 2020, Manny Pacquiao signed with Paradigm Sports Management.
2020: Pacquiao 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: Pacquiao files bill for Boxing and Combat Sports Commission, criticized by Senator Cayetano
In May 2021, Senator Manny Pacquiao filed a bill proposing to create the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission, which was criticized by Senator Pia Cayetano for its timing during the coronavirus pandemic.
June 2021: Pacquiao criticizes 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.
September 19, 2021: Presidential Candidacy Declaration
On September 19, 2021, Manny Pacquiao officially declared his candidacy for President of the Philippines in the 2022 Philippine presidential election.
September 29, 2021: Retirement from Boxing
On September 29, 2021, Manny Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing.
2021: Inspiration for Paquito in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
In 2021, the playable character Paquito in the mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, was inspired by Manny Pacquiao. A skin was created to change the character's appearance to resemble the boxer. Also in 2021, Ranida Games announced the development of "Fighting Pride: The Manny Pacquiao Saga", a mobile game based on Pacquiao's boxing career.
March 2022: Pacquiao challenges Bongbong Marcos to a debate, loses election
In March 2022, Manny Pacquiao openly challenged Bongbong Marcos to a one-on-one debate regarding unsettled estate tax dues. Pacquiao placed third in the election and conceded to Marcos.
March 2022: Pacquiao's low ratings in presidential surveys
In March 2022, Manny Pacquiao struggled in the presidential surveys, receiving low ratings and a rising disapproval rating.
May 2022: Pacquiao calls for release of Senator Leila De Lima
In May 2022, Manny Pacquiao called for the "speedy release" of Senator Leila De Lima after witnesses against her retracted their testimony.
2022: Presidential Election Loss
In 2022, Manny Pacquiao lost the presidential election in the Philippines to Bongbong Marcos.
2022: End of Senate Term
In 2022, Manny Pacquiao's term as a senator of the Philippines came to an end.
2022: Duterte challenges Pacquiao
In 2022, President Duterte challenged Manny Pacquiao to name corrupt individuals in the government, threatening a negative campaign against him in the upcoming elections.
2022: Speculations around Pacquiao running for president
In 2022, speculations spread around a possible Manny Pacquiao run for president, backed by his own expression of interest in a presidential bid.
2022: MPBL turns professional
In 2022, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), founded by Manny Pacquiao, transitioned into a professional league.
July 28, 2024: Super RIZIN 3 Debut
On July 28, 2024, Manny Pacquiao debuted on Super RIZIN 3 in an exhibition featherweight bout against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo, ending in a draw.
September 26, 2024: Pacquiao named senatorial candidate for 2025 elections
On September 26, 2024, Manny Pacquiao was named as a senatorial candidate for the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas in the 2025 elections.
October 7, 2024: Pacquiao files candidacy for senator
On October 7, 2024, Manny Pacquiao formalized his bid for senator by filing his certificate of candidacy.
2024: Failed Olympics Qualification
In 2024, Manny Pacquiao signified his interest to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in France, but was disallowed to participate due to the age limit.
July 2025: Bout against Mario Barrios
In July 2025, Manny Pacquiao's most recent bout was against Mario Barrios.
October 2025: IBA Vice President
In October 2025, Manny Pacquiao was appointed as vice president of the International Boxing Association.
2025: Senate Election Loss and Boxing Comeback
Following an unsuccessful campaign in the 2025 Senate election, Manny Pacquiao announced his intention to retire from politics and came out of retirement from boxing.
2025: Pacquiao loses senatorial bid
In 2025, Manny Pacquiao lost his bid for the Senate, placing 18th in the election. He has considered leaving politics after returning to boxing.
Mentioned in this timeline
Basketball is a team sport played on a rectangular court...
LeBron James nicknamed King James is an American professional basketball...
Jack Ma Yun is a prominent Chinese businessman and philanthropist...
Kobe Bryant a legendary shooting guard dedicated his -year NBA...
Angelina Jolie is a prominent American actress filmmaker and humanitarian...
Mike Tyson nicknamed Iron Mike is a former American professional...
Trending
52 minutes ago Google Maps to fully function in South Korea after data agreement.
2 hours ago CDC Panel to Discuss COVID-19 Vaccine Injuries Following RFK Jr.'s Meeting
52 minutes ago CDC Panel to Discuss COVID Vaccine Injuries Following RFK Jr.'s Meeting
2 hours ago Casey Means' Surgeon General Nomination Faces Scrutiny Over Mainstream Medicine Criticism and Birth Control Views.
3 hours ago Punch, the lonely baby monkey, goes viral and wins hearts worldwide.
4 hours ago Jon Hamm Discovers Viral Dancing Meme; Reacts to Meme-Worthy Status at 54.
Popular
Jesse Jackson is an American civil rights activist politician and...
Barack Obama the th U S President - was the...
Susan Rice is an American diplomat and public official prominent...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
Kashyap Pramod Patel is an American lawyer who became the...