Manny Pacquiao facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao in 2025
Senator of the Philippines
In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Chair of the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee
In office September 18, 2018 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Tito Sotto
Succeeded by	Nancy Binay
Chair of the Senate Public Works Committee
In office July 25, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Bongbong Marcos
Succeeded by	Bong Revilla
Member of the House of Representatives from Sarangani's district
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Erwin Chiongbian
Succeeded by	Rogelio Pacquiao
Personal details
Born	Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao (1978-12-17) December 17, 1978 (age 47) Kibawe, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines
Political party	PFP (2024–present) PCM (local party; 2009–present)
Spouse	Jinkee Jamora ​ (m. 1999)​
Relations	Bobby Pacquiao (brother)
Children	6 (including Eman)
Alma mater	Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (no degree) University of Makati (BA) Philippine Christian University (MPA)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Philippines
Branch/service	Philippine Army
Rank	Colonel (reserve)
Manny Pacquiao Statistics Nickname(s) PacMan Height 5 ft 5 in Reach 67 in Stance Southpaw Boxing record Total fights 73 Wins 62 Wins by KO 39 Losses 8 Draws 3

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao Sr. (born December 17, 1978) is a famous Filipino professional boxer and former politician. People often call him "PacMan." Many consider him one of the greatest boxers ever. He is the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight classes! He also served as a senator in the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.

Pacquiao won twelve major world boxing titles. He was a champion in four different weight classes, including flyweight and welterweight. He is also the only boxer to hold world championships across four decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s). In July 2019, at 40 years old, he became the oldest welterweight world champion. His fights generated over $1.2 billion in revenue from pay-per-view events. Forbes magazine listed him as one of the world's highest-paid athletes. In 2024, ESPN named him the greatest Asian athlete of the 21st century. In 2025, The Ring magazine ranked him as the second-greatest pound-for-pound fighter of the 21st century. He was also inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2025.

Pacquiao started his political career in 2010. He was elected as a representative for Sarangani province. After six years, he became a senator in 2016. He ran for President of the Philippines in 2022 but did not win. After an unsuccessful campaign for the Senate in 2025, he decided to step away from politics and return to boxing.

Beyond boxing and politics, Pacquiao was a player-coach for a basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He even founded his own semi-professional basketball league. He has also acted in movies and hosted TV shows. He released several platinum-certified music albums and songs. His cover of "Sometimes When We Touch" even reached the US Billboard charts! He is also known as a philanthropist, helping many people.

Manny Pacquiao's Early Life and School

Manny Pacquiao was born Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao on December 17, 1978. His birthplace was Kibawe, Bukidnon, on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. His parents were Rosalio Pacquiao and Dionisia Dapidran. They separated when he was young. Manny is the fourth of six children. His brother, Bobby Pacquiao, also became a politician and boxer. Manny grew up in General Santos, South Cotabato.

When he was 14, Manny moved to Manila. He faced many challenges, sometimes living on the streets. He worked hard as a construction worker to earn money. He finished elementary school but had to stop high school. This was because his family was very poor.

In 2007, Manny took a special exam. He passed it and earned his high school diploma. This showed his dedication to learning, even after becoming famous.

Manny Pacquiao's Amazing Boxing Career

Manny Pacquiao had a great boxing career. He won 60 out of 64 amateur fights. As a professional, he won 62 fights, lost 8, and had 3 draws. He knocked out 39 opponents! Many experts, like boxing historian Bert Sugar, call him the greatest left-handed boxer ever. In 2021, DAZN ranked him the number one boxer of the last 30 years.

Becoming a World Champion

Manny made history by winning world titles in eight different weight classes. This is more than any other boxer! He won twelve major world titles in total. He was also the first boxer to win major titles in four of boxing's most important divisions. These include flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight. He is also the only boxer to be a world champion in four different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s).

For many years, experts considered Manny the best boxer in the world, pound for pound. This means they thought he was the best, no matter his weight. His fights were incredibly popular. They generated over $1.3 billion in revenue from pay-per-view events. In 2015, Forbes magazine said he was the world's second highest-paid athlete.

Manny announced his retirement from boxing on September 29, 2021. However, he returned to the ring for an exhibition match on July 28, 2024. This fight against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo ended in a draw.

Early Boxing Days

Manny's uncle, Sardo Mejia, introduced him to boxing at age 12. Manny said watching a boxing match in 1990 changed his life. His uncle trained him at home. Manny started boxing in parks and soon fought stronger opponents in other cities. By age 15, he was a top junior boxer in the southern Philippines. He then moved to Manila. In January 1995, at 16, he began his professional boxing career.

Manny shared that he became a fighter to survive. He had nothing and had to rely on himself. He realized he was good at boxing and trained hard to support his family. On December 4, 1998, at 19, he won his first big title, the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title.

Pacquiao with his trainer Freddie Roach

Famous Fights and Opponents

Throughout his amazing career, Manny Pacquiao defeated 22 world champions. Some of these champions include Marco Antonio Barrera, Érik Morales, Juan Manuel Márquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto.

Manny's most recent professional fight was against Mario Barrios in July 2025.

Awards and Recognitions

Manny Pacquiao received many awards for his boxing skills. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s by several organizations. These include the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and the World Boxing Council (WBC). He also won "Fighter of the Year" multiple times from The Ring magazine and ESPN.

BoxRec ranks him as the greatest Asian fighter ever. In 2016, ESPN listed him as the second-best pound-for-pound boxer of the past 25 years. In 2025, the WBC honored him as the "Fighter of the Century."

Manny holds six Guinness World Records. He has the most consecutive world title wins in different weights (15 wins). He is the oldest welterweight world champion, winning a title at 40 years old. He also holds records for the most world titles in different weight divisions (eight). His fights also set records for the highest-selling pay-per-view and ticket revenue.

Olympics

Manny Pacquiao never competed in the Summer Olympics as a boxer. However, he was the flag bearer for the Philippine team at the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. This was a special honor, as he was the first non-participant to carry the flag for his country.

He had a chance to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics when professional boxers were allowed to join. But he decided not to. He showed interest in the 2024 Summer Olympics, but the age limit of 40 years old prevented him from participating.

Earnings

Manny Pacquiao was one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Forbes magazine listed him among the top earners. For example, from 2008 to 2009, he earned $40 million. He also won the ESPY Awards for "Best Fighter" in 2009 and 2011.

Manny Pacquiao's Basketball Journey

Pacquiao with the Mahindra Enforcer in 2016

Manny Pacquiao loves basketball. In 2014, he announced he would join the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He became a player-coach for the Kia Motors team. He was the oldest rookie ever drafted into the league. Before joining the PBA, he trained with the Golden State Warriors. He also became friends with NBA stars like Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant.

In 2015, Manny played briefly in a game and scored one point. In 2016, he scored a career-high four points and made his first three-point shot.

In 2017, Manny founded the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. This league started as semi-professional and became professional in 2022. In 2018, he retired from the PBA after playing ten games over three seasons. He later shared that he planned to own an NBA team after his boxing career.

Manny Pacquiao's Political Career

Representative in Congress (2010–2016)

Portrait of Manny Pacquiao during his term as Sarangani representative

Manny Pacquiao first ran for a seat in the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 2007 but did not win. He prepared for his political career by taking courses in development and legislation.

Manny Pacquiao and Jinkee Pacquiao with U.S. Senators Harry Reid and Daniel Inouye

In 2009, he announced he would run again, this time for Sarangani province. In May 2010, he was elected to the House of Representatives. He won by a large margin against a powerful political family.

In 2010, Pacquiao gave a praised speech about helping people who were forced into bad situations. In 2013, he was re-elected without opposition. His wife, Jinkee, also became vice-governor of Sarangani.

Due to his other commitments, Manny sometimes had low attendance in Congress. He filed fewer than 20 bills in six years, but none became law during his term as a representative.

Senator (2016–2022)

Senator Pacquiao, as chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, discusses a proposal to establish a Philippine Boxing Commission.

On October 5, 2015, Pacquiao announced he was running for senator. In May 2016, he was officially elected as a senator. He received over 16 million votes, placing 7th overall.

As a senator, Pacquiao supported the government of President Rodrigo Duterte. He filed 31 Senate bills during the 17th Congress. He also supported a bill to bring back capital punishment.

In June 2019, reports showed Pacquiao had the lowest attendance record among senators. Despite this, he helped pass four laws from the bills he filed.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Pacquiao worked with Alibaba Group co-founder Jack Ma. They helped bring 50,000 COVID-19 test kits to the Philippines through their charities.

In December 2020, Pacquiao became the acting party president of PDP–Laban, the ruling political party. However, this position later became disputed. In May 2021, Senator Pacquiao proposed a bill to create a Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission. Some criticized the timing of this proposal during the pandemic.

In May 2022, Pacquiao called for the release of fellow Senator Leila De Lima. This happened after witnesses against her changed their statements.

2022 Presidential Campaign

Pacquiao during an election motorcade in Marikina, February 2022

Pacquiao (left) with Isko Moreno (center) and Leni Robredo (right) during a presidential debate

As early as 2020, there were talks that Manny Pacquiao might run for president. He expressed interest in a presidential bid. In June 2021, he shared his views on the government's response to China's claims in the South China Sea. President Duterte responded, saying Pacquiao lacked knowledge in foreign policy.

On September 19, 2021, Pacquiao officially announced his candidacy for President of the Philippines. He registered his candidacy under the PROMDI party. His campaign focused on fighting corruption and providing housing for the poor. During the campaign, his poll ratings were low.

In March 2022, Pacquiao challenged presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos to a debate. He criticized those who would vote for someone accused of wrongdoing. Pacquiao placed third in the election and later conceded to Marcos, who won.

2025 Senate Campaign

On September 26, 2024, Pacquiao was named a senatorial candidate for the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas. He ran under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. He officially filed his candidacy on October 7, 2024. Pacquiao did not win a Senate seat in the 2025 elections, placing 18th. He has since considered leaving politics to focus on boxing.

Manny Pacquiao's Entertainment Career

Acting and Hosting

Pacquiao in 2009

As Manny Pacquiao became more famous, he started an acting and hosting career. He made guest appearances on ABS-CBN shows and later signed a contract with them. In 2005, he played his first main role in the film Lisensyadong Kamao (Licensed Fist).

In 2007, he signed with GMA Network. He hosted the show Pinoy Records and starred in the TV series Totoy Bato and the sitcom Show Me Da Manny. He also hosted his own game show, Manny Many Prizes.

He starred in other films like Anak ng Kumander (2008) and the superhero comedy Wapakman (2009). These movies were not very successful. In 2020, he was cast to play General Miguel Malvar in a biopic film.

Music Career

Manny Pacquiao recorded songs that he used as entrance music for his fights. He released two albums that became platinum-certified in the Philippines. Many of his Tagalog songs were written by Lito Camo, including his hit "Para Sayo ang Laban Na 'To."

In 2009, Manny sang a cover of "Sometimes When We Touch" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. This was his first singing performance on American TV. He returned to the show to sing other songs. His cover of "Sometimes When We Touch" even reached number 19 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in 2011. This made him one of the few Southeast Asians to appear on a US Billboard chart. In 2015, he released an extended play (EP) with his entrance song for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.. He then announced his retirement from music, saying, "I love music, but music is not for me."

Manny Pacquiao's Personal Life

Manny Pacquiao married Jinkee Jamora on May 10, 1999. They have five children: Emmanuel Jr. (Jimuel), Michael Stephen, Mary Divine Grace (Princess), Queen Elizabeth (Queenie), and Israel. Manny also has another son, Eman Bacosa Pacquiao, who officially took the Pacquiao surname in November 2025.

His eldest son, Jimuel, is also a professional boxer, model, and actor. His second son, Michael, is a rapper and a councilor in General Santos. His daughter, Princess, is a popular YouTube vlogger. She graduated from secondary school in May 2024.

Manny lives in his hometown of General Santos, Philippines. He also served as a military reservist and was promoted to the rank of colonel in the Philippine Army Reserve Force.

Manny has a YouTube channel with many subscribers. His family members also have their own YouTube channels where they share their activities.

Manny has continued his education throughout his life. He took courses at the Development Academy of the Philippines. In 2019, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Makati. In 2022, he graduated from Philippine Christian University with a master's degree in public administration.

Raised Catholic, Manny now practices Evangelical Protestantism. He shared that a dream, where he saw angels and heard the voice of God, led him to become a devout believer.

In November 2025, Manny launched MannyPay, an electronic wallet platform. It aims to offer lower transfer fees and eventually include remittance and cryptocurrency services.

Awards and Recognitions

International Awards

• 2000–2009 Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Decade
• 2001–2010 World Boxing Council Boxer of the Decade
• 2001–2010 World Boxing Organization Best Pound-for-Pound Fighter of the Decade
• 2006, 2008 and 2009 Boxing Writers Association of America's Fighter of the Year
• 2006, 2008 and 2009 The Ring Fighter of the Year
• 2008 Sports Illustrated Boxer of the Year
• 2008 and 2009 World Boxing Council Boxer of the Year
• 2009 and 2011 ESPY Awards Best Fighter
• 2009 TIME 100 Most Influential People (Heroes and Icons Category)
• 2011 Guinness World Records Most boxing world titles in different weight divisions (8 times)
• 2015 Asia Society's Asia Game Changer of the Year
• 2019 Forbes magazine Highest Paid Athletes of the Decade (ranked 8th)
• 2025 World Boxing Council Fighter of the Century
• 2026 Global Outstanding Sporting Career Award

National Awards

• 2000–2009 Philippine Sportswriters Association Athlete of the Decade
• 2003 Presidential Medal of Merit
• 2003 and 2010 Congressional Medal of Achievement / Distinction / Honor
• 2006 Order of Lakandula with the rank of "Champion for Life"
• 2008 Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of "Officer"
• 2010–2019 Philippine Sportswriters Association Athlete of the Decade
• 2019 50th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Global Achievement by a Filipino Award

See also

In Spanish: Manny Pacquiao para niños