Manny Pacquiao facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao in 2018
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 46)
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	PFP (2024–present)
Other political affiliations	PDP (2016–present) PROMDI (2021–2024) UNA (2012–2016) Nacionalista (2009–2010) Lakas–Kampi (2008–2009) KAMPI (2007–2008) Liberal (until 2007; 2010–2012) PCM (local party; 2009–present)
Spouse	Jinkee Jamora ​ (m. 1999)​
Relations	Bobby Pacquiao (brother)
Children	6
Alma mater	Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (no degree) University of Makati (BA) Philippine Christian University (MPA)
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Manny Pacquiao Statistics Nickname(s) PacMan Rated at List Light flyweight Flyweight Super bantamweight Featherweight Super featherweight Lightweight Light welterweight Welterweight Light middleweight 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), known as Manny Pacquiao, is a famous Filipino professional boxer, businessman, and former politician. His nickname is "PacMan," and many people think he is one of the best professional boxers ever. He was also a senator of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.

Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to win world championships in eight different weight classes. He is also the first boxer to win major world titles in four of the "glamour divisions" (flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight). He held world championships in the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s, making him the only boxer to do so across four decades.

In 2019, at age 40, he became the oldest welterweight world champion. His fights have made over a billion dollars. In 2024, ESPN named him the greatest Asian athlete of the 21st century. He was also added to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Besides boxing, Pacquiao was a politician. He was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives in 2010 and became a senator in 2016. In 2022, he ran for President of the Philippines but did not win. He has also been a basketball player-coach, an actor, and a singer.

Early Life and School

Manny Pacquiao was born on December 17, 1978. His parents are Rosalio Pacquiao and Dionisia Dapidran. He is the fourth of six children. His brother, Bobby, is also a former professional boxer.

When he was 14, Pacquiao moved to Manila and lived on the streets. He worked in construction to earn money. He had to choose between eating and sending money to his mother. Because of this, he had to drop out of high school.

Later, in 2007, he passed a special exam to get his high school diploma. He continued his education and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Makati in 2019 and a master's degree from Philippine Christian University in 2022.

Boxing Career

Manny Pacquiao is one of the most successful boxers in history. He has a professional record of 62 wins, 8 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 of his wins by knockout. Many experts, like boxing historian Bert Sugar, have called him the greatest southpaw (left-handed) fighter of all time.

He is famous for being the first and only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. He is also the first boxer to win major titles in four of the most popular weight classes: flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight.

For many years, top sports news sources like ESPN and The Ring magazine rated him as the best active boxer in the world, pound for pound. His fights were very popular and made about $1.3 billion from 26 pay-per-view events.

How He Started

Pacquiao with his trainer Freddie Roach

Pacquiao started boxing when he was 12 years old, taught by his uncle. He said that watching Mike Tyson fight in 1990 "changed my life forever." He trained hard and started fighting in local parks. By age 15, he was known as the best young boxer in the southern Philippines.

He moved to Manila to continue his career. At just 16 years old, in 1995, he had his first professional fight. He once said, "I became a fighter because I had to survive. I had nothing. I had no one to depend on except myself. I realized that boxing was something I was good at, and I trained hard so that I could keep myself and my family alive."

In 1998, at age 19, he won his first major world title.

Famous Fights and Achievements

Throughout his career, Pacquiao defeated 22 world champions. Some of his most famous opponents include Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Juan Manuel Márquez. His most recent professional fight was against Mario Barrios in July 2025.

Pacquiao has won many awards. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He also won the Best Fighter ESPY Award in 2009 and 2011. He holds six Guinness World Records for his boxing achievements, including winning world titles in the most weight divisions.

On September 29, 2021, Pacquiao announced he was retiring from boxing. However, he has since participated in exhibition matches.

Political Career

Pacquiao started his political career in 2010. He wanted to help the people of his home country, the Philippines.

House of Representatives (2010–2016)

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

In 2010, Pacquiao was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines, representing the province of Sarangani. He won by a large number of votes against a powerful political family. He was re-elected in 2013.

As a congressman, he worked on laws and gave speeches on important topics. However, he was sometimes criticized for missing sessions because of his boxing and other commitments.

Senate (2016–2022)

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

In 2016, Pacquiao was elected as a senator of the Philippines, receiving over 16 million votes. As a senator, he filed 31 bills. One of his proposals was to create a Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission to support athletes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked with Alibaba Group co-founder Jack Ma to bring 50,000 COVID-19 test kits to the Philippines.

2022 Presidential Campaign

Pacquiao during an election motorcade in Marikina, February 2022

On September 19, 2021, Pacquiao announced he would run for President of the Philippines in the 2022 election. His main goals were to fight corruption and provide housing for the poor.

He participated in debates and campaigned across the country. In the end, he placed third in the election and conceded to the winner, Bongbong Marcos. After an unsuccessful run for the Senate in 2025, he said he was considering leaving politics to focus on boxing again.

Other Activities

Outside of boxing and politics, Pacquiao has been involved in many other fields, including basketball, acting, and music.

Basketball Career

Pacquiao with the Mahindra Enforcer in 2016

Pacquiao is a big basketball fan. In 2014, he became the player-coach for the Kia Motors team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). At 35, he was the oldest rookie ever drafted in the league. He played for three seasons before retiring from the PBA in 2018.

In 2017, he founded the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), a professional basketball league in the Philippines.

Entertainment Career

Pacquiao in 2009

As he became more famous, Pacquiao started a career in entertainment. He appeared in several Filipino movies and television shows. He hosted his own TV shows, including the game show Manny Many Prizes.

He also had a music career and released several albums in the Philippines. One of his songs, a cover of "Sometimes When We Touch", even appeared on a U.S. Billboard chart after he performed it on the American TV show Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Personal Life

Pacquiao married Jinkee Jamora in 1999. They have five children: Jimuel, Michael, Princess, Queenie, and Israel. His oldest son, Jimuel, is also an amateur boxer. His other children are also well-known, with his daughter Princess being a popular YouTube vlogger.

Pacquiao is a devout Evangelical Christian and often preaches. He is also a philanthropist, which means he donates money and time to help others through his charity foundation.

He is also a military reservist in the Philippine Army and holds the rank of colonel.

Images for kids

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  Pacquiao (left) with Isko Moreno (center) and Leni Robredo (right) during a presidential debate in 2022

See also

In Spanish: Manny Pacquiao para niños