Today, we journey back to the year 2002, a time long before Manny Pacquiao’s epic battles with Morales, Bradley, and Juan Manuel Marquez: The Night Unknown Manny Pacquiao Became Feared | HO

Welcome back to Boxing After Dark! Today, we journey back to the year 2002, a time long before Manny Pacquiao’s epic battles with Morales, Bradley, and Juan Manuel Marquez. Back when Manny was just emerging as a new face in the USA, a defining statement would need to be made

In 2002, Manny Pacquiao, a rising star in Philippine boxing, aimed to expand his legacy by becoming a three-weight world champion. However, before achieving this goal, he faced a formidable challenge from former champion J. Julio. This anticipated bout promised to be a grueling test for Pacquiao, who had already made a significant impact in American boxing.

Pacquiao’s journey to prominence was marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Despite facing two losses early in his career, including one against knockout artist Medon Curet, Pacquiao’s resilience and determination propelled him forward. Guided by his manager, Mr. Nario, and trainer, Freddie Roach, Pacquiao embarked on a quest to reclaim his status as a champion.

After capturing the super bantamweight title with a victory over Lenol Leaba, Pacquiao set his sights on defending his championship against Jorge Julio. The bout took place on June 8, 2002, with Pacquiao entering the ring as the determined Destroyer, ready to showcase his skills once again.

From the opening bell, Pacquiao demonstrated his power and aggression, landing significant blows on Julio. Despite Julio’s experience, Pacquiao’s relentless assault proved too much to handle. In the second round, Pacquiao followed Freddie Roach’s instructions to perfection, utilizing a double jab followed by a left hand to send Julio to the canvas.

Julio attempted to fight back, but Pacquiao’s dominance was undeniable. With devastating speed and precision, Pacquiao secured a second-round TKO victory, solidifying his status as a rising star in the boxing world.

While Julio’s professional career faded after his defeat to Pacquiao, Manny’s journey was just beginning. Over the years, Pacquiao would go on to achieve unprecedented success, becoming a world champion in multiple weight divisions and facing some of the sport’s greatest legends.

Despite his retirement from professional boxing, Pacquiao’s legacy continues to inspire fans worldwide. Whether he chooses to return to the ring or pursue other endeavors, Manny Pacquiao’s impact on the sport of boxing will always be remembered and celebrated.

VIDEO: The Night Unknown Manny Pacquiao Became Feared 

ON THIS DAY back in 2006, Manny Pacquiao’s reputation continued on its upwards trajectory as he avenged his defeat the year previously to Erik Morales, stopping the Mexican in the 10th round at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao defended his WBC International super featherweight belt that he had won the fight before, a 6th round stoppage win over Hector Velazquez and the contest was also an eliminator for the WBC title. Even so, to the majority, this was viewed as a world title fight.

After their first fight, which ended in a close unanimous decision in Morales’ favour, anticipation was high for the rematch and another clash between two of the biggest names in the smaller weight classes at the time.

Morales was already a three-weight champion, losing the super featherweight title in the final chapter of his famous trilogy with arch rival Marco Antonio Barrera and he was desperate to reclaim it. Pacquiao had won titles at different weights, and the aura surrounding him was growing at a rapid rate back in 2006.

The two entered the fight having both fought separate opponents in September 2005 on the same night. Pacquiao got the win over Velazquez, whilst “El Terrible” was defeated by Zahir Raheem as he stepped up to lightweight.

Following the defeat, many observers put their faith in “Pac-Man”, who made the weight with ease, whilst Morales struggled in camp and just squeezed inside the limit of 130lbs.

Pacquiao justified the faith, seemingly knocking Morales down twice early on, however the wily Mexican survived both attempts, when he held himself up on the ropes the first time around and then falling onto referee Kenny Bayless.

Pacquiao, who was guaranteed a $2 million purse, put his foot on the gas and really started to get to Morales, but the Mexican kept it close until the 10th round. Morales went down early and was quickly into survival mode.

But the unrelenting Pacquiao homed in on him, putting him down again heavily and forcing Bayless to stop the fight with 2:33 gone in what was to be the final round.

The Filipino moved to 41-3-2 whilst Morales slipped to 48-4 and the decline would continue for the future Hall of Famer.

He would take on Pacquiao again in October that year to lose his second trilogy, to go with the Barrera defeats, but this time he was stopped inside three rounds, before a loss to the lightweight champion David Diaz convinced him to announce his retirement. He did return three years later winning a light-welterweight title, but two defeats to Danny Garcia retired him for good in 2012.

After this win over Morales, Pacquiao had to wait two years to get his shot at the WBC title, where he beat Juan Manuel Marquez for the belt in the second fight of their long rivalry.