The Manny Who Defies Age

An official champion even as a 42-year-old today, Manny Pacquiao’s success is timeless.

The Philippine’s Senator is a modern great and needs no introduction. He could have retired a decade ago and would have still left behind a legacy that features the incomparable 8-division world title feat.

Yet Pacquiao fights on. The desire to do so in his 4^th decade of competing professionally is commendable and reminiscent of the old greats that would step through the ropes motivated solely by passion.

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This is one of the many reasons why the Pac-Man is a fan favorite. His ability and talent also means that he evades the cliche of an old legend becoming a ‘gatekeeper’ for the up-and-comers in the modern day. On the contrary, the 42-year-old is still the upper echelon at 147lbs, holding the ‘Super’ WBA world title belt and is the name on the lips of fellow welterweight champions Terence Crawford & Errol Spence.

They are not the only ones who want to share the ring with the icon though. There has also been speculation of MMA star Conor McGregor once again crossing over into the realms of the sweet science to be greeted by Pacquiao. Four weight world champion Mikey Garcia is another one queuing up for a slice of the birthday boy’s cake. Fans have been deprived of his skill set for over 18 months, but the devoted politician has assured us that he wants to extend his 62 wins to 64 by next year, making any of these listed opponents a possibility.

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While exceptional champions like Josh Taylor are planning to retire on the early side of their 30’s, Pacquiao astoundingly remains as eager as he was 26 years ago to swap leather.

Fingers crossed that next year he gives the fans a couple of competitive, feisty bouts that he is renowned for doing and enjoys a deserved and safe retirement from there.

Happy Birthday Pac-Man!