Manny Pacquiao: 21 Decembers Later, Still in the Pinnacle of Boxing Success
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Dec 2019
Manny Pacquiao and the late American boxing great Henry Armstrong have been favorably compared to each other.
The reason is they shared so many similarities: Both were born in December (Manny, December 17, 1978 and Henry, December 12, 1912), set unprecedented records (Manny winning eight world championships in as many weight divisions and Henry winning and simultaneously holding world titles in three weight classes, the only fighters in history to have done so) and in their prime, employed unique fighting styles characterized by speed, quickness, power and relentless punching that befuddled and overwhelmed their opponents.
Armstrong is already enshrined in the Boxing Hall of Fame and considered as an all time great pound for pound fighter. There is no doubt that Manny will also be bestowed with such honors after he hangs up his gloves.
But their similarities end when it comes to fighting in their common birth month, December.
Armstrong was reported to be superstitious about his birth date which is also expressed numerically as 12-12-12. This could be the reason he avoided fighting especially crucial bouts in and around his birthday.
In his career total of 181 pro bouts, he just figured in 13 bouts or about seven percent of total held in December, and only two were world title bouts, both in defense of his welterweight title in 1938, his most successful year where he attained his boxing triple bagger.
He fought once on his birthday in 1935 which he won but he was still a rising contender then.
His other December fights, all of which he won came before and after he became a triple world champion. This was unusual as he customarily fought almost monthly, at times more than once.
Manny on the other hand has had no qualms about fighting in major bouts on his birth month as he even seems to relish and welcome such as a birthday and Christmas gifts to himself and the Filipino people.
In 70 completed bouts thus far (61 wins, 7 losses and 2 draws), Manny has fought eight times or 11 percent of total in December, including six for world or major international titles. He also fought in December for five consecutive years from 1995 to 1999.
Manny first fought in his birth month on December 9, 1995 beating on points Rolando Toyogon. On December 28, 1996, he fought and stopped South Korean Sung Yul Lee. He also fought on December 6, 1997 knocking out Thai Panomdej Chyhthanakam in defense of his OPBF flyweight title. All these fights were held in the Philippines.
His first big December victory came nine days before his 20th birthday on December 8, 1998, when he won his first world title by 8th round knockout over Chatchai Sasakul for the WBC and lineal flyweight championship in Thailand.
On December 18, 1999, Manny fought and kayoed Reynante Jamili in his first bout at junior featherweight, moving two divisions up after losing the WBC flyweight title virtually at the weight scales versus Medgoen Singsurat in Thailand.
His next December fight came five years later on December 11, 2004 where he knocked out Thai challenger Fahsang 3k Battery in defense of his IBF junior featherweight title in Taguig.
Manny Pacquiao's biggest December moment was his victory over superstar Oscar de la Hoya on Dec. 6, 2008 in Las Vegas.
His biggest December moment came four years later on December 6, 2008 when he fought and stopped and retired for good American superstar Oscar de la Hoya in a passing of the torch fight held in Las Vegas, Nevada. That heralded his coming as the new pound for pound king and boxing premier attraction.
The last time Manny fought in December however ended in a sad note when he fell in an upset knockout defeat to archrival Juan Manuel Marquez on December 12, 2012.
But that and his succeeding sorry losses to Floyd Mayweather in 2015 and Jeff Horn in 2017 proved to be just bumps on the road in his inexorable march to greatness. Twenty one Decembers after he won the first of his world record eight weight division world championships.
And today, December 17, 2019 as he celebrates his 41st birthday, he is still in the pinnacle of success as the reigning WBA welterweight super champion and arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the world.
Happy Birthday, Champ!
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
CONWAY-LIDDARD YORK HALL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
Thu, 16 Oct 2025PR Run - Break Your Record on Oct. 19
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 16 Oct 2025PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART I)
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 16 Oct 2025BOXING HALL OF FAME RELEASES FALL 2025 LETTER OF APPEAL SEEKING FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
Thu, 16 Oct 2025Mendoza bags bronze
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 16 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 20: MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III ON OCTOBER 1, 1975 AT THE ARANETA COLISEUM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 16 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: History of Boxing in Reynosa, Tamaulipas
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 16 Oct 2025YORK HALL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS CONWAY AND LIDDARD GET SET FOR HUGE DOMESTIC CLASH
Wed, 15 Oct 2025Unbeaten Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes Set for Return on October 18 Against Derlyn Hernandez-Geraldo in Long Beach
Wed, 15 Oct 2025JOEL “LETHAL” LEWIS RETURNS NOV 28TH THUNDERDOME 52 – METRO CITY PERTH
Wed, 15 Oct 2025Shane Mosley Sr. Blasts Oscar De La Hoya of Blocking Son’s Title Shot, Calls for Trilogy Fight on Drew & Pris Uncensored podcast
Wed, 15 Oct 2025MASOUD vs McGRAIL HEADLINES BLOCKBUSTER MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI CARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 – LIVE ON DAZN
Wed, 15 Oct 2025WFM Mendoza seizes lead in 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 15 Oct 2025YOENLI HERNANDEZ KNOCKS OUT RAMON DELACRUZ SENA IN FIRST ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 8
Wed, 15 Oct 2025BEN WHITTAKER TITLE SHOT CONFIRMED WITH PRESS CONFERENCE THIS FRIDAY
Wed, 15 Oct 2025