SPORTS SHORTS 215: MANNY PACQUIAO'S FORMER OPPONENTS WHO LOST THEIR FINAL FIGHTS BEFORE RETIREMENT
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 11 Sep 2021
Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao is now at the crossroads of his boxing career. Two options are now weighed by the Filipino legend, whether to fight one more time after the upset to Cuban Yordenis Ugas or to immediately retire from the sweet science.
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Losing in his final bout, however will not diminish his greatness like some boxing legends who were badly beaten in their farewell fights. The final choice though will solely rely on the discretion of the senator himself especially with the influence of his political decision.
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Pacquiao fought 22 past, present and future world champions in his career. And some of them hanged up their gloves after losing their last fight. The main reason of course was they were slowed down by their age.
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The most popular was Oscar De La Hoya who faced Manny Pacquiao on December 6, 2008 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. De La Hoya was badly beaten and his corner stopped the fight after the eighth round. Pacquiao was ahead on all three judges' scorecards before the stoppage, 80–71, 80-71 and 79–72.
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After the bout, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach stated, "We knew we had him after the first round. He had no legs, he was hesitant and he was shot." Confirming Roach's pre-fight predictions that "he could no longer pull the trigger", De La Hoya, after the bout told Roach, "You're right, Freddie. I don't have it anymore."
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When asked by reporters whether he would continue fighting, De La Hoya answered, "My heart still wants to fight, that's for sure," De La Hoya said. "But when your physical doesn't respond, what can you do? I have to be smart and make sure I think about my future plans." De La Hoya announced his retirement on April 14, 2009.
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Miguel Cotto lost to Sadam Ali by unanimous decision on December 2, 2017 at the Madison Square Garden, New York, where he lost his WBO light middleweight title. Cotto ended his career with an 8-2 record at MSG.
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Timothy Bradley was defeated by Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision on April 9, 2016 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, for the vacant WBO international welterweight title. Bradley retired afterwards getting 33 wins, 2 losses, 13 wins by knockout, 1 draw and 1 no contest.
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Pacquiao defeated Ricky Hatton by a devastating knockout in the second round. It was named Knockout of the Year by The Ring magazine. on May 2, 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada and drew 1.75 million pay-per-view buys. The Briton was depressed with the ring destruction and decided to retire.
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Hatton came out of retirement to fight Ukraine's Vyacheslav Senchenko but was again defeated by 9th round knockout on November 24, 2012 at the Manchester Arena, Manchester, England. He retired again this time for good with 45 wins, 3 losses, 32 wins by knockout.
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Lucas Matthysse lost his WBA (Regular) welterweight title against Manny Pacquiao on July 15, 2018 at the Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pacquiao won by 7th round TKO, the first time in nine years that Pacquiao had stopped an opponent. Matthysse then retired with 39 wins, 5 losses, 36 KO wins and 1 no contest.
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Shane Mosley challenged WBA Interim welterweight champion David Avanesyan of Russia at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona on May 28, 2016. Avanesyan won all three judges' scorecards 117-110, 117-110, and 114-113. Mosley retired with 49 wins, with 41 knockouts, 10 losses, 1 draw and 1 no contest.
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David Diaz lost to Hank Lundy by 6th round KO in his last fight on August 19, 2011 at the Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana for the NABF lightweight title. He had 36 wins, 17 by knockouts, 4 losses and 1 draw.
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Jorge Solis lost to Japanese Takashi Uchiyama by 11th round TKO on December 31,2011 at the Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium, Yokohama, Japan where he lost his interim WBA world super featherweight title.
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Before that, Solis also was stopped by Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa by 4th round TKO on March 26, 2011 at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey for the WBA Super and IBF world featherweight titles. He retired with 40 Wins (27 knockouts), 4 losses, 2 draws and 1 no contest.
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Oscar Larios lost his final bout against Japanese Takahiro Ao by unanimous decision on March 12, 2009 at the Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan, relinquishing his WBC featherweight title. He called it a career with 63 wins, 39 by KOs, 7 losses and 1 draw.
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Colombian Jorge Eliécer Julio was stopped by Israel Vasquez of Mexico via 10th round TKO on May 22, 2003 at the SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas. He quit boxing after that with 44 wins with 32 KOs, and 5 losses.
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Lehlo Ledwaba of South Africa in his final bout was stopped by Maxwell Awuku of Ghana at the end of the 9th round on November 24, 2006 at the Convention Centre, Mafikeng, South Africa where he lost his WBA Pan African super featherweight title. He retired from his career of 36 wins, 23 by knockouts, 6 losses and 1 draw.
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There is a great possibility that Pacquiao will climb back the ring before the end of the year or early next year. Replying to a question posted by Philstar on Twitter, David Sisson, Pacquiao’s close aide, insisted that the senator will continue with his fighting career, and would like to retire with a big win.
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"Most likely a December fight, if not then early January," tweeted David Sisson on September 8, 2021.
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But he has not named his next opponent yet, although a rematch with Ugas will also be considered. Pacquiao will turn 43 years old on December 17, but said he has not lost his passion for fighting.
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10 Oldest NBA Players for the 2021-2022 season:
1. Udonis Haslem (Heat) - 41 years, 93 days
2. Andre Iguodala (Warriors) - 37 years, 225 days
3. Carmelo Anthony (Lakers) - 37 years, 104 days
4. LeBron James (Lakers) - 36 years, 254 days
5. Marc Gasol (Grizzlies) - 36 years, 224 days
6. PJ Tucker (Heat) - 36 years, 128 days
7. Chris Paul (Suns) - 36 years, 127 days
8. Taj Gibson (Knicks) - 36 years, 78 days
9. Trevor Ariza (Lakers) - 36 years, 72 days
10. LaMarcus Aldridge (Nets) - 36 years, 53 days
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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