BY NICK GIONGCO
It was the perfect time for Manny Pacquiao to come up with a short list of his greatest hits in an illustrious career dating back 25 years ago.
Though not in order of preference, Pacquiao revealed those historic feats while on quarantine asserting his memorable victories came against Oscar De La Hoya, Marco Antonio Barrera and Ricky Hatton.
The fourth and fifth spot are shared by conquests over Lehlo Ledwaba and Antonio Margarito.
Pacquiao, now 41, a pro since 1995, and an unprecedented winner of eight world titles in as many weight classes, beamed with pride when he made mention of The Golden Boy.
Moving up from lightweight, Pacquiao faced De La Hoya at welterweight in December 2008 at the MGM Gand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, a shade under 5-foot-6, just came in at 142 lbs while De La Hoya, five inches taller, tipped in at the division limit of 147.
The speed Pacquiao displayed was too much for the legendary De La Hoya, who was so outclassed for eight rounds that he quit on his stool when the bell sounded for the ninth sounded.
That win made Pacquiao a real star on the world stage, a feat that cemented his place among the immortals of the sport.
The loss proved to be so tough for De La Hoya to swallow that he announced his retirement shortly after.
Equally-electrifying was Pacquiao’s 11th round stoppage of Barrera when they first met in November 2003 in a showdown for The Ring’s featherweight crown at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Barrera had just signed with De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions when he faced Pacquiao in what was originally thought would be a showcase of the Mexican’s grand arrival at GBP.
But Pacquiao didn’t want any part of the party that GBP was planning to host that night, overwhelming Barrera with blazing handspeed and power, and prompting Barrera’s corner to throw in the towel.
The Hatton clash, though the quickest, proved devastating.
Fighting at super-lightweight (140 lbs) also at the MGM Grand in May 2009, Pacquiao needed just one punch, a hybrid overhand-hook left to the jaw, to send the British banger to dreamland in less than two rounds.
Of course, there was his US debut in June 2001 against Lehlo Ledwaba for the 122-lb title underneath a De La Hoya headliner.
Pacquiao was dismissed even by aficionados that the sportsbook didn’t
carry odds for the fight.
Pacquiao surprised them all by halting the favored South African in six.
While admitting that Margarito as his toughest foe ever, Pacquiao considers his 12-round decision over the imposing Mexican as one of his finest moments.
“He was just too big for me that’s why this win means a lot to me,” Pacquao said.