Manny Pacquiao ranked No. 2 in ESPN’s century list

Manny Pacquiao’s legendary career is still being written. The Filipino boxing icon was named No. 2 in ESPN’s ranking of the top 25 boxers of the 21st century, and at 46 years old, he’s preparing for another comeback fight this December.

Pacquiao returned to action in July after four years away from the ring, battling WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios to a majority decision draw in Las Vegas.

 The result placed Pacquiao back among the WBC’s top-ranked welterweights and made him part of a rare group of fighters to compete for a world title after being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame earlier this year.

With a professional record of 62 wins, 8 losses, and 3 draws with 39 knockouts, Pacquiao remains the only fighter in boxing history to win world championships in eight different weight classes.

His aggressive, whirlwind style toppled greats like Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto, while his comeback victories after devastating defeats only strengthened his reputation as one of the sport’s toughest competitors.

According to multiple reports, Pacquiao is targeting a December 17 return to the ring, with WBA “regular” welterweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero emerging as the frontrunner to face him.

“Who wouldn’t want that?” Romero said in a recent interview, describing the chance to fight Pacquiao as a potential career-defining opportunity. 

Pacquiao’s adviser, Sean Gibbons, noted that Romero’s commercial value and promotional ties make the matchup easier to finalize compared to other names being floated.

While Romero is the leading candidate, Pacquiao has also been linked to other big names. Gervonta “Tank” Davis was briefly considered, though his scheduled exhibition with Jake Paul in November makes that pairing unlikely. 

Ryan Garcia has publicly expressed interest in fighting Pacquiao before the end of the year, a possibility that remains open if negotiations align.

Pacquiao began his pro career at just 16 years old and rose from poverty in General Santos City to become one of the most celebrated fighters of all time. 

He captured his first world title in 1998 at flyweight and completed his eighth division crown in 2010 at junior middleweight. By 2019, at age 40, he became the oldest welterweight champion in history by defeating Keith Thurman.

Now, ranked just behind Floyd Mayweather Jr. on ESPN’s century list, Pacquiao has little left to prove. Yet his December plans show that the “Pac-Man” is determined to keep pushing the limits of what a prizefighter can achieve, even after nearly three decades in the sport.

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