Manny Pacquiao’s career turned on a single decision he made in 2001.
Back in December 1998, he claimed his first world title by knocking out WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul in Thailand.
Nine months later, after missing weight, Pacquiao lost the belt when he was stopped inside three rounds.
He moved up to super bantamweight and picked up six wins, but still had not earned a title shot at that point.
Manny Pacquiao’s US debut
In June 2001, Lehlo Ledwaba was set to put his 122lb IBF title on the line against Enrique Sanchez.
The event was headlined by Oscar De La Hoya, who faced Javier Castillejo for the WBC light-middleweight belt.
Ledwaba found himself on the Las Vegas undercard because many saw him as a rising talent with star potential.
But when Sanchez pulled out just two weeks before the fight, Ledwaba was left searching for someone to fill in.
That was when Pacquiao got his chance. He took the fight without hesitation, even though he was only paid $40,000 for it.
“Freddie [Roach]and I had trained together about two weeks, and now I’m walking into the ring at the MGM Grand to fight Ledwaba on HBO pay-per-view. It was crazy. That fight changed my life,” PacMan said.
He controlled every round and stopped Ledwaba in six in what proved to be a huge upset.
Manny Pacquiao is preparing for a comeback
Pacquiao, now 47 and still actively competing, has cemented his legacy as one of boxing’s all-time greats over the past 25 years.
And he remains determined to achieve further greatness in 2026.
The list of possible opponents for his next fight – revealed by his adviser Sean Gibbons – includes several high-profile names from the lighter weight classes.
Gibbons said to Betway: “Manny wants real fights – big fights, entertaining fights.
“That goes back to Gervonta [Davis], [Floyd] Mayweather, and Ryan [Garcia].
“Devin Haney? You can throw Devin Haney in the mix as well.
“These are the types of fights Manny would take. They move, they’re skilled, they’re not overly dangerous for a 47-year-old guy in the ring. At this age, it’s prizefighting. And whatever the biggest prize is, Manny’s not worried.
“I think he could fight twice. He’s done exhibitions, which keep him active, but he’s really in shape right now. He’s running, training, and fired up by his son, Jimuel. One of the biggest things we want to do is Manny and Jimuel on the same show – father and son.”
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