Philippines, 02 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Pacquiao at 40 fights Broner to cement legacy


PhilBoxing.com




The Philippines? pride Manny Pacquiao celebrates his 40th birthday today. A month and three days from now, The Kibawe, Bukidnon-born sensation joins boxing greats who have ignored their age by continuously fighting and winning world titles.

On January 19, 2019, at age 40 and 33 days, Pacquiao fights American Adrien Broner for his World Boxing Association welterweight belt matching the feats accomplished by great fighters before him, including, among others, Sugar Ray Robinson, George Foreman, Bernard Hopkins, Archie Moore and Larry Holmes.

Less than 30 years ago, most fighters were out of boxing long before age 40. In fact, 35-year-old boxers were viewed as elderly because only a handful still were competing effectively. Since then, advances in nutrition and training techniques have lengthened careers to an extraordinary degree.

At age 39 in July this year, the eight-division champion Pacquiao technically knocked out Lucas Matthysse of Argentina in the seventh round to annex the latter?s WBA 147-pound title and matched arch-rival Juan Manuel Marquez?s, who, also at age 39, transformed the trajectory of his legacy, unfortunately at the expense of the Filipino icon.

With a single punch, Marquez became the first fighter ever to win The Ring?s Fighter of the Year, Fight of the Year and Knockout of the Year awards in the same year. When Marquez blows out the 40 candles on his next birthday cake August 23, his top-five pound-for-pound status will remain rock solid ? an unthinkable concept a generation ago.

Pacquiao?s stoppage of Matthysse, though, was his fourth trip to the welterweight throne he won three times before, lost as many times and recaptured as many times, too.

Already the only man to crown himself champion 11 times in eight weight divisions, the fighting legislator stands to add another brick to his already legendary foundation, one that never would have been crafted had he followed through on his eventual retirement.

The question that needs answering now, therefore, is this: Will Pacquiao be the best over-40 fighter who has yet lived? Or are there others that remain above him -- Robinson? Foreman? Moore? Holmes?

Robinson, boxing history?s greatest fusion of speed, power, intelligence and toughness was long past his peak by the time he turned 40 on May 3, 1961 but the remnants of his peerless talents was still enough to beat more than 68 percent of the fighters he faced over the next four-and-a-half years. Robinson?s record after age 40 ? 30-10-3 (15) with one no-contest.

At age 47 in May 2011, Bernard ?The Executioner? Hopkins became the oldest man ever to win a major boxing championship after out-pointing WBC light heavyweight titlist Jean Pascal in Montreal, breaking George Foreman?s record of 45 years 310 days set in November 1994.

When ?Ancient Archie? turned 40 on December 13, 1956 he was shaking off the effects of his second failed crack at the world heavyweight title against Floyd Patterson, who, by winning, became the youngest man ever to win the undisputed heavyweight title and thwarted Moore?s attempt to become the oldest.

Still, Moore was the reigning light heavyweight champion, a title he had held since December 1952 when he dethroned Joey Maxim in his adopted hometown of St. Louis. Moore?s record after age 40 ? 26-2-2 (16).

When Foreman ended his 10-year retirement at age 38, the world responded with derisive laughter, condescension, criticism and concern. Big George, now an ordained minister, paid no mind to it and kept chugging along. His deeply-held faith, both in God and in himself, told him that his quest would eventually bear fruit and in the end he got the last laugh. Foreman?s record after age 40 ? 17-3 (12).

Many boxing pundits thought they had seen the last of ?The Easton Assassin? when Mike Tyson crushed the 38-year-old Holmes in less than four rounds. Holmes, however, knew differently. Holmes? record after age 40 ? 21-3 (10).

Other 40-year-old and above fighters who continued dancing atop the ring despite their age are: Kid Azteca, record after age 40 ? 25-1-2 (22); Roberto Duran, 18-7 (9); Vitali Klitschko, 3-0 (2) 18-7 (9); Thulane ?Sugar Boy? Malinga, 4-4 (2); Jack Britton, 30-11-3 (0) with one no-contest.

Photo: Manny Pacquiao jumps at an imaginary basketball ring during a break of his training at the Wildcard Gym in General Santos City Saturday in preparation for his upcoming fight against Andrien Broner of the United States on Jan. 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • IBA fully supports and endorses sex testing initiatives and invites all boxing bodies to embrace the same
    , Mon, 02 Jun 2025
  • OKC's SGA Vs. Indiana's Haliburton: The First Time in Decades Two Opposing Talented Shooting Guards of the Same Size and Lethality Clash in NBA Finals
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 02 Jun 2025
  • Knockout Punch: Cebuano AJ Paciones Powers Through to TKO Victory in Thailand, Edges Closer to World Title Showdown
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Jun 2025
  • Thunderdome 50 Results: Perth’s Francis Chua captures WBC glory
    , Mon, 02 Jun 2025
  • PH chess wizard 8-year-old Marius Constante shines in Metropolitan Chess Club Standard Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 02 Jun 2025
  • Carl Jammes Martin Shines in Dominant US Debut Victory in Las Vegas
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Yes (Pa)Cers, It's Indiana in the NBA Finals, Smothers New York Knicks in Game 6, 125-108
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • GM Quizon rules 1st Bino Car Rental Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Pacquiao vs. Barrios Press Conference: A Clash of Eras Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas (Photos)
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons slowly stepping out of his famous dad's shadow
    By Homer D. Sayson, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Bektemir Melikuziev Edges Darius Fulghum in Thrilling WBA Title Eliminator
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • A Bridge to Plant versus Charlo is the theme for PBC/Amazon Card on Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM LAS VEGAS: Plant - 167.2. lbs., Resendiz - 167 lbs.; Charlo - 167.4 lbs., LaManna - 166.6 lbs.
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BAM: I WANT TO BE POUND-FOR-POUND NUMBER ONE!
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • QUOTES FROM TODAY’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Reymart Soledad In Action for ABF Welter Strap in Brico Santig's Promotion in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Konuk, Chaiyapong Make Weight, Collide for UBO Youth World 140
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • World Boxing to introduce mandatory Sex testing for all boxers that want to Participate in its competitions
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • 2025 BOXING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE STREAMED LIVE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AJ Paciones Ready for WBO Oriental Battle in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BOXER JEAN PASCAL INDUCTED INTO THE BOXING CANADA HALL OF FAME
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 5 - ALI VS. FOREMAN IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 30 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.