by A large part of Filipino culture is boxing. It is unique and interesting. It evokes pride as much as it is violent. At times, it may disconcert one. Over the years, Filipino boxing has produced crates of memories. The boxing world has witnessed the thundering legends and the underdogs. The unforgettable undercards of the ‘Manny Pacquiao fights’ encapsulate the power of the Pinoy boxer. Five of the most unforgettable Filipino boxing fights follow, for your perusal.
KEY POINTS
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez IV (2012)
Is it even plausible to the world of boxing to keep them on the edge of their seats with the Pacquiao-Márquez fights? Their 4th meeting in 2012 had been a fireworks display until the last second. By this stage, the boxers are more than accustomed to their own unique styles. The fight glued both men, who were knocked down to the floor. It was the sixth round; however, in this case, the sixth round was the deciding factor — a moment that sent shockwaves through the online betting community.
Marquez, the one who counter-slipped Pacquiao, had the privilege of landing a perfect right hand with a counter as Pacquiao was stepping in. The fascination in the world was lost, not because of the fury of the strike, but because the one who had fallen was Pacquiao. For many fans, it was the most disappointing finale, yet it became boxing history the moment this fight was done.”
Nonito Donaire vs. Naoya Inoue (2019)
Regarded by many as “Fight of the Year,” this match in Japan was nothing short of a modern-day classic. Donaire, a veteran, was up against Naoya Inoue, an undefeated puncher and much younger than Donaire. Many assumed that the match would not be competitive; they were mistaken — the kind of unexpected thrill you’d usually associate with a high-stakes live casino experience.
Donaire pushed Inoue as much as anyone has, landing significant bombs and even breaking the undefeated fighter’s nose. Although Donaire lost by unanimous decision, he gained an enormous amount of respect, showing the world that Filipino grit is the real thing.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto (2009)
This was the fight that made Pacquiao a true boxing legend. Facing Cotto, the pride of Puerto Rico, many wondered whether, with Cotto’s size and strength, Pacquiao would be able to handle the opposition.
Not at all. Cotto was overwhelmed with the speed and combinations that Pacquiao delivered, leading to Cotto being dropped at will. In the 12th round, the fight was stopped.
Gabriel “Flash” Elorde vs. Harold Gomes (1960)
None other than Gabriel “Flash” Elorde is one of the most notable Filipino boxers in history. The fight, which he won in 1960 against Harold Gomes, changed the course of history for boxing in the Philippines. He fought in the Araneta Coliseum and won in front of the home crowd by dominating Gomes for the world junior lightweight title.
Winning the case wasn’t winning the case alone. Elorde’s win is a source of national pride. Many fans were extremely enthused by Elorde’s victory, and his performance motivated younger aspiring boxers.
Jerwin Ancajas vs. Teiru Kinoshita (2017)
Jerwin Ancajas is an equally impressive Filipino boxer. One of the most memorable boxing matches of his entire career would definitely be the one fought against Teiru Kinoshita, in which he easily defended his IBF junior bantamweight title. The bout took place in Australia and was showcased along with the much-anticipated bout of Manny Pacquiao and Jeff Horn.
His calm and clinical approach to boxing gained him a lot of attention and positive comments. People slowly started acknowledging Ancajas as one of the boxing greats, as the fight proved the Philippines’ continuous bright future in boxing. The referee, to everyone’s surprise, stopped the fight in the seventh round as Jerwin Ancajas displayed exceptional footwork with even more brilliant precision used to attack his opponent.
One Short List: What Makes These Fights Stand Out?
- High stakes: Every match involved a title, legacy, or career-defining moment.
- Pure action: These were not slow, defensive bouts. They were aggressive, emotional, and intense.
- Filipino heart: Whether win or lose, these fighters showed courage, resilience, and pride.
Looking at the Numbers
To give more context to these iconic fights, here’s a quick breakdown of some fight stats that made headlines at the time:
| Boxer | Opponent | Year | Method of Outcome | Location |
| Manny Pacquiao | Juan Manuel Marquez | 2012 | KO (Round 6) | Las Vegas, USA |
| Nonito Donaire | Naoya Inoue | 2019 | Unanimous Decision | Saitama, Japan |
| Manny Pacquiao | Miguel Cotto | 2009 | TKO (Round 12) | Las Vegas, USA |
| Gabriel Elorde | Harold Gomes | 1960 | TKO (Round 7) | Quezon City, PH |
| Jerwin Ancajas | Teiru Kinoshita | 2017 | TKO (Round 7) | Brisbane, Australia |
Final Thoughts
Filipino boxers have gained recognition in the boxing industry based on their thrilling performances and decisive actions. Pacquiao and Elorde, alongside Donaire and Ancajas, are culturally treasured fighters and are sure to elicit the wishes of fans. Such boxes are not only regarded as sports events, but rather as an ephemeral manifestation of the prevailing national spirit.
