Who Did Manny Fight After Barrera? Tracing Pacquiao's Boxing Path

Manny Pacquiao, a name that echoes through the halls of boxing history, truly solidified his place as a global icon after his memorable encounters with Marco Antonio Barrera. People often wonder about the next steps for a fighter of his caliber, so it's a good question to ask. His career, you know, just kept building after those significant fights.

For many fans, the period following the Barrera bouts marks a time when Pacquiao transformed from a very exciting puncher into a true legend. He faced a series of top-tier opponents, each contest adding another layer to his incredible story. These were contests that really showed his remarkable skill and determination.

His fights after Barrera were not just about wins; they were about proving his versatility across different weight classes and against various styles. This stretch of his career, in a way, showed the world what a truly special athlete he was. It was a time of growth and incredible performances.

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Table of Contents

• Manny Pacquiao: A Brief Biography
• The Barrera Legacy and What Came Next
• The Juan Manuel Márquez Saga: Rematches and Rivalry
  • Márquez II (March 2008)
  • Márquez III (November 2011)
  • Márquez IV (December 2012)
• Rising Through the Ranks: Lightweight and Beyond
  • David Díaz (June 2008)
  • Oscar De La Hoya (December 2008)
  • Ricky Hatton (May 2009)
• Welterweight Dominance and Mega-Fights
  • Miguel Cotto (November 2009)
  • Joshua Clottey (March 2010)
  • Antonio Margarito (November 2010)
  • Shane Mosley (May 2011)
• The Later Years and Final Bouts
  • Timothy Bradley Series
  • Floyd Mayweather Jr. (May 2015)
  • Jessie Vargas (November 2016)
  • Jeff Horn (July 2017)
  • Lucas Matthysse (July 2018)
  • Adrien Broner (January 2019)
  • Keith Thurman (July 2019)
  • Yordenis Ugás (August 2021)
• Frequently Asked Questions

Manny Pacquiao: A Brief Biography

Manny Pacquiao, known widely as "PacMan," is a truly remarkable figure. He comes from the Philippines and has achieved a lot in his life. His boxing career is, you know, something special.

He is the only eight-division world champion in boxing history. That means he won titles in eight different weight classes. He also became a senator in his home country. He's a very public figure, both in sports and in politics, so.

The Barrera Legacy and What Came Next

Manny Pacquiao fought Marco Antonio Barrera twice. The first fight, in 2003, saw Pacquiao win in a big way. It was a true breakthrough moment for him. People started to take serious notice of his talent, you know, after that.

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Their second meeting happened in October 2007. This time, Pacquiao secured a clear decision victory. It was a dominant display, cementing his status as a top fighter. So, after this second Barrera fight, everyone wondered what was next for the Filipino dynamo.

His path forward was certainly going to be interesting. He had already beaten one of the best. The boxing world, too, was really buzzing about his next moves. It was a time of much anticipation.

The Juan Manuel Márquez Saga: Rematches and Rivalry

One of the most defining rivalries in modern boxing is that between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Márquez. Their fights were, you know, legendary. They had four incredible contests, each one a classic in its own right.

Márquez II (March 2008)

Just a few months after his second win over Barrera, Pacquiao stepped into the ring again with Juan Manuel Márquez. Their first fight, in 2004, ended in a controversial draw. This rematch was, so, highly anticipated.

The fight was for the WBC Super Featherweight title. It was a truly close contest, back and forth, you know. Both fighters showed incredible heart and skill. Pacquiao ultimately won by a split decision, a very narrow victory.

Many fans and experts had different opinions about who truly won. This fight, in a way, just added to the mystery and excitement of their rivalry. It was clear they were destined to meet again, perhaps.

Márquez III (November 2011)

Years later, after both fighters had achieved so much, they met for a third time. This bout was at the welterweight limit. Pacquiao was, by this point, a global superstar, a very big name in the sport.

This fight, too, was incredibly competitive. Márquez seemed to land some really clean shots. Pacquiao, though, kept pushing forward. The decision, again, went to Pacquiao, this time by a majority decision. It was another very close call.

The crowd, you know, had mixed reactions. Some felt Márquez deserved the win. This outcome, in some respects, just fueled the demand for a fourth fight. It left a lot of people wanting more, obviously.

Márquez IV (December 2012)

The fourth meeting between Pacquiao and Márquez happened in late 2012. This was, in a way, the most dramatic of their encounters. Everyone was eager to see how it would unfold, so.

The fight was a truly brutal affair. Both men traded heavy blows. In the sixth round, Márquez landed a powerful right hand. Pacquiao fell face-first to the canvas. It was a stunning knockout, a very shocking moment for many.

This fight, you know, gave Márquez a definitive victory in their long series. It was a powerful end to one of boxing's truly great rivalries. It showed just how unpredictable boxing can be, as a matter of fact.

Rising Through the Ranks: Lightweight and Beyond

After his second Márquez fight, Pacquiao continued his ascent through the weight classes. He was not afraid to challenge himself. This period, too, really showed his ambition and desire to achieve more.

David Díaz (June 2008)

Pacquiao moved up to the lightweight division to face David Díaz. Díaz was the WBC Lightweight champion at the time. This was a chance for Pacquiao to claim a title in yet another weight class, you know.

Pacquiao put on a dominant performance. He knocked Díaz out in the ninth round. This win made him a five-division world champion. It was a clear sign of his growing power and skill, obviously.

This victory, in some respects, proved he could carry his power to higher weights. It set the stage for even bigger challenges. He was really on a roll, you know, at this point.

Oscar De La Hoya (December 2008)

One of the biggest fights of Pacquiao's career came against Oscar De La Hoya. This was a super fight, a very big event. De La Hoya was a boxing legend, a huge name in the sport.

The fight was contested at welterweight, a weight class much higher than Pacquiao's usual. Many people thought Pacquiao was too small for De La Hoya. They believed he would struggle, pretty much.

Pacquiao, though, completely dominated the fight. He was faster, sharper, and landed many clean punches. De La Hoya's corner stopped the fight in the eighth round. It was a truly shocking outcome for many observers.

This victory, you know, launched Pacquiao into superstardom. It made him a household name around the world. It showed he could beat much bigger opponents, too. It was a defining moment, as a matter of fact.

Ricky Hatton (May 2009)

Next, Pacquiao moved down slightly to face Ricky Hatton at light welterweight. Hatton was a very popular British fighter, known for his aggressive style. This was another big test for Pacquiao, so.

Pacquiao delivered one of his most spectacular knockouts. He floored Hatton twice in the first round. Then, in the second round, he landed a devastating left hand that put Hatton out cold. It was a truly brutal finish.

This win, in a way, cemented Pacquiao's reputation as a knockout artist. It showed his incredible punching power. He was, really, at the peak of his offensive capabilities at this time.

Welterweight Dominance and Mega-Fights

Pacquiao's career continued to reach new heights, especially as he settled into the welterweight division. He faced some of the biggest names in boxing. These fights were, you know, major events for the sport.

Miguel Cotto (November 2009)

Pacquiao challenged Miguel Cotto for the WBO Welterweight title. Cotto was a tough, strong champion from Puerto Rico. This was, you know, another very significant fight for Pacquiao.

The fight was a very intense battle. Pacquiao's speed and relentless punching were too much for Cotto. He knocked Cotto down twice. The fight was stopped in the twelfth round, a clear victory for Pacquiao.

This win made Pacquiao a seven-division world champion. It was an incredible feat, a true testament to his skill. He was, you know, breaking records and making history, basically.

Joshua Clottey (March 2010)

Pacquiao's next opponent was Joshua Clottey. This fight took place at the new Cowboys Stadium in Texas. It was a very big event, attracting a huge crowd, so.

Clottey was a durable fighter with a strong defense. He spent much of the fight covering up. Pacquiao landed many punches, but couldn't get the knockout. He won by a clear unanimous decision, as a matter of fact.

This fight showed Pacquiao's ability to break down a defensive opponent. It was a solid performance, you know, even if it wasn't a knockout. He still dominated the action, pretty much.

Antonio Margarito (November 2010)

Pacquiao then moved up to light middleweight to face Antonio Margarito. This fight was for the vacant WBC Light Middleweight title. Margarito was a much bigger man, a very strong fighter.

Pacquiao put on an incredible display of skill and heart. He battered Margarito for twelve rounds. Margarito suffered severe facial injuries, including a fractured orbital bone. Pacquiao won by a dominant unanimous decision.

This victory made Pacquiao an eight-division world champion. It was a truly historic achievement, something no other boxer has done. It showed his willingness to take on any challenge, you know, regardless of size.

Shane Mosley (May 2011)

After the tough fight with Margarito, Pacquiao faced Shane Mosley. Mosley was a respected veteran, a former multi-division champion. This was another big name on Pacquiao's record, too.

Pacquiao knocked Mosley down early in the fight. Mosley then seemed to move a lot and avoid engagement. Pacquiao won by a wide unanimous decision. It was a comfortable win for him, in a way.

This fight, you know, showed Pacquiao's continued dominance at welterweight. He was still at the top of his game. He was, like, a very difficult opponent for anyone to face, obviously.

The Later Years and Final Bouts

As Pacquiao's career continued, he faced new challenges and some truly memorable opponents. He remained a very active fighter, even as he got older. His later fights were, you know, still very much in the spotlight.

Timothy Bradley Series

Pacquiao had a three-fight series with Timothy Bradley. The first fight, in June 2012, ended in a controversial split decision loss for Pacquiao. Many people felt Pacquiao had won the fight, so.

They had a rematch in April 2014. Pacquiao won this one by a clear unanimous decision, reclaiming his WBO Welterweight title. It was a satisfying victory for him, you know, after the first fight.

Their third fight happened in April 2016. Pacquiao won again by unanimous decision, securing the trilogy. It showed he still had a lot left in the tank, as a matter of fact.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (May 2015)

The most anticipated fight of Pacquiao's career was against Floyd Mayweather Jr. This fight had been talked about for years. It was called the "Fight of the Century," a very big deal, you know.

The fight broke all financial records. It was a massive event, truly. Mayweather won by unanimous decision. He used his defensive skills and counter-punching to control the fight, pretty much.

While Pacquiao lost, the fight was still a huge moment in boxing history. It was, in a way, the culmination of years of speculation. Everyone