Manny Pacquiao gets visit from first title opponent Chatchai Sasakul

MANILA, Philippines—Before Manny Pacquiao became the face of boxing, he was a scrawny teenager looking to make a name in the sweet science.

He left Blow by Blow, a kickstarter for aspiring Filipino boxers, fought in Japan, then travelled to Thailand for his first world title fight.

Pacquiao, 18-years-old in June of 1998, fought the 28-year-old Chatchai Sasakul of Thailand.

Sasakul was the WBC and lineal flyweight champion of the world. Pacquiao was just a blonde-haired kid.

For eight rounds, Pacquiao annihilated Sasakul in front of a distraught home crowd. He took his first of many world titles.

Fast forward to 2015, Pacquiao is a global icon and Sasakul trains up-and-coming Thai boxers. They meet in a Thai restaurant in Los Angeles, as Phlboxing.com reported.

“I was so motivated to win that fight, I trained hard and the outcome was so rewarding. I knocked him out in the eighth round,” Pacquiao toldPhilboxing.com.

Pacquiao and Sasakul have decided they are now good friends.

“He earned my respect after that fight. He’s a great fighter yet so humble,” Sasakul said. “He’s a good role model not just for the Thai or Asian fighters but for boxers all over the world. He has gone a long way.”

A long way did Pacquiao take. From his $7,000 purse in the Sasakul fight, Pacquiao has a guaranteed $80 million for his mega fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“I wish him good luck. His victory would bring further honor to the Malayan race and to all Asians,” Sasakul said. “Pacquiao is also very popular in my home country.”