FILE – Boxing promoter Bob Arum gives Manny Pacquiao a playful jab on the cheek following his weigh-in Floyd Mayweather on May 1, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN
MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao may have ended his career with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions but his best years were with Bob Arum and Top Rank.
Pacquiao joined Top Rank in 2005 at a time when he had established himself as a bonafide star, having already stopped Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in spectacular fashion in 2003 and eked out Juan Manuel Marquez in a 12-round war six months later.
He continued his rapid rise with Top Rank on his way to becoming the sport’s only eight-division champion when he obliterated Antonio Margarito for 12 rounds in 2010 for the light middleweight title, solidifying his status as one of the best fighters ever.
A highlight reel for the ages.
Thank you, @MannyPacquiao 🙏 pic.twitter.com/WfoLNJ2Lwn
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) September 29, 2021
In a video statement officially announcing his retirement, Pacquiao acknowledged his time with Top Rank, which promoted the most important fights—including the megafight with Floyd Mayweather in 2015— in his 26-year pro career.
“I want to recognize my former promoter Bob Arum and his team at Top Rank for negotiating and staging most of my biggest fights and successful events in my career,” said Pacquiao.
Top Rank returned the favor as it paid homage to Pacquiao on their social media platforms.
“@MannyPacquiao, it was our honor to be your promoter. We wish you nothing but the best in retirement,” Top Rank posted.
Eight-Division World Champion
Champion in Four Decades
Lineal Champion in 5 weight classesWhat an unbelievable career for the living legend. THANK YOU Manny Pacquiao! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/vkcr5CzSLe
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) September 29, 2021
The fighter-turned-lawmaker parted ways with the promotion in 2018 and signed with PBC later in the year.
Like Top Rank, PBC also had its own tribute post.