Fight Synopsis:

September 13, 1997 witnessed Manny Pacquiao making his first and only appearance in the historic Cebu Coliseum. Pacman was one of the main draws in the now defunct weekly television boxing series “Blow by Blow”. Fresh from winning the OPBF flyweight title with a fifth round one punch knockout victory over Thailand’s Chokchai Chochvivat, he was pretty confident in this bout against Melvin Magramo.

Barely 19 years old and with a record of 20W-1L with 13 KO’s, he was to face a veteran with a then record of 23-12-2 with 13 KO’s. In this ten round non-title bout,both fighters traded bombs at the onset. Magramo used his experience advantage from Manny. He was even able to absorb and soak in Pacquiao’s vaunted left. He managed to crowd and hold Pacman who somehow tried to dish back some of his own. Every blow that landed from both protagonists drove the crowd into frenzy. Both fighters seem groggy at the midway point. Manny, especially would often go the opposing corner in between rounds apparently in a daze.

At this point in time, Manny was very crude and threw punches from an off balanced position. He also had walked straight in and defense was just an afterthought. Pacman certainly absorbed more than he should have during this fight. So when his hand was raised in victory in the end, some thought it dubious. After all, it was a hard earned ten round decision. Because of his lame or should I say almost nothing defense, many thought he wouldn’t last for long. Some even predicted that he will never be a world champ. Good thing, Pacquiao proved them wrong.