The legal age to box professionally was 18, and he had to lie about his age to be able to fight. Were there any reprimands once the truth was found out or was it just let go? Anyone know?
Different countries have different limits, IIRC Juan Diaz made his debut at 16, Jose Benevidez was 17, El Radar was 15 I think...
So by the time he became international, it didn't matter anymore? It didn't look like it was the norm in the PI at least since he said in an interview that he had to put he was 18 (and put metal in his pockets to make weight)
Wilfredo "El Radar" Benitez was 15+2 monthswhen he debuted and was world champion aged 17+6months Just a couple more: Koki Kameda 17+1 month debut, world champion 19+8 months Daiki Kameda 17+1 month debut, first title fight 18+9 months
i think it is legal to turn pro at age 16 in mexico whereas it is not legal in the philippines until age 18 so pacquiao or his handlers had to change his age in his birth certificate just so he can box professionally. that is where the phrase, pac was fighting "fully grown men" as a kid and there's a time when pac said that he could not even meet the minimum weight requirement that he has to put some weights inside his pocket for a weight-in. btw, pac was a world lineal champ before reaching age 20.
all these guys are no match to my grampa, my grampa turned pro when he was 12....he didn't get to fight though nyahaha.
It's boxing in the Philippines don't be silly, they didn't asked for a birth certificate. And even if they did 10 pesos would have been proof enough.
You can be a 15 or 16 and fight in the Midwest. Boxing commentator and former light weight titlist Seam O Grady turned pro at 15.