Manny Pacquiao, one of boxing's biggest stars, says Mike Tyson got him into the sport. The Filipino fighter told Seconds Out that Tyson was his favorite boxer and the reason he started boxing in 1990.
Pacquiao's career has been impressive. He turned pro in 1995 and fought 72 times over three decades. At 19, he won his first world title at flyweight in 1998. From there, he kept climbing.
Pacquiao is the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight classes. He's fought some of the biggest names in the sport, including Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Tim Bradley, and Ricky Hatton.
When asked about his favorite fighter, Pacquiao didn't hesitate:
"Mike Tyson is my favourite fighter. The reason I became a boxer was because of Mike Tyson in 1990."
Tyson's career has had its ups and downs. He became the youngest world heavyweight champion ever and many think he's one of the best heavyweights of all time. But he retired in 2005 after losing two fights in a row.
Recently, at 58, Tyson made a comeback. He fought Jake Paul in a controversial bout and lost by unanimous decision after eight rounds.
Pacquiao believes this loss won't hurt Tyson's legacy in boxing. For him and many others, Tyson will always be remembered as a boxing great who inspired a generation of fighters.
