Pacquiao distances himself from “Mexicutioner" nickname

Eight-division titleholder Manny Pacquiao divorces himself from the nickname "Mexicutioner," which was bestowed upon him due to his dominance fighters of Mexican decent, in the most recent version of HBO's 24/7.

"I do not like the nickname 'Mexicutioner," said Pacquiao, who prefers the nickname, "Pac Man."

"I love the Mexican boxing fans and that name does not reflect my true feelings about Mexico and its people."

Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) will defend his WBO welterweight belt against three-division titlewinner and WBA and WBO lightweight beltholder Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs), of Mexico, whom Pacquiao has battled to a draw and a split-decision victory, as a featherweight and as a junior lightweight in May of 2004 and March of 2008, respectively.

Pacquiao won a title in a record eighth weight class when his unanimous decision victory over Antonio Margarito (38-7, 27 KOs), of Mexico, earned him the WBC's since-vacated junior middleweight belt in November.

The win over Margarito ran Pacquiao's undefeated streak to 14-0 with eight knockouts since losing to four-division beltwinner and current WBC junior welterweight titleholder Erik Morales (51-7, 35 KOs), of Tijuana, in March of 2005.

It also ran his mark against notable fighters of Mexican decent to 11-1-1, with seven knockouts.

Pacquiao's first significant victory over a Mexican legend began with an 11th-round knockout over Mexico City native Marco Antonio Barrera in November of 2003, a man he later unanimously decisioned in their return bout in October of 2007.

Pacquiao also has secured knockouts over Morales in the 10th and third rounds of their match-ups in January and November, respectively, of 2006.

The Filipino star also owns a decision over Oscar Larios and knockouts over Hector Velazquez, Jorge Solis, David Diaz and Oscar De La Hoya.

Lem Satterfield can be reached at lem.satterfield@gmail.com