On 17 September 1999 in Thailand, Manny Pacquiao suffered a devastating defeat that set the stage for his US invasion nearly two years later.
In Thailand, Pacquiao was on his second defense of the World Boxing Council flyweight throne against Medgoen '3K Battery' Singsurat. Even before he climbed the ring, he had to totally strip off after failing to make 112 lbs during the official weigh-in.
These rare pictures show a 21-year-old Pacquiao undressing while trying his best to make the weight, posing with his team prior to entering the ring, and waiting for his flight to Manila with his handlers Rod Nazario and Lito Mondejar at Don Muang International Airport in Bangkok, three days after losing the title. Photographs courtesy of Nick Giongco.
