Manny Pacquiao elected to International Boxing Hall of Fame
Manny Pacquiao, an adored figure in the Philippines and one of the most decorated boxers in history, has been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025, it was announced on Thursday, December 5 (Friday, December 6, Manila time).
Pacquiao, whose fast footwork and blistering speed of punches made him one of the top offensive fighters in the sport’s history, won world championships in a record eight weight divisions from flyweight to super welterweight.
The Filipino southpaw retired from boxing in 2021 after a 72-fight career during which he had 62 wins, 8 losses, and 2 draws.
A former Filipino senator who ran for president in 2022, Pacquiao also made a name for himself outside the ring as a politician, philanthropist, lawmaker, and singer.
He became the first Filipino athlete to appear on a postage stamp and was featured in Time magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2009.
“I am so happy that I have been selected to enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This certainly is a wonderful Christmas gift,” Pacquiao, 45, said in a statement released by the the Hall of Fame.
“Throughout my career, as a professional fighter and a public servant, it has been my goal to bring honor to my country, the Philippines, and my fellow Filipinos around the world.”
Pacquiao will join the ranks of his longtime coach Freddie Roach, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, as well as Filipino boxing icons Gabriel “Flash” Elorde (1993) and Francisco “Pancho Villa” Guilledo (1994), the most successful Asian boxer of his time.
The induction ceremony will be held on June 5-8 in Canastota, New York.
“Today, I am humbled knowing that in June, I will receive boxing’s highest honor, joining our national hero, Flash Elorde, as well as my trainer and friend Freddie Roach,” said Pacquiao.
“I am very grateful to those who voted for me, and I look forward to celebrating with family, friends, and fans at Induction Weekend in Canastota, New York.”
The Class of 2025 also includes Michael Nunn and Vinny Paz in the men’s boxing modern category; and Sophie Mathis, Mary Jo Sanders, and Yessica Chavez in the women’s category.
Cathy Davis was recognized in the women’s trailblazer category, while referees Kenny Bayless, and Harry Gibbs, as well as late cutman Al Gavin will enter via the non-participant category.
Randy Gordon and longtime HBO executive Ross Greenburg will also be feted for their work in media.
Colombian pugilist Rodrigo Valdez will join the old-timer category, while Owen Smith will be honored as a pioneer of the sport.
Pacquiao, who boxed professionally from 1995 to 2021, amassed a record of 62 wins (39 knockouts), 8 losses, and 2 draws, and highly considered one of the most successful Filipino athletes of all time.
The pride of General Santos City has fought some of the biggest names in boxing, facing several Hall of Famers in the process — Marco Antonio Barrera, Timothy Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar de La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Erik Morales, and Miguel Cotto.
His 2015 fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains one of the biggest fights in boxing history in terms of revenue generated from gate attendance and pay-per-view buys. – Rappler.com