Manny Pacquiao was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 on Thursday, further cementing the Filipino’s legacy as one of the sport’s most iconic fighters.
Pacquiao headlined a group of 14 of inductees that will be enshrined June 5-8 in Canastota, N.Y. The 2025 class includes Vinny Paz, who returned from a major spinal injury sustained in a head-on collision to finish with 50 career wins, and Michael Nunn, a two-time champion whose name was finally called 22 years after his retirement from the sport.
Pacquiao, 45, earned the honor in his first year on the ballot after racking up 62 wins, including 39 by knockout, in 72 bouts during his 26-year professional career (1995-2021). He remains the only eight-division champion to date.
“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 said in a statement provided by the IBHOF. “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.
“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. 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.”
Pacquiao started boxing professionally at age 16 in an attempt to help his family overcome poverty in the Philippines. In the United States, he worked with Hall of Fame trainer Roach, a partnership that carried both to stardom and kept the duo there for more than 20 years.
Pacquiao won his first title at 108 pounds and moved up in weight classes throughout his career. He claimed his final title in 2019 at age 40, defeating Keith Thurman at 154 pounds to become the oldest welterweight champion in history. Pacquiao lost the final bout of his career to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.
Upon retiring from boxing, Pacquiao ran for president of the Philippines in 2022. He had served as a senator of his home country for the previous six years.
Pacquiao joins Elorde, Pancho Villa and Lope “Papa” Sarreal as the fourth Filipino Hall of Famer.
Pacquiao, Paz and Nunn were the men’s modern inductees, while Anne Sophie Mathis, Mary Jo Sanders and Yessica Chavez were honored in the women’s modern category.
–Field Level Media
