Manny Pacquiao, winner of titles in a record 8 weight classes, elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame
Manny Pacquiao, who won titles in a record eight weight classes, from flyweight to super welterweight, while becoming one of boxing’s biggest draws, was elected to the International Hall of Fame on Thursday boxing.
Pacquiao, who fought in some of the blockbuster fights of the 2000s before returning home to the Philippines to serve in its government, will be enshrined on June 8 as the top name in the Class of 2025.
Vinny Paz, who overcame a broken neck suffered in a car accident to resume his career, and two-division champion Michael Nunn were the other fighters elected in the men’s modern category.
A total of 14 individuals were selected for the museum in Canastota, New York, through voting by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians.
Pacquiao was an easy pick in his first year of eligibility after compiling a record of 62-8-2 with 39 knockouts during a professional career that began in 1995 and lasted until 2021.
“It’s certainly a wonderful Christmas present. Throughout my career, as a professional fighter and public servant, my goal has been to bring honor to my country, the Philippines, and to my fellow Filipinos around the world,” Pacquiao said. “Today, I am honored to know that in June, I will receive boxing’s highest honor, joining our national hero, Flash Elorde, and my trainer and friend Freddie Roach.
Weighing 106 pounds in his debut, Pacquiao worked his way up to win a title at the 154-pound limit, but never lost his speed as he packed on more pounds and overwhelmed naturally bigger fighters with dizzying flurry of powerful punches.
This led to victories over Mexican rivals such as Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, as well as Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley. He ended Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya’s career with an eight-round punch in 2008, one of three years in which he was voted “Fighter of the Year” by the BBWA, which also elected him “Boxer of the Decade” in 2000. -09.
Pacquiao becomes the fourth member of the Filipino Hall of Fame, joining Elorde, Pancho Villa and Lope “Papa” Sarreal.
Paz went 50-10 with 30 knockouts in a career that seemed over shortly after stopping Gilbert Dele to win the WBA welterweight title in 1991. He broke his neck six weeks later in the accident , but returned to the ring a little over a year ago. later.
The Rhode Island native, born Vincenzo Pazienza, scored two victories against Roberto Duran and won several super middleweight titles while fighting until 2004.
Nunn won the middleweight and super middleweight titles and compiled a record of 58-4 with 38 knockouts from 1984 to 2002.
“As a guy from a small town in Iowa, to have reached the highest heights in boxing makes me proud,” Nunn said.
The rest of the class includes former women’s champions Yessica Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis and Mary Jo Sanders; referees Kenny Bayless and Harry Gibbs; and cut man Al Gavin.
Broadcaster Randy Gordon and HBO producer Ross Greenburg were elected in the Observer category, alongside Cathy “Cat” Davis (female trailblazer), Rodrigo Valdez (alumni) and Owen Swift (trailblazer).
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