Pacquiao set to join Boxing Hall of Fame

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao is about to enter boxing immortality.

The Philippines’ greatest boxer leads the latest batch to be inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June next year in New York.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced that Pacquiao, along with 13 others, will be joining its ranks during its induction rites.

In a statement, the 45-year-old Pacquiao welcomed the latest accolade in his decorated career.

“I am so happy that I have been selected to enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This certainly is a wonderful Christmas gift,” he said.

“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,” said the only boxer in history to win eight world titles in different weight classes.

He follows into the Hall of Fame his countryman Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, a 1960s super featherweight world champion who died in 1985 and in 1993 became the first Asian inducted into the Hall.

“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,” he added.

Even before reaching the end of his career, Pacquiao was already considered by pundits as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He compiled a pro record of 62-8-2 (with 39 knockouts), winning championships at flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight.

Joining Pacquiao in the Class of 2025 are fellow Men’s Modern category inductees Vinny Paz and Michael Nunn; Yessica Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis and Mary Jo Sanders in the Women’s Modern category; Cathy Davis in the Women’s Trailblazer category; referee Kenny Bayless; and cutman Al Gavin (posthumous). - With a report from AFP