Former Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, who won world titles in eight different weight classes, from flyweight to super welterweight, was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the United States today.
Pacquiao, 45, who turned to politics after hanging up his gloves, was the first world champion in eight different weight classes, winning 11 world titles in total, and reached the peak of his career in the 2000s, when he participated in some of the most high-profile fights of the decade.
“This is certainly a wonderful Christmas gift. 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,” said Manny Pacquiao, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on June 8, 2025.
Pacquiao, trained by fellow Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, compiled a total of 62 wins, eight draws and two losses, with 39 KOs, during a professional career that began in 1995 and lasted until 2021.
“As his collection of world championship belts grew, so did his presence in boxing and the world. After all these years, I am even more fortunate to share the same wall with him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame,” said Freddie Roach of his former protégé.
Pacquiao becomes the fourth Filipino to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining his idol Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde, Pancho Villa and Lope ‘Papa’ Sarreal.
A total of 14 people were selected for the Canastota, New York, museum where the Hall of Fame is located, through voting by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians.
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