Enshrined in the hall of fame: Pacquiao cements his place in pantheon of boxing greats

CEBU, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao galvanized his place in the pantheon of boxing greats after the Filipino sports hero was enshrined to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in a formal ceremony on June 8 (Monday, June 9 Philippine time) at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York.

The only eight-division world champion in history was inducted with the Class of 2025 that also included Michael “Second To” Nunn, Vinny Paz, Mary Jo Saunders, Yessica Chavez and Anne Sophie Mathis.

“I came from nothing into something,” Pacquiao said in a report by Nate Marrero of the prestigious Ring Magazine. “That was the beginning of my life and career, but I didn’t give up. I worked hard, I sacrificed and believed in God and prayed to God and did a lot of things to become what I have done.”

Pacquiao is the fourth Filipino who entered the Hall of Fame after the legendary Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and Pancho Villa, and promoter/matchmaker Lope “Papa” Sarreal.

During his brilliant professional career that began in 1995, Pacquiao carved a record of 12 world titles in eight different weight classes.

Among his victims were fellow Hall of Famers Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and Shane Mosley as well as the famous Mexican trio of Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Erik Morales.

Now, Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39KOs) girds for his highly anticipated ring comeback against World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (29-2-1, 18KOs) on July 19 in Las Vegas.

This comes four years since his decision to retire following his shock defeat to Yordenis Ugas in their WBA Super welterweight championship bout in August 2021.

Hoping to defy Father Time, the 46-year-old Pacquiao strongly feels that he still have what it takes to be a world champion again.

“I’m returning because I miss my boxing,” Pacquiao said. “I always thought, even when I hung up my gloves, ‘I can still fight, I can still feel my body, I can still work hard.”

“I’ve rested my body for four years. And now I come back.” — (FREEMAN)