Philippines, 02 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao gets inducted by the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame


PhilBoxing.com




(L-R) Emmanuel Rivera and Robert Lyons, CEO of StarFlite International

Christmas arrived early for Manny Pacquiao—much earlier than the typical jumpstart to the Holiday Season which traditionally begins on the First of September in the Philippines.

On March 12, 2023, last spring, Manny Pacquiao earned his place among boxing’s greatest champions on Oscar Night, at the very location where the very concept of the Oscars took shape— Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.



President Rick Farris, VP Dan Hanley, and the board of directors of the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame honored Mr. Pacquiao with a stirring video tribute, a custom bead necklace by Echo Lynn, and a classic Cleto Reyes Glove and painting by famed Filipino artist Jun Aquino.

Nine months have passed since the memorable Banquet of Champions at the Biltmore Bowl ballroom, yet the excitement of celebrating boxing’s past and present legends remains vivid.

Icons like Sugar Ray Robinson, George Foreman, James Toney, Carlos Ortiz, Berry Gordy Jr., Álvaro “Yaqui” López, Carlos Zárate Serna, and Eddie Futch were part of this auspicious event. This prestigious gathering also paid homage to revered individuals such as Gene Lebell, Larry Merchant, Bob Case, Eliza Jane Olson, Jack Reiss, Mike Serrano, Julius Ballo, and others whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of boxing.

In the spirit of the Holiday Season, allow me to reminisce about the time when Amie Zonio—the sister of the late Aquiles Zonio who served as Mr. Pacquiao's esteemed press and media officer-in-charge— joined me on stage and honored the great Manny Pacquiao.




We are all Manny Pacquiao.

Good evening.

The 7,641 islands of the Philippines were fertile grounds that produced heroes.

First, there was a man named Lapulapu—the first Filipino Warrior to resist foreign conquerors. His name is etched in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people.

Secondly, there are the Overseas Filipino Workers. They are dedicated soldiers, sailors, healthcare and frontline workers, respiratory therapists, and tonight, the chefs, cooks, and waiters who most likely prepared our feast today.

The most celebrated of all Filipino heroes, then and now, are the boxers.

My late father, Hermie Rivera, used to call them Little Brown Dolls. They were fighters exported to Australia and the United States to save the fight game as early as the 1910s and twenties.

The most accomplished of them all is our next inductee.

Emmanuel Pacquiao, Sr., embodies the Filipino spirit with hard work, ingenuity, and generosity, much like the Filipino heroes that came before him.

He is, just to reiterate what’s already known, boxing’s only 8-division champion. He parlayed his skills and became a congressman, a senator, and ultimately the premier ambassador of The Sweet Science.

He created his MP Promotions to help future champions. His Manny Pacquiao Foundation aims to inspire future humanitarians.

On behalf of the 102 million Filipinos, and 5 million more of Filipino descent worldwide, we thank Mr. Rick Farris, Dan Hanley, and our newfound friends at the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame for honoring one of the best fighters of his era—Manny Pacquiao.

Mabuhay at Salamat.

Long Live and Thank You.

Emmanuel Rivera, Founder and Curator
Philippine Boxing Hall of Fame




(L-R) Amie Zonio and Emmanuel Rivera. Photo by Nate Wren.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.