Manny Pacquiao revealed his delight after being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a first-ballot honoree.
The ‘Pac-Man’ earned his place after retiring in 2021 following a loss to Yordenis Ugas. Boxers must wait three years to be eligible for induction. Therefore, Pacquiao hit the criteria in 2024 on the back of a stellar career that included world titles in eight separate weight classes.
Discussing his induction, Pacquiao stated, “I am so happy that I have been selected to enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This certainly is a wonderful Christmas gift.
“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. Today, I am humbled to know that in June, I will receive the highest honor of boxing, 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.”
2012 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and seven-time Boxing Writers Association of America “Trainer of the Year” Roach also reacted to Pacquiao’s election to the IBHOF’s class of 2025.
During their 20-year tenure together, Pacquiao was the BWAA’s first Fighter of the Decade [‘2000 – 2009] and a three-time BWAA “Fighter of the Year.”
Roach said, “I opened my gym, Wild Card Boxing Club, hoping the next Muhammad Ali would walk through the door. Little did I know that in 2001, my Muhammad Ali would weigh 122 pounds. His name was Manny Pacquiao, and he was and still is the pride of the Philippines.
“For twenty years, after Manny and I first did mitts in the ring at Wild Card, we trained together for some of the biggest fights. As his collection of world championship belts grew, so did his presence in boxing and the world.
“Today’s announcement that Manny will be a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s class of 2025 makes me incredibly proud. As much as I loved working together with Manny all those years, I’m even happier sharing the same wall with him at the International Boxing Hall of Fame.”
Pacquiao joins rival Floyd Mayweather as a first-ballot Hall of Famer after the pair fought in the most lucrative fight of all time in 2015.
