Philippines, 17 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Pacquiao sets record as only active Hall of Famer


PhilBoxing.com





The only man to win world titles in eight divisions continues to make boxing history. Last Sunday, Manny Pacquiao was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, and is the only active fighter in the honor roll that lists 155 stars in the modern category where the eligibility requirement is a retirement or inactivity of at least three years with the last bout no earlier than 1989.

When Pacquiao was voted a first ballot inductee last December, he had not fought since 2021. Pacquiao announced his comeback five months later to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19. Sugar Ray Leonard was a similar case. He was voted in January 1997, un-retired to fight in March and was inducted in June so technically, wasn’t yet a Hall of Famer on his comeback.

Only two Hall of Famers un-retired to fight again. Roy Jones, Jr. was inducted in 2022, five years after his last fight, then returned to lose to Anthony Pettis on points in 2024 at 54. Mike Tyson was enshrined in 2011 and ended a 19-year retirement to drop a decision to Jake Paul last year at 58. If and when Pacquiao beats Barrios, he’ll be the first Hall of Famer ever to end a layoff of at least three years and win. That would be another record.

There have been 504 inductees in the Hall of Fame since it was instituted in 1989 with 155 in the modern category, 134 under oldtimers (last fight no earlier than 1893 and no later than 1988), 44 under pioneer (last fight before 1892), six under women’s trailblazers (last fight no later than 1988), 13 under women’s modern (last fight no earlier than 1989), 98 under non-participants (contributors to the sport, including promoters, referees, judges, trainers) and 54 under observers (media).

Of 504 inductees, only 13 were Asians, seven in the modern category, namely Flash Elorde (inducted in 1993), Masahiko (Fighting) Harada (1995), Khaosai Galaxy (1999), Chang Jung Koo (2010), Myung Woo Yuh (2013), Yoko Gushiken (2015) and Pacquiao (2025). Under oldtimers are Pancho Villa (1994), Masao Ohba (2015) and Pone Kingpetch (2023). Under non-participants are Papa Sarreal (2005) and Akihiko Honda (2009) and under observers is Joe Koizumi (2008). Pacquiao has beaten seven Hall of Famers in his career, namely, Marco Antonio Barrera, Tim Bradley, Miguel Cotto, Oscar de la Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Sugar Shane Mosley and Erik Morales.

Nonito Donaire is expected to be inducted when he retires but several other Filipinos deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, including referee Carlos (Sonny) Padilla, referee/judge Bruce McTavish and fighters Ceferino Garcia and Luisito Espinosa.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Perfect foe, perfect outcome
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • Prospects Collide Results: Rajon Chance Defeats Yan Carlos Perez
    , Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • Undefeated Russian super middleweight Petr “The Surgeon” Khamukov to headline This Friday in Long Beach on DAZN
    , Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • International Boxing & MMA Consultants Appointed to serve as El Salvador Professional Combat Sport Commission
    , Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • Sasotize teams champion and 1st runner up in 2nd JCI Senate Chess Tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Jun 2025
  • USA Boxing’s Elite High Performance Team Concluded World Boxing Championship 2025 With Nine Medals
    , Mon, 16 Jun 2025
  • "The Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire Makes Stunning Comeback, Wins Interim WBA 118-lbs Title in Argentina!! (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • DAZN is Set to Make Exciting Debut in Thailand with Thrilling Dream Boxing/Highland Boxing Show
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • Hitchins Dominates, Stops Kambosos Jr. in Eighth Round to Retain IBF Super Lightweight Title
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • THAI SIMSRI READY FOR CHRISTIAN ARANETA IN IBF WORLD TITLE SHOWDOWN THURSDAY IN JAPAN; WILL THE CEBUANO “BOMB” STOP HIM?
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • Pinoy Power! Pacquiao, Donaire, and Araneta Ready to Shine in World Title Fights
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • “PROSPECTS COLLIDE” TAKES CENTER STAGE
    , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • Nonito Donaire Favorite to Beat Andrés Campos for WBA Interim World Title; Both Men Make Weight Ready in Argentina!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Oklahoma Forces 2-2 Finals Series Tie, Starves Indiana for Point in 111-104 Win
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • PROSPECTS COLLIDE OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Hitchins vs. Kambosos: Can George Be More Than A Faded Name?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Four Boxers Advance to Gold Medal Matches on Day Three of World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM NEW YORK: HITCHINS - 140 LBS., KAMBOSOS - 139.4 LBS.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Gaviola to face Narukami in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Pacquiao Steps Up Training
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Balla stops Cabalquinto in 4th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Eight-year-old Marius Constante sweeps 5-round chess fest in Cebu
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and Top Lightweight Contender Edwin De Los Santos Part Ways Amicably
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Unification WBA & IBA Pro title fight Albert Batyrgaziev vs James Dickens to crown boxing show in Istanbul on 2 July
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • How the Ring's P4P Ranking Has Strayed from the Norms of Nat and Nigel
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 13 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.