ON Monday (Manila time), Manny Pacquiao takes his well-deserved place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.
Pacquiao, who is making a ring comeback next month at age 46, is hands-down the star of this year’s batch to be inducted at Canastota, New York.
READ: Ancajas, Magsayo, Marcial to fight in Pacquiao-Barrios undercard
To be inducted with ‘Pacman’ are former junior middleweight champion Vinny ‘The Pazmanian Devil’ Paz and ex-middlewight and super-middleweight title holder Michael Nunn in the men’s modern category, while Yessica Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis, and Mary Jo Sanders comprise the women’s modern category.
Others in the batch include referee Kenny Bayless, who worked on several of Pacquiao’s legendary fights, along with Ross Greenburg, former president of HBO Sports and television producer, who made documentaries on big Pacquiao bouts against Oscar Dela Hoya, Miguel Cotto, and Antonio Margarito.
The only boxer to win titles in eight world divisions, Pacquiao is the fourth Filipino to be enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame which began its annual rites in 1990.
Blazing the trail for Pacquiao were the late Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde, Pancho Villa, and Lope ‘Papa’ Sarreal, the former grand old man of Philippine boxing.
Elorde was the first Filipino and Asian to be inducted to the institution in 1993 (modern category) for being the longest-reigning super-featherweight title holder for seven straight years from 1960-67.
A year after, Villa followed suit (old-timer category) as the first Asian and Filipino world champion in 1923 until the time of his death in 1925. He is so far the only orthodox fighter from the Philippines to be recognized in the Hall of Fame.
Sarreal made it to the Hall of Fame in 2005 as promoter (non-participant category) for being the top Asian promoter, manager, and matchmaker during his time. He’s credited for producing 22 world champions including Elorde, who was his son-in-law. He is the only Filipino non-fighter to be inducted.
Pacquiao present
Pacquiao and his entourage that included Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, wife Jinkee, and MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons arrived in New York Sunday (Manila time) for the scheduled Banquet of Champions at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Event Center.
Several Hall of Famers were on hand for the four-day celebration, including former Pacquiao opponent Erik Morales, Roy Jones, and referee Joe Cortez, who were all seen in the company of the Filipino boxing great.
Also attending the event ceremony on Monday (Manila time) are the scion of the Elordes – promoter Johnny, his wife Liza, and their families.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
