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Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025
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Manny Pacquiao Inducted into Boxing Hall of Fame as He Resumes Career
The boxing legend is poised to return to the ring at 46 after receiving Hall of Fame honors.
Manny Pacquiao was officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 8, 2025, during a ceremony held at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York.
Pacquiao’s induction recognizes a remarkable career during which he became an eight-division world champion, achieving titles in four different decades and setting the record as the oldest welterweight world champion in history.
Reflecting on his achievements, Pacquiao emphasized the significance of his journey from poverty to boxing stardom.
"Every fight, every victory was a step further from poverty.
It was not just for me but for my family, for the Filipino people," he stated.
In addition to Pacquiao, the 2025 Hall of Fame class included notable fighters such as Vinny Paz, a three-division champion who overcame serious injury, and Michael Nunn, a champion in both middleweight and super middleweight divisions.
The class also features female boxing pioneers Yessica Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis, Mary Jo Sanders, and Cathy “Cat” Davis, the latter of whom made history as one of the first women to obtain a pro boxing license from the New York State Athletic Commission in 1978.
During the ceremony, Davis commented on the significance of the ring awarded to inductees, expressing a sentiment on overcoming barriers in the sport.
The 2025 inductees also included boxing referees Kenny Bayless and Harry Gibbs, along with cutman Al Gavin, and industry figures such as broadcaster Randy Gordon and HBO producer Ross Greenburg.
Late boxing champions Rodrigo Valdez and Owen Swift were also honored in this year’s class.
Pacquiao, who retired in 2021 with a professional record of 62 wins, 8 losses, and 2 draws, is preparing for a return to the ring on July 19, 2025, where he is set to face WBC Champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.
He stated during the induction that he always sought the toughest opponents, a quest that contributed significantly to both his wealth and legacy.
In addition to his boxing accomplishments, Pacquiao served as a senator in the Philippines from 2016 to 2022 and made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency.
Expressing gratitude towards his fans and family during the ceremony, he remarked, "This is our victory.
This is our story and the best is yet to come."
Pacquiao’s induction recognizes a remarkable career during which he became an eight-division world champion, achieving titles in four different decades and setting the record as the oldest welterweight world champion in history.
Reflecting on his achievements, Pacquiao emphasized the significance of his journey from poverty to boxing stardom.
"Every fight, every victory was a step further from poverty.
It was not just for me but for my family, for the Filipino people," he stated.
In addition to Pacquiao, the 2025 Hall of Fame class included notable fighters such as Vinny Paz, a three-division champion who overcame serious injury, and Michael Nunn, a champion in both middleweight and super middleweight divisions.
The class also features female boxing pioneers Yessica Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis, Mary Jo Sanders, and Cathy “Cat” Davis, the latter of whom made history as one of the first women to obtain a pro boxing license from the New York State Athletic Commission in 1978.
During the ceremony, Davis commented on the significance of the ring awarded to inductees, expressing a sentiment on overcoming barriers in the sport.
The 2025 inductees also included boxing referees Kenny Bayless and Harry Gibbs, along with cutman Al Gavin, and industry figures such as broadcaster Randy Gordon and HBO producer Ross Greenburg.
Late boxing champions Rodrigo Valdez and Owen Swift were also honored in this year’s class.
Pacquiao, who retired in 2021 with a professional record of 62 wins, 8 losses, and 2 draws, is preparing for a return to the ring on July 19, 2025, where he is set to face WBC Champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.
He stated during the induction that he always sought the toughest opponents, a quest that contributed significantly to both his wealth and legacy.
In addition to his boxing accomplishments, Pacquiao served as a senator in the Philippines from 2016 to 2022 and made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency.
Expressing gratitude towards his fans and family during the ceremony, he remarked, "This is our victory.
This is our story and the best is yet to come."
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