Boxing can throw up some surprises, from upsets to match ups being made to even old enemies working together, thanks to an incredible amount of money admittedly. But sometimes boxing is predictable, and today we saw one of the least bits of news the sport has ever given us, and that is that Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39) has been elected to join the legends in the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) and will be enshrined in Canastota in 2025, joining his trainer Freddie Roach in the Hall of Fame.
The Filipino great, who's career ran from 1995 to 2021 and saw him compete from Light Flyweight to Light Middleweight, and win world titles from, etched his name well beyond Bukidnon, where he was born, and General Santos City, where he lives, to becoming one of boxing's rare true global stars. He faced a genuine who’s who of who, during his 72 fight career and won recognised world titles at Flyweight, Super Bantamweight, Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight and Light Middleweight.
During his excellent career he beat a mix of fellow legends and contemporary greats. They included Chatchai Sasakul, who he beat in Thailand for his first world title, Lehlo Ledwaba, who he beat in his US debut in 2001, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Oscar Larios, Jorge Solis, David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito. Shane Mosley, Tim Bradley, Brandon Rios, Chris Algeiri, Jessie Vargas, Lucas Matthyse, Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman, who he beat when he was 40.
In a statement about being elected to the Hall of Fame 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," adding "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 knowing that in June, I will receive boxing's highest honor, 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.
The decision to inducted Pacquaio was an obvious one, but it was also the right one, and he will be the one stand out star being inducted, with other inductees being Michael Nunn, Vinny Paz, Yessica Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis, Mary Jo Sanders, Cathy "Cat" Davis, Kenny Bayless, Al Gavin, Harry Gibbs, Ross Greenburg Randy Gordon, Rodrigo Valdez, and Owen Smith".
