Recently, it was announced that Manny Pacquiao, the icon of Filipino boxing, leads the list of new nominees for the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF). The recent voting revealed his inclusion on the list of candidates eligible for induction in 2025. The induction ceremony will take place from June 5 to 8 in Canastota and at the nearby Turning Stone Casino in New York.
The voting for induction has been sent to voters worldwide. Alongside Pacquiao, other notable names have been added to the list of new candidates. Shawn Porter, Lucian Bute, and Mikey García are included in the Modern category. In the women’s category, Yessica Chávez from Mexico and Jessica Rakoczy from Canada appear for the first time on the ballot. The Italian Bruno Arcari has also been added to the veterans’ ballot.
The pioneer ballot also includes the English boxer Owen Swift. Meanwhile, veteran trainer and cutman Russ Anber may receive his plaque in the museum. Referee Kenny Bayless and Italian promoter Salvatore Cherchi are also nominated.
The observers include Argentine journalist Ernesto Cherquis Bialo. He shares the ballot with Randy Gordon and Kevin Iole. This variety of candidates reflects the rich history and talent in the world of boxing. The contributions of these boxers and trainers have left an indelible mark on the sport. Excitement grows as the induction event approaches.
Manny Pacquiao’s Professional Career
It is important to highlight that Pacquiao is recognized as one of the greatest boxers in history. Throughout his career, he conquered titles in eight weight categories within the sport. His professional journey was marked by famous bouts, including the four confrontations with Juan Manuel Márquez and the trilogy against Erik Morales. However, the most important fight of his career was against Floyd Mayweather in 2015. Although Pacquiao managed to defeat Márquez and Martínez, he would later be defeated by Mayweather by unanimous decision.
Today, talking about Manny Pacquiao is synonymous with discussing a legend in the boxing world. At 40 years old, he became the oldest welterweight champion. This happened in 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman for the WBA welterweight title. His professional career ended in 2021 after a loss to Yordenis Ugas. Since his retirement, Pacquiao has participated in two exhibition matches. In the first, he faced DK Yoo on December 11, 2022, where he emerged victorious by unanimous decision.
On July 28 of this year, he had an exhibition against Rukiya Anpo at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. It is worth mentioning that, although it was not an official result, Pacquiao demonstrated his skill in the ring during the three rounds of the exhibition. Regarding his future, there was speculation about a possible return against the WBC welterweight champion, Mario Barrios. However, plans for a potential fight did not come to fruition. Barrios will face Abel Ramos on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card on November 15.
Pacquiao was seen in the United Kingdom during the fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. Reports suggest that he is seeking a fight in England. Amir Khan and Conor Benn are mentioned as possible opponents. This pursuit of new challenges showcases Pacquiao’s passion for boxing.
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