As Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2; 39 KOs) won world titles in various categories, Michael Buffer and Jimmy Lennon Jr. were forced to stretch the Filipino’s pre-fight introduction more and more. ‘Pac-Man’ is the only boxer in history to have been champion in eight different weight divisions and is a milestone that not even his ‘arch-enemy’ Floyd Mayweather can boast. With such merits, it is not surprising that Manny has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in his first vote. The ceremony will take place in June 2025.
Pacquiao has received the greatest honor in boxing, once he met the requirement of three years retired. In 2021, he quit the ring after a defeat against Yordenis Ugaswith the world welterweight title at stake. His performance that night was not up to his legend and Pacquiao decided to put an end to his professional career. A couple of years earlier he became the fifth boxer in history to be champion after turning 40.
However, the best of Manny’s career took place before, especiallysince he arrived in the United States in 2001, already as a flyweight champion. There he was met by Freddie Roach to polish him and turn him into one of the fastest and most talented boxers ever seen. Together with Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, he returned boxing to the era of the ‘Four Kings’. During his career,he chose the dangerous path of not avoiding any opponent, and that is why all fans today feel like fans of one of the greatest in boxing history despite his scant 166cm height
The day he defeated the ‘giant’ Margarito, he completed the feat of becoming a monarch in an eighth division. However, Pac-Man’s greatness is also cemented in defeat, as he always got up. If he hadn’t, he would not have become welterweight king again after the terrifying knockout he suffered at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez. His numerous triumphs were always spectacular, because he was the most spectacular boxer of his time. After defeating Barrera, Morales and Marquez came victories over De la Hoya, Hatton and Cotto that made him legendary when he was just 31 years old.
“I’m very happy, it’s a wonderful Christmas gift. Today I feel honored to know that in June I will receive the highest honor in boxing and so I will be with our national hero, [Gabriel] ‘Flash’ Elorde, as well as with my trainer and friend, Freddie Roach,” Pacquiao said when he heard the news.
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