Manny Pacquiao, who won titles in a record eight weight classes from flyweight to super welterweight while becoming one of boxing's biggest draws, was elected Thursday to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Pacquiao, who fought in some of the blockbuster bouts of the 2000s before returning home to the Philippines to serve in its government, will be enshrined June 8 as the headline name in the 2025 class.
Vinny Paz, who overcame a broken neck sustained in a car crash to resume his career, and two-division champion Michael Nunn were the other fighters elected from the men's modern category.
In all, 14 people were selected for the museum in Canastota, New York, through voting by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians.
Pacquiao was an easy choice in his first year of eligibility after compiling a 62-8-2 record with 39 knockouts during a pro career that began in 1995 and lasted until 2021.
''This certainly is a wonderful Christmas gift. 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," Pacquiao said. "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.''
A 106-pounder when he debuted, Pacquiao rose all the way to win a title at the 154-pound limit, yet never lost his speed as he put on more pounds and overwhelmed naturally bigger fighters with a dizzying flurry of power punches.
That led to wins over Mexican rivals such as Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, along with Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley. He ended Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya's career with an eight-round pummeling in 2008, one of three years in which he was voted ''Fighter of the Year'' by the BBWA, which also voted him ''Boxer of the Decade'' for 2000-09.
