Manny Pacquiao`s extraordinary boxing career will be celebrated with his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, on Sunday.
Typically, those entering the IBHOF have long since retired from the sport, but Pacquiao is an exception.
Although his peak fighting years are behind him, the 46-year-old is set to return to the ring on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, facing Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title, nearly four years after his last fight.
Many in the boxing community believed Pacquiao`s illustrious career had concluded. However, he announced his return to make `history.` `Pac Man` already holds a unique place in boxing history as the only fighter to win titles in eight divisions. A win against Barrios would make him the first fighter to capture a world title *after* being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
He is also trying to surpass his own record as the oldest welterweight (147 pounds) world champion (currently 40 years, 215 days). Only two other boxers, heavyweight George Foreman and light heavyweight Bernard Hopkins, have won world titles at age 46 or beyond.
But Pacquiao is not the only notable figure entering the Hall. Here`s a look at the other inductees in the Modern category and what distinguishes their careers.
Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) started his career at 16 in poverty in the Philippines. He incredibly won his first world title at flyweight (112 pounds) at just 18 in 1998. By 2010, he had claimed his eighth weight division title at junior middleweight (154 pounds).
His career significantly advanced after moving to Los Angeles to train with Freddie Roach, with whom he is now reunited for the Barrios fight. Under Roach`s guidance, Pacquiao defeated numerous future Hall of Famers: Marco Antonio Barrera, Timothy Bradley Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Erik Morales, and Miguel Cotto. His 2015 decision loss to Floyd Mayweather (another Hall of Famer) generated over 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and more than $400 million in revenue, plus over $70 million in ticket sales.
Pacquiao`s aggressive, high-energy style made him a highly popular, must-watch fighter. He had memorable rivalries with Mexican stars Erik Morales (2-1) and Juan Manuel Marquez (2-1-1). For several years, he was considered the best pound-for-pound fighter, often ranked ahead of Mayweather.
Some of his most impressive performances and knockout wins included fights against Morales, Hatton, Barrera, Cotto, and David Diaz. After a devastating knockout loss to Marquez in their fourth bout in 2012, he rebounded with a late career surge, defeating Keith Thurman and Adrien Broner in 2019.
Pacquiao`s exceptional hand speed, footwork, movement, and punch output distinguished him throughout his career, although these attributes showed decline after he turned 40. In his most recent bout in August 2021, he lost a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas (a late substitute for Errol Spence Jr.). Since then, he has been active in his other career as a senator in the Philippines.
Pacquiao is ranked No. 2 on ESPN`s list of the top 10 men`s boxers of the 21st century, second only to Mayweather. The 5-foot-5 fighter consistently overcame bigger opponents during his career. He mentioned previous Filipino boxers as his inspiration as his IBHOF induction approaches.
`I am deeply honored to join my fellow countrymen — Gabriel `Flash` Elorde [junior lightweight champion 1960-67], Francisco Villaruel Guilledo [more widely known as Pancho Villa, flyweight champion 1923-25] and legendary promoter Lope `Papa` Sarreal — in the prestigious International Boxing Hall of Fame,` Pacquiao told ESPN.
`I stand on the shoulders of these icons and of other Filipino boxing heroes who paved the way before me, including Ceferino Garcia [world middleweight champion 1939-40], Eleuterio `Little Dado` Zapanta [bantamweight champion 1940, flyweight champion 1938-43] and Erbito Salavarria [WBC flyweight champion 1970-71, WBA flyweight champion 1975-76].
`Their courage, talent and legacy continue to inspire generations. I look forward to the day when even more Filipino fighters earn their place among boxing`s elite — champions who carry forward the proud tradition of our nation and bring honor to the Philippines and Filipinos around the world.`
Vinny Paz
Vinny Paz (50-10, 30 KOs) is perhaps most renowned for his incredible comeback from a severe neck injury in a 1991 car crash, where he suffered a dislocated vertebra and two fractured vertebrae. `The Pazmanian Devil` sustained this injury shortly after winning the WBA junior middleweight title from Gilbert Dele. His boxing career seemed over, and doctors told him he might never walk again. He wore a metal head halo and neck brace during recovery.
Remarkably, 14 months later, the Rhode Island native defeated Luis Santa in his return fight, beginning a nine-fight winning streak. This run ended when he was stopped in the sixth round by a prime Roy Jones Jr. while challenging for the IBF super middleweight title in 1995. Paz`s life story was the subject of the 2016 movie `Bleed for This,` starring Miles Teller.
`So Happy! So Honored,` Paz told ESPN via text. `I still remember watching Muhammad Ali and Roberto Duran [two fighters Paz will join in the IBHOF] when I was a kid! My Hero`s!`
Born Vincenzo Edward Pazienza, he shared the ring with prominent fighters including Roberto Duran, Roy Jones Jr., Hector `Macho` Camacho, Roger Mayweather, Herol Graham, Lloyd Honeyghan, and Greg Haugen. Paz defeated Haugen via unanimous decision to win the IBF lightweight title in 1987 but lost the belt in a decision rematch later that year. He won another decision against Haugen in 1990 but was unsuccessful in three attempts to win the junior welterweight title.
Michael Nunn
Michael Nunn (58-4, 38 KOs) successfully won world titles at both middleweight and super middleweight during a highly competitive era. These divisions were particularly challenging at the time. `Second to` Nunn`s success, going 11-4 in world title bouts with wins over notable opponents like Iran Barkley, Marlon Starling, and fellow Hall of Famer Donald Curry, is a testament to his skill.
From Davenport, Iowa, Nunn turned professional after narrowly missing a spot on the 1984 US Olympic team. He held the IBF middleweight title from 1988 to 1991 and the WBA super middleweight title from 1992 to 1994. Nunn lost the lineal middleweight title to James Toney by TKO in the 11th round in 1991, despite being ahead on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage. He also challenged unsuccessfully for the light heavyweight title in 1998.
Among his best victories were two in 1998: a devastating first-round KO via left hook against Sumbu Kalambay, and a 9th-round KO of Frank Tate in his first world title fight. Following his boxing career, Nunn was sentenced to 24 years in prison for drug trafficking in 2004 and was released in 2019.
Yessica Chavez
Yessica Chavez (32-5-3, 4 KOs), who retired in 2021 after a decision win over Susy Kandy Sandoval, won world titles in the junior flyweight and flyweight divisions. The Mexican fighter claimed the IBF junior flyweight title in 2011 and defended it three times before moving up a division. She had a longer reign as WBC flyweight champion (2015-2017) with six defenses, including two decision victories against Esmeralda Moreno.
Mary Jo Sanders
Mary Jo Sanders (25-1-1, 8 KOs) was an early trailblazer in women`s professional boxing, capturing major world titles across four divisions: junior welterweight, welterweight, junior middleweight, and middleweight. Her record shows only two blemishes, both in her final two bouts against fellow Hall of Famer Holly Holm in 2008 – a decision loss and a draw. Sanders, from Detroit, is the daughter of NFL Hall of Famer Charlie Sanders.
Anne Sophie Mathis
Anne Sophie Mathis (27-4-1, 23 KOs) was known as a formidable puncher, defeating notable opponents such as Cindy Serrano, Holly Holm, and Jane Couch (another Hall of Famer). The French fighter held world titles at junior welterweight (2006-2008) and welterweight (2011). She retired in 2016 after losing to Cecilia Braekhus while challenging for the undisputed welterweight championship.
The Class of 2025 also includes other distinguished inductees:
- Referees Kenny Bayless and Harry Gibbs (posthumous) in the Non-Participant category.
- Cutman Al Gavin in the Non-Participant category.
- Cathy `Cat` Davis in the Women`s Trailblazer category.
- Broadcaster/Journalist Randy Gordon and Television Producer Ross Greenburg in the Observers category.
- Rodrigo Valdez (posthumous) in the Old Timer category.
- Owen Swift (posthumous) in the Pioneer category.