Pacquiao sets record as only active Hall of Famer
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 10 Jun 2025
The only man to win world titles in eight divisions continues to make boxing history. Last Sunday, Manny Pacquiao was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, and is the only active fighter in the honor roll that lists 155 stars in the modern category where the eligibility requirement is a retirement or inactivity of at least three years with the last bout no earlier than 1989.
When Pacquiao was voted a first ballot inductee last December, he had not fought since 2021. Pacquiao announced his comeback five months later to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19. Sugar Ray Leonard was a similar case. He was voted in January 1997, un-retired to fight in March and was inducted in June so technically, wasn’t yet a Hall of Famer on his comeback.
Only two Hall of Famers un-retired to fight again. Roy Jones, Jr. was inducted in 2022, five years after his last fight, then returned to lose to Anthony Pettis on points in 2024 at 54. Mike Tyson was enshrined in 2011 and ended a 19-year retirement to drop a decision to Jake Paul last year at 58. If and when Pacquiao beats Barrios, he’ll be the first Hall of Famer ever to end a layoff of at least three years and win. That would be another record.
There have been 504 inductees in the Hall of Fame since it was instituted in 1989 with 155 in the modern category, 134 under oldtimers (last fight no earlier than 1893 and no later than 1988), 44 under pioneer (last fight before 1892), six under women’s trailblazers (last fight no later than 1988), 13 under women’s modern (last fight no earlier than 1989), 98 under non-participants (contributors to the sport, including promoters, referees, judges, trainers) and 54 under observers (media).
Of 504 inductees, only 13 were Asians, seven in the modern category, namely Flash Elorde (inducted in 1993), Masahiko (Fighting) Harada (1995), Khaosai Galaxy (1999), Chang Jung Koo (2010), Myung Woo Yuh (2013), Yoko Gushiken (2015) and Pacquiao (2025). Under oldtimers are Pancho Villa (1994), Masao Ohba (2015) and Pone Kingpetch (2023). Under non-participants are Papa Sarreal (2005) and Akihiko Honda (2009) and under observers is Joe Koizumi (2008). Pacquiao has beaten seven Hall of Famers in his career, namely, Marco Antonio Barrera, Tim Bradley, Miguel Cotto, Oscar de la Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Sugar Shane Mosley and Erik Morales.
Nonito Donaire is expected to be inducted when he retires but several other Filipinos deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, including referee Carlos (Sonny) Padilla, referee/judge Bruce McTavish and fighters Ceferino Garcia and Luisito Espinosa.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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