Pacquiao inducted into Hall of Fame
INVOKING and attributing all of his ring successes to God, Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao was at the top of the class of 2025 who were inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in colorful and emotional rites at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York early morning yesterday (Sunday night in the US).
“I came from nothing, just a small boy from the streets of Gen. Santos City, no shoes, no chance, but with a dream in my heart. I know hunger, I know pain, I know what it means to be counted out. But I also know what God can do when you keep the faith and never give up,” Pacquiao, 46, said in his induction speech with wife Jinkee in the audience.
“Boxing gave me a way out, it turned my struggles into strength, my failures into lessons, my pain into purpose. from flyweight to junior middleweight, eight divisions,” stressed Pacman, who was clad in a smart black jacket and suit and whose entry into the induction venue was met by chants of “Manny, Manny!”
“Every fight, every victory was a step further from poverty. It was not for me, but for my family, for the Filipino people, for the fans and the glory of our God.”
With a remarkable record of 62 wins, 39 by knockout, against eight losses and two draws in over two decades of pro boxing, the Filipino boxing pride noted that “I never picked the easy fights, I chose the hard ones. I moved up weight after weight, not to protect my record but to test my limits.
“I never chased greatness. I just worked hard to be a better Manny Pacquiao than I was yesterday.”
As a result of the dedication, discipline, hard work and sacrifices, the charismatic prizefighter pointed to his magnificent ring resume:
“And now, when I look back, eight-division world champion, world champion in different decades, oldest world welterweight champion in history (at 40). Those are not just opinions. Those are facts.”
Once regarded as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer, he remained grounded and humble despite the accomplishments that many believe made him the GOAT (Greatest of All Time), saying: “That is not for me to decide. It belongs to the fans, it belongs to history.”
He paid tribute and singled out two American promoters who made it all happen.
“I want to especially thank two men who played a part in my boxing journey. To Bob Arum for helping me make my biggest fights in my career. You gave a kid from the Philippines a chance on what he could do. And to Al Haymon (of Premier Boxing Champions) for helping me in the latter part of my career,” Pacquiao said.
He did not leave out the trio of trainers – famed American corner man Freddie Roach, bosom trainer-friend Buboy Fernandez and strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune – who had been with him throughout his sensational prizefighting career.
Finally, Pacquiao said:
“And to every young boy and girl with a dream, don’t let your situation define your future. With God, nothing is impossible. All things are possible with God. As it says, in Joshua 1:9. Be Strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. And that is what happened to me.
“He (God) was with me from the slums of Sarangani to the bright lights of Las Vegas to here in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. I am thankful and grateful to God and the glory, honor and praises belong to Him. Not for Manny Pacquiao. This is your victory. And the best is yet to come.”
After a four-year layoff, his last sentence was the only obvious reference to his comeback fight when he challenges World Boxing Council welterweight champion Mario Barrios of the US on July 19 (July 20 in Manila) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
