Manny Pacquiao to enter US National Boxing Hall of Fame next year

MANILA, Philippines, May 10 ------ Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is set to add another accolade to his lengthy list of accomplishments. After being enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame last year, Pacquiao, this time, will be inducted into the US National Boxing Hall of Fame sometime in April 2027. “I am announcing that next year, April 2027, Pacquiao will join Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde in the National Boxing Hall of Fame,” boxing executive Eric Schmidt said during the 3rd Pacquiao Elorde Awards at Okada Manila.

The California-based organization honors boxers and trainers from all over the world who have “significance to the United States of America.” Pacquiao, the sport’s only eight-division world champion, most certainly fits the bill. He made his US debut in June 2021 in spectacular fashion with a six-round demolition of South African champion Lehlo Ledwaba at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao won the IBF super bantamweight crown despite being a late replacement on just two weeks’ notice.

That was just his first of many more memorable moments on US soil. One of boxing’s biggest draws during his heyday, he remains a hot ticket at this stage of his career. Last July, Pacquiao, who came off a four-year retirement, nearly made history at 46 years old against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Barrios escaped with a majority draw before a sold-out crowd at MGM Grand Garden Arena, which even unveiled a banner at the rafters honoring Pacquiao for a record 16th appearance at the venue.

Pacquiao is set to make his ring return in a September rematch against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas. Just last week, one of Pacquiao’s trainers, Marvin Somodio, who is based in the US at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club, became the first Filipino trainer to enter the National Boxing Hall of Fame.

Source: inquirer.net