Manny Pacquiao is set to be honored for his illustrious boxing career with induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this Sunday in Canastota, New York. While most inductees attend the ceremony with their fighting days firmly in the past, Pacquiao presents a unique case.
Despite his prime years being undeniably behind him, the 46-year-old is planning a return to the ring after nearly four years away. He is scheduled to face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on July 19 in Las Vegas.
The boxing world had largely assumed Pacquiao`s remarkable career was over, but he announced his comeback with the goal of making “history.” “Pac Man” already holds a significant place in boxing lore as the only fighter to win world championships in eight different weight classes. A win against Barrios would add another unprecedented achievement: becoming the first fighter to claim a world title while already a Hall of Famer.
He is also aiming to surpass his own record as the oldest world champion at 147 pounds (set at 40 years, 215 days). Only two other boxers, heavyweight George Foreman and light heavyweight Bernard Hopkins, have won world title fights at the age of 46 or older.
Pacquiao isn`t the only legend entering the Hall this year. Here’s a look at the other inductees in the Modern category for 2025, highlighting their special contributions to the sport.
Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao, with a record of 62-8-2 and 39 KOs, began his career at 16, emerging from poverty in the Philippines. Astonishingly, he secured his first world title at just 18 in 1998 at flyweight (112 pounds). By 2010, Pacquiao had conquered his eighth weight division, winning a junior middleweight (154 pounds) title.
His career gained significant momentum after moving to Los Angeles to train with Freddie Roach, with whom he has reunited for the upcoming Barrios fight. Under Roach`s guidance, Pacquiao defeated a roster of fighters who would also become Hall of Famers, including 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, was a massive event, generating 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, over $400 million in revenue, and more than $70 million in ticket sales.
Pacquiao`s relentless, aggressive “buzzsaw” fighting style made him a highly popular and mandatory-watch boxer. He forged great rivalries with Mexican fighters Morales (2-1) and Marquez (2-1-1). For many years, he was widely considered boxing`s best pound-for-pound fighter, often ranked ahead of Mayweather.
Some of Pacquiao’s most memorable performances and spectacular knockout wins included those against Morales, Hatton, Barrera, Cotto, and David Diaz. He overcame a devastating knockout loss to Marquez in their fourth bout in 2012 to enjoy a late career resurgence with victories over Keith Thurman and Adrien Broner in 2019.
What truly distinguished Pacquiao during his career were his incredible hand speed, footwork, movement, and high punch output. However, these attributes showed signs of decline after he turned 40. In his last fight in August 2021, Pacquiao lost a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas (a late replacement for Errol Spence Jr.). Outside of boxing, he has been actively involved in politics, serving as a senator in the Philippines.
Pacquiao is ranked No. 2 in ESPN`s list of the top 10 men`s boxers of the 21st century, trailing only Mayweather. Despite being 5-foot-5, he consistently triumphed over larger opponents throughout his career. As his IBHOF induction nears, Pacquiao cited previous Filipino boxers as his inspiration.
“I am deeply honored to join my fellow countrymen Gabriel `Flash` Elorde, Francisco Villaruel Guilledo, 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, Eleuterio `Little Dado` Zapanta, and Erbito Salavarria.”
“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,” he added.
Vinny Paz
Vinny Paz (50-10, 30 KOs) is arguably most famous for his extraordinary return to boxing following a severe head-on car crash in 1991. The accident left him with a dislocated vertebra and two fractured vertebrae in his neck shortly after he had won the WBA junior middleweight title by defeating Gilbert Dele. His boxing career appeared to be over, and doctors even told Paz he might never walk again. His recovery required wearing a rigid metal head halo and neck brace.
Remarkably, just 14 months later, the Rhode Island native returned to the ring and defeated Luis Santa, beginning a nine-fight winning streak. This impressive run concluded when he was stopped in the sixth round by a dominant Roy Jones Jr. while challenging for the IBF super middleweight title in 1995. His incredible life story was chronicled in the 2016 movie, `Bleed for This,` starring Miles Teller.
“So Happy! So Honored,” Paz shared via text message to ESPN. “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, Paz faced many notable opponents throughout his career, including Roberto Duran, Roy Jones Jr., Hector `Macho` Camacho, Roger Mayweather, Herol Graham, Lloyd Honeyghan, and Greg Haugen. Paz won the IBF lightweight title by unanimous decision against Haugen in 1987 but lost the belt in a rematch later that year, also by decision. 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 claimed world titles in both the middleweight and super middleweight divisions during a period of intense competition. These weight classes were particularly challenging at the time, yet Nunn`s quality is evident in his 11-4 record in world title fights, including victories over top fighters like Iran Barkley, Marlon Starling, and fellow Hall of Famer Donald Curry.
Nunn, hailing from Davenport, Iowa, turned professional after narrowly missing a spot on the 1984 Los Angeles 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 via TKO in the 11th round in 1991, despite being ahead on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage. He also unsuccessfully challenged for the light heavyweight title in 1998.
Among his most significant wins were two in 1988: a crushing first-round knockout of Sumbu Kalambay with a left hook and a ninth-round KO of Frank Tate in his first world title fight. After his boxing career concluded, Nunn was sentenced to 24 years in prison in 2004 for drug trafficking; he was released in 2019.
Yessica Chavez
Yessica Chavez (32-5-3, 4 KOs), who retired in 2021, was a world champion in both the junior flyweight and flyweight divisions. The Mexican fighter won the IBF junior flyweight title in 2011, making three successful defenses. She then moved up in weight and enjoyed a longer reign as WBC flyweight champion from 2015 to 2017, successfully defending her title six times, including two decision victories over Esmeralda Moreno.
Mary Jo Sanders
Mary Jo Sanders (25-1-1, 8 KOs) was a pioneering figure in the early era of women`s professional boxing, capturing major world titles across four divisions: junior welterweight, welterweight, junior middleweight, and middleweight. Her record features only two non-wins, both in her final two bouts against fellow Hall of Famer Holly Holm in 2008, resulting in 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 renowned as a formidable puncher, securing victories against notable fighters including Cindy Serrano, Holly Holm, and Jane Couch, another Hall of Famer. Mathis, representing France, held world titles at junior welterweight (2006-2008) and welterweight (2011). She retired from boxing in 2016 after challenging Cecilia Braekhus for the undisputed welterweight championship and losing the bout.
Other individuals being inducted in the Class of 2025 include referees Kenny Bayless and the late Harry Gibbs, alongside cutman Al Gavin in the Non-Participant category. Cathy `Cat` Davis will be inducted in the Women`s Trailblazer category. Broadcaster and journalist Randy Gordon, along with television producer Ross Greenburg, are entering under the Observers category. The late Rodrigo Valdez is inducted in the Old Timer category, and the late Owen Swift in the Pioneer category.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow