Manny Pacquiao, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most beloved fighters in history, has achieved a remarkable milestone. On Thursday, it was announced that he has been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame's Class of 2025. This is a moment of great pride for Pacquiao and his fans around the world.

Pacquiao's Journey to Boxing Glory and Hall of Fame Induction

Early Beginnings and Family Struggles

Pacquiao's story began at a young age when he turned pro at 16 in the Philippines. He did so to provide for his poverty-stricken family. This decision set him on a path that would lead him to become a global boxing icon. His determination and drive in the face of adversity were evident from the start.Throughout his early career, Pacquiao showed remarkable skill and tenacity. He won his first title at 108 pounds and went on to conquer seven more weight classes, amassing an impressive 72 fights. His ability to adapt and excel in different weight divisions was truly remarkable.

The Pacquiao-Roach Partnership

One of the key factors in Pacquiao's success was his partnership with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. Together, they ascended to the top of the sport and remained there for over two decades. Roach saw something special in Pacquiao when he first stepped into the Wild Card Boxing Club in 2001.Pacquiao's journey with Roach was filled with hard work, dedication, and countless hours of training. Their bond was not only professional but also personal. Roach played a crucial role in shaping Pacquiao into the fighter he became.

Boxing Legacy and Record-Breaking Fights

Pacquiao's legacy in boxing is undeniable. He won titles in eight different weight classes and holds wins over a staggering eight fellow Hall of Famers, including Marco Antonio Barrera, Timothy Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Erik Morales, and Miguel Cotto.His 2015 fight with Floyd Mayweather shattered business records and set benchmarks that still stand today. The revenue generated from that single event, as well as the gate and pay-per-view buys, were unprecedented. Pacquiao's whirlwind style, blazing speed, and punishing left hand introduced countless people to the sport of boxing.

Rivalries and Memorable Fights

Pacquiao enjoyed one of boxing's best rivalries through four thrilling fights with Mexico's Marquez. These battles were fought with passion and intensity, captivating fans around the world. His trilogy with Mexico's Morales was also significant, although his 2001 loss to Morales is often remembered as the first fight he lost.Throughout his career, Pacquiao headlined in Las Vegas over and over again, often in events that generated 1 million-plus PPV buys. His star-making performance was an 11-round destruction of Barrera in 2003. His final signature victory was against Keith Thurman in 2019 at the age of 40.

Humanitarian Efforts and Humility

Pacquiao was not only a great fighter but also a generous and humble person. His charitable efforts for his homeland were widely recognized and appreciated. He used his platform to make a positive impact on the lives of others.Inside and outside the ring, Pacquiao's humility was evident. He was loved by fans for his down-to-earth nature and his ability to connect with people on a personal level.

Other Inductees and Their Stories

In addition to Pacquiao, the International Boxing Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 includes Michael Nunn and Vinny Paz. Nunn, 61, was elected nearly 22 years after his final fight. He held the IBF middleweight title and the WBA super middleweight title during his career.Paz, 61, is best known for his incredible comeback from a spinal injury. His story was the basis of the 2016 biopic "Bleed for This" starring Miles Teller. Paz held titles at lightweight and junior middleweight and scored wins over a 43-year-old Roberto Duran.The induction of these boxers highlights the rich history and diversity of the sport. Each of them has made significant contributions to boxing and will be remembered for years to come.

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn recently engaged in a discussion with Fight Hype regarding the latest developments in the boxing world. One of the key topics was Jaron 'Boots' Ennis seemingly declining an offer to fight against Vergil Ortiz. Hearn shed light on the situation, revealing that an offer was made for Boots to face Ortiz at 154 pounds, but Boots had limited time to consider it. Instead, he expressed his preference to remain at 147 pounds for a title unification, emphasizing that he had never had the chance to defeat an actual world champion in the ring.

Unraveling the Boots Ennis - Vergil Ortiz Dilemma

Details of the Offer and Boots' Decision

According to Hearn, after Boots' last fight, he mentioned in the ring that he might move up to 154 pounds and needed some time. They began discussing the boxing landscape and made offers to 147-pound fighters for a unification fight against Boots. Additionally, talks were held with (Alalshikh) about an Ortiz vs. Boots fight. When the initial offer came in at 147 pounds, it surprised Hearn. He double-checked and was confirmed that it was actually at 154 pounds. He then spoke to Boots and asked him to make a decision - whether to move to 154 or stay and unify at 147. Boots responded by saying he wanted to unify at 147 and needed about 24 to 48 hours to make a decision. Hearn explained that while everyone loves the Ortiz fight, it was not something they would do at the moment. Boots will be in a big fight at 147 next, and he will not be moving to 154 to fight someone else.This decision was based on Boots' desire to unify at 147 and his belief that he had never truly won a championship at that weight. He won the interim title and was upgraded to the full champion, and he wants to fight a champion at 147. Hearn respected Boots' decision and understood his reasoning.

Hearn's Personal Preference for Boots' Next Move

Hearn revealed that he wants to see Boots unify. The frustration was that they couldn't unify before and Boots had to fight Chukhadzhian. Ideally, they would have unified earlier, and Hearn thinks Boots might have taken the Ortiz fight if that had happened. He loves the fight against Ortiz and believes it would be a great matchup in terms of style. However, when Boots told him he wanted to stay at 147 to unify, Hearn couldn't blame him. Boots is up for any fight in the division but feels he needs to prove himself as a 147-pound champion first.Hearn also mentioned that Boots was disappointed with the fan reaction. If it was a defense of his 147-pound title or if he was a 154-pound fighter and turned down the offer, there would be more grounds for criticism. But since it's not his weight class, the decision is simple. If he moves to 154, the Ortiz fight would be the perfect one for him.Hearn emphasized that he needs to deliver something big for Boots after this decision. If they turn down the Ortiz fight, they better provide a fight that fans will appreciate. He promised that when they make their decision, fans will understand and see the value in it.