Canastota, NY – June 5, 2025 – The Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame (IBHOF) is about to honor its Class of 2025 this week, June 5–8, in a grand celebration of boxing’s best. Headlining the star-studded inductees is Filipino icon Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao, the one eight-division world champion in boxing historical past, alongside esteemed broadcaster and journalist Randy Gordon, a distinguished voice as Boxing Insider’s commentator. Becoming a member of them are a outstanding group of fighters, referees, and contributors who’ve left an indelible mark on the game. The induction weekend, held in “Boxing’s Hometown” of Canastota, New York, guarantees to be a historic gathering of boxing royalty.
Manny Pacquiao: A International Icon Enters Immortality
Manny Pacquiao, extensively considered one of many best boxers of all time, enters the IBHOF in his first 12 months of eligibility. With an expert profession spanning from 1995 to 2021, Pacquiao amassed a document of 62-8-2, together with 39 knockouts, and gained world titles throughout eight weight divisions—from flyweight to tremendous welterweight. His victories over Corridor of Famers like Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, and Oscar De La Hoya cemented his legacy as a pound-for-pound titan. Pacquiao’s thrilling type, marked by blistering velocity and relentless work price, made him a world sensation and a nationwide hero within the Philippines.
“I’m so comfortable that I’ve been chosen to enter the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame. This definitely is an excellent Christmas reward,” Pacquiao stated upon his election in December 2024. “At the moment, I’m humbled understanding that in June, I’ll obtain boxing’s highest honor, becoming a member of our nationwide hero, Flash Elorde, in addition to my coach and good friend Freddie Roach.”
Pacquiao’s induction comes as no shock, with voters like ESPN’s Mike Coppinger calling him a “slam-dunk” candidate. His coach, Freddie Roach, himself a 2012 IBHOF inductee, likened Pacquiao to Muhammad Ali, saying, “I opened my gymnasium, Wild Card Boxing Membership, in hopes that the following Muhammad Ali would stroll by the door. Little did I do know that in 2001, my Muhammad Ali would weigh 122 kilos. His identify was Manny Pacquiao, and he was and nonetheless is the satisfaction of the Philippines.”
Randy Gordon: The Voice of Boxing Honored
Randy Gordon, a multifaceted determine in boxing, is inducted within the Observer class for his a long time of contributions as a journalist, broadcaster, and former New York State Athletic Commissioner. As Boxing Insider’s commentator, Gordon’s insightful evaluation and keenness for the game have made him a beloved determine amongst followers. His profession additionally features a stint as editor-in-chief of The Ring journal, the place he helped form boxing journalism, and as a SiriusXM radio host, the place his storytelling introduced the game’s historical past to life.
Upon receiving the decision to the Corridor, Gordon expressed disbelief and pleasure: “I’ve received loads of nice telephone calls throughout my profession—from Bert Sugar to be editor of The Ring to the governor to turn into the commissioner of New York. However that is the best boxing enterprise name in my total life. Am I dreaming? Is that this true?”
Gordon’s induction acknowledges his position in preserving boxing’s legacy by media and his advocacy for fighter security throughout his time as a commissioner. His presence on the ceremony will undoubtedly resonate with followers who’ve adopted his commentary on Boxing Insider and past.
The Class of 2025: A Numerous and Storied Group
The 2025 class contains 14 inductees throughout a number of classes, voted in by the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and a panel of worldwide boxing historians. Alongside Pacquiao and Gordon, the next legends will probably be enshrined:
Males’s Fashionable Class:
Vinny Paz (“The Pazmanian Satan”), a two-division world champion identified for his coronary heart and comeback spirit, together with a outstanding return after a near-career-ending neck damage. Paz exclaimed, “That is the perfect telephone name I’ve ever taken! Like it, find it irresistible, find it irresistible!”
Michael Nunn (“Second To”), a former middleweight and tremendous middleweight champion, who stated, “That is the crowning second of my profession.”
Ladies’s Fashionable Class:
Yessica “Kika” Chavez, a former IBF junior flyweight and WBC flyweight champion from Mexico, celebrated for her technical prowess.
Anne Sophie Mathis, a French powerhouse who held WBA and WBC junior welterweight titles.
Mary Jo Sanders, a former WBA and WBC junior welterweight champion identified for her ability and tenacity.
Ladies’s Trailblazer Class:
Cathy “Cat” Davis, a pioneer who helped elevate ladies’s boxing in its early days.
Non-Participant Class:
Kenny Bayless, a revered referee who officiated numerous high-stakes bouts with equity and composure.
Al Gavin (posthumous), a legendary cutman whose work ensured fighters’ security.
Harry Gibbs (posthumous), a revered referee whose legacy endures within the sport.
Observer Class:
Ross Greenburg, former HBO Sports activities government whose productions elevated boxing’s world attain. Greenburg famous, “It’s an attractive honor. I put my coronary heart into it and all of the colleagues I labored with through the years put all the pieces into it as effectively.”
Outdated Timer Class:
Rodrigo Valdez (posthumous), a Colombian middleweight champion who competed from 1963 to 1980.
Pioneer Class:
Owen Swift (posthumous), an early determine in boxing’s historical past whose contributions laid the groundwork for the trendy sport.
A Weekend of Celebration
The IBHOF Induction Weekend, working from June 5 to June 8, 2025, will function a packed schedule of occasions at Canastota and the close by Turning Stone Resort On line casino. Followers can look ahead to ringside talks, a 5K race, a parade led by Grand Marshal Sydney Sweeney, autograph classes, and the induction ceremony itself on June 8, which will probably be streamed dwell.
The ceremony can even see the attendance of boxing greats like Nonito Donaire, a four-division world champion, who will be part of Pacquiao to have fun the festivities. “Nonito Donaire thrilled followers around the globe along with his thrilling and skillful ring type,” stated IBHOF Government Director Edward Brophy. “We’re thrilled that he’ll make his first go to to Canastota in June.”
A Legacy Preserved
The Class of 2025 embodies the resilience, braveness, and excellence that outline boxing. From Pacquiao’s unparalleled achievements within the ring to Gordon’s enduring voice behind the mic, this 12 months’s inductees signify the game’s previous, current, and future. As Canastota prepares to welcome followers from around the globe, the IBHOF Induction Weekend guarantees to be a becoming tribute to those legends.
“We’re extraordinarily excited in regards to the Class of 2025 and are very a lot wanting ahead to honoring the most recent class of inductees to earn boxing’s highest honor
