Pacquiao set for induction into the US National Boxing Hall of Fame

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Manny Pacquiao is set to receive his second Hall of Fame recognition in three years, adding another milestone to his legendary list of boxing achievements.

During the 3rd Pacquiao Elorde Awards Night on April 30, 2026, boxing executive Eric Schmidt announced that the Filipino icon will enter the US National Boxing Hall of Fame in April 2027.

Fresh off his enshrinement in the International Boxing Hall of Fame last year in New York, Pacquiao now joins Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Pancho Villa, and Ceferino Garcia as the only Filipinos to receive at least two Hall of Fame inductions.

Pacquiao fits the bill as the sport’s only eight-division world champion, who had his most memorable fights there and was previously tagged as the “most loved” boxer in the US during his heyday.

Every time Pacquiao was lined up at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, AT&T Stadium, and Michelob ULTRA Arena, boxing organizers always expected a sold-out main event card, as the Filipino’s explosive style, blended with a combination of artistry and brutality, was always sought after by Americans.

Pacquiao took the US by storm in 2001, when he came in as a late replacement against South African champion Lehlo Ledwaba for the International Boxing Federation super bantamweight belt.

Despite accepting the title fight on two weeks’ notice, Pacquiao dominated Ledwaba from the get-go and scored a technical knockout win.

After that big break, Pacquiao’s professional boxing career skyrocketed in the US.

He treated millions of boxing fans to notable showdowns against Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, Keith Thurman, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Currently, Pacquiao is gearing up for a highly anticipated rematch with his archrival, Mayweather, on Sept. 19, 2026, likely to take place at T-Mobile Arena or the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

While originally announced as a professional bout, Mayweather’s camp claimed that the rematch would be fought under an exhibition format.

Pacquiao and MP Promotions then swiftly denied Mayweather’s statements, emphasizing that there is already a signed contract for a pro fight that will reflect their respective win-loss records.

Before meeting again, both fighters will have respective exhibition bouts, with Pacquiao squaring off against Russia’s Ruslan Provodnikov, while Mayweather is set to challenge Mike Tyson on April 25, 2026, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to honor the 52nd anniversary of the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle.”