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Manny Pacquiao, Mikey García, and Shawn Porter Headline 2025 International Boxing Hall of Fame Nominees

Updated: 5 days ago

10/01/24

The International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) has officially announced its nominees for the Class of 2025, and the ballot is stacked with some of the most accomplished names in the sport. Among the first-time nominees headlining the men’s modern category are eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, four-division world champion Mikey García, former welterweight world champion Shawn Porter, and former super middleweight world champion Lucian Bute.

Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) is one of the most accomplished and celebrated boxers in history, often hailed as the “Pride of the Philippines” and widely regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time. Manny Pacquiao’s boxing career is one of the most extraordinary stories in the sport, making him a global icon.

From humble beginnings in the Philippines, Pacquiao rose to become the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, a record unlikely to be broken. Known for his blistering speed, explosive power, and relentless aggression, Pacquiao’s career spanned over 25 years and was filled with legendary bouts against some of the biggest names in boxing.

Pacquiao made his professional debut at the age of 16 on January 22, 1995, as a light flyweight (106 lbs) in the Philippines. Starting with modest earnings in local Philippine fights, he quickly gained a reputation as a fierce competitor. His first major achievement came in 1998, when he knocked out Chatchai Sasakul to win the WBC Flyweight Title. This victory introduced him to the international stage and demonstrated his tremendous knockout power.

Pacquiao’s early years also saw some setbacks. In 1999, he lost the flyweight title to Medgoen Singsurat by TKO. After losing the flyweight title, Pacquiao moved up in weight, a decision that would define his career. In 2001, he won his second world title by defeating Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF Super Bantamweight Title.

Pacquiao’s first of many career-defining moments came in 2003 when he shocked the world by stopping Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera to win The Ring Featherweight Title. This upset victory catapulted him to superstardom and began what would be known as the “Pacquiao vs. Mexican Legends” series. He went on to face Juan Manuel Márquez, with their first fight ending in a dramatic draw after Pacquiao knocked Márquez down three times in the first round.

In 2006, Pacquiao won the WBC International Super Featherweight title and followed that by defeating Érik Morales in their trilogy, solidifying his place as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters.

Pacquiao’s most dominant stretch came as he moved up from lightweight to welterweight. In 2008, he defeated David Díaz to win the WBC Lightweight Title, making him a four-division champion. Later that year, Pacquiao moved up again to welterweight to face Oscar De La Hoya in a high-profile fight. Pacquiao dominated De La Hoya, forcing him to retire in his corner, which many saw as a passing of the torch.

In 2009, Pacquiao became The Ring Junior Welterweight Champion by knocking out Ricky Hatton in just two rounds, a highlight-reel knockout that is still remembered today. He continued his ascent by defeating Miguel Cotto to win the WBO Welterweight Title, becoming a seven-division world champion.

In 2010, Pacquiao added the WBC Super Welterweight Title to his collection after defeating Antonio Margarito, achieving an unprecedented eighth world title in different weight classes.

As Pacquiao transitioned to the later stages of his career, he faced Timothy Bradley in 2012, losing in a highly controversial decision. However, he avenged that loss in 2014 and cemented his legacy further by defeating Chris Algieri.

Pacquiao’s biggest fight came in 2015, when he finally faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the most anticipated bout of the modern era. Although Pacquiao lost by unanimous decision, it was the highest-grossing fight in boxing history.

In 2016, Pacquiao briefly retired after a win over Bradley but returned to defeat Jessie Vargas for the WBO Welterweight Title. In 2019, he made history again by defeating Keith Thurman to win the WBA Welterweight Title at 40 years old, becoming the oldest welterweight champion in history.

Pacquiao fought his final bout in August 2021, losing to Yordenis Ugás in a fight for the WBA Welterweight Title. Shortly after, Pacquiao officially announced his retirement, bringing to a close a legendary career that spanned 72 fights, 62 wins, 39 knockouts, and eight world titles in as many divisions.

Manny Pacquiao’s nomination to the Hall of Fame comes as no surprise. The only boxer to win world titles in eight weight divisions, Pacquiao’s legendary career spanned more than 25 years, marked by victories over some of the biggest names in the sport. Known for his speed, power, and remarkable longevity, Pacquiao captured titles from flyweight to super welterweight, making him one of the most versatile fighters in boxing history. His iconic battles with Juan Manuel Márquez, Érik Morales, and Oscar De La Hoya, among others, solidified his place as one of the greatest fighters of all time.

Mikey Angel García (40-2, 30 KOs) was one of the most skilled technical boxers of his era, known for his precise punching, strong fundamentals, and adaptability across multiple weight classes. García, born on December 15, 1987, in Oxnard, California, comes from a boxing family, with his father and brother both serving as his trainers.

García captured his first world title in 2013 by defeating Orlando Salido for the WBO Featherweight Title. Later that year, García moved up in weight and won the WBO Super Featherweight Title by defeating Roman Martinez.

In 2017, after a hiatus from boxing due to legal issues, García returned and won the WBC Lightweight Title by knocking out Dejan Zlatičanin. García added another belt to his collection in 2018 by defeating Sergey Lipinets for the IBF Super Lightweight Title.

García was a four-division world champion, a rare feat that puts him among the best of his era. His attempt to move up to welterweight in 2019 to challenge Errol Spence Jr. was unsuccessful, as he lost by unanimous decision, but García’s legacy as a multi-division champion remains intact. He retired in 2021 with a record of 40 wins (30 KOs) and just two losses.

“Showtime” Shawn Porter (31-4-1, 17 KOs), born on October 20, 1987, in Cleveland,Ohio, was known for his relentless pressure fighting, rugged style, and versatility inside the ring. His physical strength and ability to impose his will on opponents made him a feared competitor in the welterweight division.

Porter won his first world title in 2013 by defeating Devon Alexander for the IBF Welterweight Championship. He successfully defended the title against Paulie Malignaggi before losing it to Kell Brook in 2014. In 2018, Porter claimed the vacant WBC Welterweight Title by defeating Danny García in a hard-fought contest.

Porter faced top welterweights throughout his career, including close and competitive bouts with Keith Thurman (2016), Errol Spence Jr. (2019), and Terence Crawford (2021). His fight with Spence, where he lost a split decision, is considered one of the best welterweight battles of recent years.

Shawn Porter retired in 2021 after a TKO loss to Terence Crawford, finishing his career with a record of 31 wins (17 KOs), 4 losses, and 1 draw. Known for never ducking a challenge, Porter fought nearly every major welterweight of his era and was widely respected for his warrior spirit.

Lucian Bute was a dominant figure in the super middleweight division, holding the IBF title for nearly five years. Known for his slick southpaw style and powerful body punches, Bute defended his belt nine times before facing tough opposition in Carl Froch and Jean Pascal. His reign made him one of the most feared champions of his time.

The ballot also features several returning nominees, each of whom left their mark on boxing history. Some notable names are:

Arthur Abraham: A two-division world champion known for his durability and powerful punches.

Nigel Benn: One of the most exciting British fighters of the 1990s, known for his wars with Chris Eubank and Gerald McClellan.

Chris Eubank: A charismatic and highly skilled former two-division world champion with an unforgettable rivalry with Nigel Benn.

Antonio Tarver: Famous for his knockout of Roy Jones Jr., Tarver was a dominant light heavyweight.

Jorge Arce: A Mexican brawler who captured titles in multiple weight classes and became a fan favorite.

The ballots for the 2025 nominees were distributed on October 1st, with results expected to be announced in early December. Induction into the Hall of Fame is determined by a vote of boxing historians, writers, and other experts. Only the most distinguished and accomplished fighters will join the ranks of legends in the IBHOF.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is one of the most celebrated events in boxing. The Class of 2025 will be honored during the weekend of June 5-8, 2025, in Canastota, New York, famously known as “Boxing’s Hometown.” Fans from around the world will gather to celebrate the achievements of the newest inductees in what promises to be a star-studded weekend.

The Class of 2024 featured several standout fighters, including former lineal heavyweight champion Michael Moorer, two-division champion Ricky Hatton, former two-division champion Ivan Calderon, and the late Diego “Chico” Corrales, a former two-division champion known for his thrilling fight with José Luis Castillo.