
Manny Pacquiao enshrined in boxing's Hall of Fame just as he resumes his record-setting career
Associated Press
Manny Pacquiao's fighting days aren't finished yet, as he's coming out of retirement at 46 for a shot at another title next month.
No matter what happens in the remaining stage, it's hard to find many better resumes than the one he already assembled in a career that landed him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday.
'And now, when I look back,' Pacquiao said, 'eight-division world champion, world titles in four different decades, oldest welterweight world champion in history, those are not just opinions. They are facts.'
Pacquiao was the headline name in the class of 2025 that was enshrined during a ceremony at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. He won't be able to celebrate too long, as then it's back to training for his July 19 bout in Las Vegas against WBC champ Mario Barrios.
Pacquiao didn't mention that during his speech at the end of a lengthy induction ceremony. Instead he focused on the record-setting accomplishment of winning titles in eight weight classes, a fighter who made his pro debut in the 106-pound class and rose all the way to win a title at the 154-pound limit.
'From flyweight to junior middleweight, eight divisions,' Pacquiao said. 'Every fight, every victory was a step further from poverty. It was not just for me but for my family, for the Filipino people.'
Vinny Paz, the three-division champion formerly known as Vinny Pazienza who overcame a broken neck sustained in a car crash to resume his career, and Michael Nunn, a champion at middleweight and super middleweight, were the other top men fighters in the class.
Women in the class included Yessica Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis, Mary Jo Sanders and Cathy 'Cat' Davis, who after filing a sex discrimination suit against New York State Athletic Commission became one of the first women to be granted a pro boxing license by the organization in 1978.
Pointing to the jewelry the inductees received, Davis said: "I've got this beautiful ring here and I asked them to make it big enough for my middle finger, because if I ever see those old white stupid men who kept us out, you know what I'm going to do."
Kenny Bayless, who worked some of Pacquiao's biggest fights including his loss to Floyd Mayweather and knockout of Ricky Hatton, and fellow referee Harry Gibbs were enshrined, along with cut man Al Gavin. Broadcaster Randy Gordon, HBO producer Ross Greenburg and late boxers Rodrigo Valdez and Owen Swift rounded out the class.
Pacquiao retired in 2021 with a record of 62-8-2 with 39 KOs, fighting in some of the biggest blockbusters of the 2000s. He said he always sought the toughest opponents so he could continuing testing himself.
That made him far richer than he could have imagined when he was raised in poverty in the Philippines. He went on to serve his country as a senator from 2016-22 and ran unsuccessfully for president, and his voice broke a bit as he thanked his fans from home along with his family.
'This is our victory,' Pacquiao said. 'This is our story and the best is yet to come.'
___
AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Tuchel runs into early problems with England as critics circle
Associated Press Hired amid skepticism because of his nationality, German coach Thomas Tuchel was brought in as England manager to get the national team from soccer's birthplace 'over the line' at a World Cup for the first time since 1966. One year out from the 2026 tournament in North America and Tuchel has already run into problems — and is feeling the wrath of England's fans, too. The 3-1 loss to Senegal at home in a friendly match on Tuesday brought a crashing end to Tuchel's honeymoon period that was already tottering after England could only eke out a feeble 1-0 win over 173rd-ranked Andorra four days earlier. Boos rang out as Tuchel and England's players left the field at the City Ground in Nottingham after losing to an African nation for the first time. Tuchel has coached some of the world's biggest clubs in Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea and was regarded, tactically, as a big step-up from predecessor Gareth Southgate. For many, Southgate lacked that magic touch to turn England into title-winners despite its deep runs at the past four major tournaments. These are early days — Tuchel only started the job in January — but England might even have regressed in its latest era under a foreign coach. Here's a look at the teething problems being encountered in Tuchel's tenure: Tactics While Southgate no doubt generated a great culture and atmosphere in the squad off the field, he was accused of being too pragmatic and lacking flexibility in his tactics on it. Tuchel was expected to be a huge upgrade in that respect but England doesn't yet have an identity under the German. England captain Harry Kane listed the ingredients his team were missing against Senegal — and there were plenty. 'With and without the ball, we aren't quite clicking,' said Kane, who opened the scoring. "We aren't finding the right passes, the right tempo. In the one-vs.-ones, we're losing duels and that aggressive nature we've had. 'There are some ideas that are new and we have some new players coming into the team who haven't got experience at international level. It's a mixture of things.' Tuchel only has four more camps to get his ideas across ahead of the World Cup, should England qualify of course. The team won its opening three World Cup qualifiers — against Albania, Latvia and Andorra — and tops Group K with five matches to play from September to November. Selection Some of Tuchel's early-tenure selections have raised eyebrows. He has brought former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, age 34 and most recently playing at Ajax, back into the squad because of his leadership qualities and to 'take care of all the standards in the group,' Tuchel said. But is Henderson good enough to still be in the team? He has persisted with right back Kyle Walker, who is aged 35, seemingly passed his best and most recently sent on loan to AC Milan where he has struggled to impress. Tuchel has the likes of Reece James and new Real Madrid player Trent Alexander-Arnold as alternatives but is preferring Walker, again talking about how the veteran is 'pushing the standards' in the camp. Some of his picks at center back — newcomers Trevoh Chalobah and Dan Burn among them — have also been scrutinized. Bluntness While Southgate always shielded his players from criticism, Tuchel is more open and blunt with any negative analysis. Indeed, after the Andorra game where England toiled, Tuchel accused his players of lacking 'the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier' and said he didn't like their attitude and body language. To many, it was fair comment but something England's players maybe hadn't been used to hearing from their coach. Will they take it the wrong way — and prefer Southgate's arm-round-the-shoulder approach? In mitigation In defense of Tuchel, England's players were coming off long club seasons and might have switched off mentally before linking up with England for the Andorra and Senegal games. Tuchel also made 10 changes against Senegal and was clearly testing out some new players and tactical approaches. 'There is no need to panic,' he said 'We know more now. We are smarter ... I hate losses like nothing else but we don't go next week to the World Cup, we go in one year.' However, more bad results or performances in September, when England plays Andorra at home and Serbia away, and the nation's fans — and some sections of the media, no doubt — will get on Tuchel's back and likely use his passport against him. The pressure is already building. ___ AP soccer: recommended


Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
South Africa wins toss and bowling first against Australia in WTC final
Associated Press LONDON (AP) — South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first against defending champion Australia at Lord's in the World Test Championship final on Wednesday. Cloud cover decided the call. 'Massive (occasion)," South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said. 'You can hear the South African accents as well in the stands. Should be a spectacle." Unlike South Africa, Australia didn't have a warmup game, but captain Pat Cummins said they were ready. 'Preparation has been unreal. All the guys in the team are ready to go,' Cummins said. 'We have had about 10 days of preparation. I don't think there's any extra pressure. We've been here before and won it. So it's just about going out and enjoying it.' The teams were named on Tuesday. Australia has gone with a new top order by pushing up Marnus Labuschagne to open in a test for the first time, and placing Cameron Green at No. 3 for his first test in 15 months. Josh Hazlewood has displaced Scott Boland in the pace attack. South Africa brought back Lungi Ngidi as the third seamer in the only change to the team from its last test in January in Cape Town, a four-day win over Pakistan. ___ Lineups: South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. ___ AP cricket: recommended in this topic


Fox Sports
4 hours ago
- Fox Sports
What to know about the 2026 World Cup one year out
Associated Press The World Cup kicks off one year from now and will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 23rd edition of soccer's most prestigious tournament, which has been running since 1930, will be the biggest yet with 48 teams taking part. Here's what to know about the 2026 FIFA World Cup. When is the 2026 World Cup The tournament will be played through June and July. It kicks off at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, with the final held July 19 at MetLife Stadium, which will be referred to as the New York New Jersey Stadium during FIFA's tournament. How to get tickets for the 2026 World Cup Fans can register their interest in tickets through FIFA. Who will play in the 2026 World Cup So far, more than a dozen countries have booked their place in the 48-team tournament, including co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as defending champion Argentina. Japan, Iran, Jordan, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Ecuador are also through. Sixteen teams will qualify from Europe — more than any other region. Africa will have nine teams and Asia eight, with both also getting a place in the playoffs. South America will have six teams qualifying directly and a playoff place. North and Central America and the Caribbean will also have six direct qualifiers and two playoff places. Oceania will only have one direct qualifier and a playoff place. Which cities will be hosting the 2026 World Cup The United States will host games in Arlington, Texas; Atlanta; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Houston; Inglewood, California; Kansas City, Missouri; Miami Gardens, Florida; Philadelphia, Seattle; and San Jose, California. Two Canadian cities will have World Cup games: Toronto and Vancouver, British Columbia. In Mexico, games will be played in Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City. What is the format of the 2026 World Cup The tournament will follow the same format as in recent years, just with a bigger field. There will be 12 groups of four teams. The teams in each group play each other and the top two will advance to a knockout stage. The eight best third-place teams will also advance. The knockouts will be played from the round of 32 to the final. Who won the last World Cup? The previous World Cup was held in 2022 at Qatar, where Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout in the final. Which country has won the most World Cup titles? Brazil holds that record, having won the tournament five times: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Germany and Italy have each won four titles. Argentina has three. ___ AP soccer: recommended