2012 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and seven-time Boxing Writers Association of America “Trainer of the Year” Freddie Roach’s reaction to Manny Pacquiao’s election as part of the IBHOF’s class of 2025. During their 20-year tenure together, Manny won world titles in seven of a record eight weight divisions, was the BWAA’s first Fighter of the Decade (2000 – 2009), and a three-time BWAA “Fighter of the Year.”
“I opened my gym, Wild Card Boxing Club, in hopes that the next Muhammad Ali would walk through the door. Little did I know that in 2001, my Muhammad Ali would weigh 122 pounds. His name was Manny Pacquiao, and he was and still is the pride of the Philippines. For twenty years, after Manny and I first did mitts in the ring at Wild Card, we trained together for some of the biggest fights. As his collection of world championship belts grew, so did his presence in boxing and the world. Today’s announcement that Manny will be a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s class of 2025 makes me incredibly proud. As much as I loved working together with Manny all those years, I’m even happier sharing the same wall with him at the International Boxing Hall of Fame.”
