Uncover the Legends of Boxing's Hall of Fame

Manny Pacquiao: A Boxing Icon

Manny Pacquiao's impact on the sport is undeniable. His last fight in August 2021 was a lopsided decision loss to Yordenis Ugas, yet his legacy remains strong. Pacquiao was transformative, putting the Philippines on the boxing map and drawing countless sold-out crowds in Las Vegas. He won titles in a record eight weight classes, starting at 108 pounds and ending at 154 pounds. His 2015 clash with Floyd Mayweather was one of the top revenue-generating fights of all time, taking place about five years too late. Pacquiao's indelible fighting spirit and never-surrender attitude were on full display in his epic tetralogy with Juan Manuel Marquez and trilogy with Erik "Terrible" Morales. He was one of the two biggest stars in boxing during a nearly 20-year period and enjoyed a lengthy run as one of the two best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.

His achievements speak for themselves. Pacquiao's popularity and success have made him a household name in the boxing world. His ability to compete at different weight classes and defeat some of the greatest fighters of all time is a testament to his skill and determination. He truly is a boxing legend.

Antonio Tarver: A Controversial but Deserving Candidate

Antonio Tarver has been on the ballot since 2019 and is a controversial yet deserving candidate. His victory over the great Roy Jones Jr. in 2004 was a crushing second-round TKO that was hard to believe. Jones, who appeared invincible at the time and had never been knocked down, struggled to get to his feet after a perfect counter left cross from Tarver. Tarver's victory came after a controversial decision in the previous fight, where Jones first looked human. Tarver went on to drop the championship to Glen Johnson via split decision but avenged the defeat in the rematch. He defeated Jones again in the third fight via a lopsided decision before being routed by Bernard Hopkins over 12 rounds.

Tarver won an Olympic bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games and turned pro at 27. He defeated a slew of top 175-pounders to land the Jones fight, including Eric Harding (who avenged defeat in the rematch), Reggie Johnson, and Montell Griffin. Despite some setbacks in his career, such as testing positive for banned substances and a series of losses, Tarver believes his accomplishments speak for themselves. He is a four-time world champion who earned his place through hard work and determination.

The Other Candidates

This year, three boxers appeared on the ballot for the first time: Shawn Porter, Mikey Garcia, and Lucian Bute. Shawn Porter had an impressive career with several welterweight title defenses but never scored a signature victory. His fight with Errol Spence Jr. in 2019 was thrilling but fell short of a defining moment. Porter retired in 2021 following a TKO loss to Terence Crawford.

Mikey Garcia won titles in four divisions but also lacked a signature victory. His most high-profile fight was a shutout by Spence in 2019, and he retired in 2021 after a shocking defeat to Sandor Martin.

Lucian Bute, a Romanian fighter from Quebec, was a major attraction in Canada but lacked a signature win. He ended his career in 2017 with three consecutive losses but is now on the ballot for the first time.