As the announcement of the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s 2025 class approaches, voting for the Men’s Modern Boxers category, which includes fighters whose last bout was no earlier than 1989, proved to be an easy decision this year. With 42 options on the ballot, one name stood out above all: Manny Pacquiao, a fighter whose first year of eligibility makes him a near certainty for induction.
Pacquiao, whose last professional fight was a loss to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. His impact on the sport is undeniable—Pacquiao’s popularity brought boxing to new audiences, and his incredible journey from winning his first title at 108 pounds to claiming a world championship at 154 pounds speaks to his unmatched versatility. *His victory over a range of Hall of Fame-caliber fighters, including his epic battles with Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales, solidified his place as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters for nearly two decades. His 2015 megafight with Floyd Mayweather, though occurring later than desired, still stands as one of the highest-grossing boxing events in history. For me, selecting Pacquiao was an obvious choice, and it would have been a disservice not to vote for him unanimously.
Beyond Pacquiao, however, my vote became more difficult. I ultimately chose to cast a vote for just one other fighter: Antonio Tarver, a longtime light heavyweight champion who has been on the Hall of Fame ballot since 2019. Tarver, while not an automatic pick, certainly boasts a distinguished career and impressive victories that put him on par with many of the boxers already enshrined.
His most memorable victory came in 2004 when he scored a stunning second-round TKO over the previously undefeated Roy Jones Jr. to claim the lineal light heavyweight title. Although Tarver had dropped a controversial decision to Jones in their first meeting, his second victory was a dramatic turnaround, marking one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Tarver later avenged a loss to Glen Johnson and defeated Jones again in their third meeting, establishing himself as a top fighter in the division.
Despite his achievements, drug tests that Tarver failed sometimes overshadow his career. In his later years, Tarver faced suspensions after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, a stain on his otherwise solid resume. While some voters may hold this against him, it’s worth noting that the Hall has still inducted many fighters with similar controversies. For me, Tarver’s accomplishments, including his Olympic bronze medal and victories over elite opponents, outweigh the blemishes on his record.
I chose not to vote for any of the three first-time candidates on this year’s ballot: Shawn Porter, Mikey Garcia, and Lucian Bute. While all three had solid careers and earned titles in multiple divisions, none managed to secure a signature victory that would elevate them to Hall of Fame status in my view. Porter had several strong performances, including a thrilling fight against Errol Spence Jr., but lacked a defining win. Garcia, while a four-division world champion, never had a standout victory, with his most significant loss coming in a shutout by Spence. Bute, once a major draw in Canada, ended his career with a string of losses and lacked the signature victory needed to make a lasting impact.
While many factors contribute to selecting a Hall of Fame boxer, I focused on those whose careers featured sustained excellence, significant wins, and a lasting impact on the sport. For me, Pacquiao and Tarver fit those criteria, and I believe they belong among boxing’s greatest legends.
As the official announcement of the 2025 class draws near, I’m confident that these selections, particularly Pacquiao’s near-certain induction, will serve as a fitting tribute to the sport’s enduring stars.
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