Manny Pacquaio's Boxing Hall of Fame Speech

Boxer Manny Pacquaio was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame today in Canestota, NY. He joins Pancho Villa, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde and Caferino Montano Garcia as the only Filipinos to be inducted inducted. Other inductees include Muhammad Ali (1990), Joe Louis (1990), Rocky Marciano (1990), Sugar Ray Robinson (1990), Sonny Liston (1991), George Foreman (2003), Mike Tyson (2011) and Oscar De La Hoya (2014).

Below is a transcript of Pacquaio's Hall of Fame speech:

"Finally, finally, we’re in the final round. First, I’d like to thank God for this opportunity—to be here today in good health. Praise be to God.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you to all the inductees and everyone here. I came from nothing—a small boy from the streets of General Santos City. No shoes, no food, no hope—just a dream in my heart. I know hunger. I know pain. I know what it means to be counted out. But I also know what God can do when you keep faith and never give up.

Boxing gave me a way out. It turned my struggles into strength, my failures into lessons, and my pain into purpose. From flyweight to junior middleweight—every fight, every victory was a step away from poverty. It was never just for me—it was for my family, for the Filipino people, for the fans, and for the glory of God.

I never chased greatness—I just worked hard to be better than the man I was yesterday. I never took easy fights. I moved up weight after weight—not to protect a record, but to test my limits.

And now, when I reflect: eight‑division world champion. Titles in four different decades. Oldest welterweight world champion in history. These aren’t opinions—they’re facts . But greatness isn’t what you call yourself—it’s how you live your life and how you inspire others. So call me a fighter. Call me a warrior. Call me proudly Filipino. Call me a servant of God.

Some ask: Who is the greatest of all time? That’s not for me to decide. That belongs to the fans. That belongs to history.

Thank you to all the promoters who backed me from the start of my career to now. I especially want to thank two men who shaped my journey: Bob Arum, thank you for helping make some of my biggest fights happen and giving a kid from the Philippines a chance to show his talents to the world; and Freddie Roach, thank you for guiding me, particularly in the important phases of my career .

I dedicate this moment to every underdog, every dreamer, every person who keeps fighting when the odds are against them.

To my wife Jinkee, and our children Jimuel, Michael, Princess, Queenie, and Israel—you are my heart. You are why I fight beyond the ring.

To the Filipino people and fans around the world: thank you for your love, your prayers, your support through every triumph and defeat.

To the media and press—your coverage helped bring ours into the spotlight. To my coaches—especially Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez—plus Justin Fortune, Tim Lane, and any others: thank you. You encouraged and inspired me every step of the way.

To every young boy or girl with a dream—don’t let your situation define your future. With God, nothing is impossible. As Joshua 1:9 says: 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.'

That’s exactly what happened to me—from the slums of General Santos to the bright lights of Las Vegas to the Hall of Fame.

I’m grateful—and all honor, glory, and praise belongs to God—not to me, Manny Pacquiao, not to anybody, but to Him who created everything.

Thank you—Jinkee and the Filipino people. This is our victory. This is our story. And the best is yet to come.

Thank you, and God bless you all. Thank you for everything."