Pacquiao pals earn HOF nominations

Four eminent boxing figures with close ties to Manny Pacquiao have been nominated for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame 2024 batch.

Carlos Padilla, the third man on the ring during the epic Thrilla in Manila in 1975, publicist Fred Sternburg, Argentinian trainer Miguel Diaz and Uruguayan manager Sampson Lewkowicz, have made it to the list of nominees.

Padilla refereed Pacquiao's crucial match with Australian Nedal Hussein in 2000 in Antipolo.

Sternburg, who served as Pacquiao's publicist for more than 15 years, was also nominated as well.

Diaz, 85, worked as Pacquiao's cutman in many of the Filipino legend's biggest victories.

Lewkowicz played a pivotal role during Pacquiao's early years in the United States alongside Murad Muhammad.

The deadline for nomination ends on 31 October and the three who gets the most number of votes will travel to Canastota in New York for the induction proper in June 2024.

Padilla, 89, now residing in Las Vegas.

Sternburg, who is a Denver resident, continues to work as a publicist and his list of clients include Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist and Hangzhou Asian Games silver medalist Eumir Marcial.

Padilla and Sternburg's nominations fall under the Non-Participants bracket.

Also nominated were four other referees and judges, Cameron Dunkin (Nonito Donaire's former manager), ring announcer Ed Derian and trainer Kenny Adams.

Pacquiao retired from boxing in late-2021.