Pacquiao formalizes Hall of Fame inclusion

Eight-division legend Manny Pacquiao is arriving at his induction at the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in Canastota, New York in style.

The Filipino southpaw, who is attempting to become one of the oldest world champions next month at 46 years old, will be joined on the trip East Coast on a private jet by Sean Gibbons.

Their plane leaves Los Angeles at 7 a.m. of Saturday (late Saturday in Manila) and they should be in Syracuse around lunch time and go on a short 25-mile drive to Canastota, where the headquarters of the IBHOF is located.

The IBHOF’s Banquet of Champions, featuring fight highlights and speeches by key people, will be held at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Events Center.

The next day, the traditional Parade of Champions takes place at noon and the induction follows at 2:30 p.m.

With the West Coast three hours behind, Pacquiao and his men are expected to head back to Los Angeles in time for the resumption of training day for his 19 July title showdown with Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Barrios, younger by 16 years at 30, will be risking his World Boxing Council welterweight crown.

Knowing that he would be skipping a beat during the induction festivities, Pacquiao stepped on the gas on the eve of his departure for New York.

Energized by the presence of three Filipino fighters who will see action in the undercard, Pacquiao smashed the mitts and whacked the heavy bag at the Wild Card Boxing Club after a punishing round of conditioning training in the morning at strength coach Justin Fortune’s gym.

Barrios, hailing from San Antonio, Texas, is the massive betting favorite according to oddsmakers.

Next month’s duel with Barrios will be Pacquiao’s first professional bout in almost four years.