BEST Fighter of All Time
By Robbie Pangilinan
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 02 Jun 2010
Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao receives on June 4 his Fighter of the Decade award from the Boxing Writers Association of America in New York City, but for his millions of fans all over the world, he is not only the fighter of the decade, but a fighter of all time.
The People?s Champ is the first Fighter of the Decade awardee, as BWAA used to only give the Fighter of the Year award which Pacquiao also received, first in 2006 when he beat Erik Morales and then in 2008 when he won over Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz and Oscar dela Hoya. Pacquiao is now in line with the boxing world?s greatest fighters who won the award three times. The other four are Muhammad Ali, Jose Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard and Evander Holyfield.
The Pambansang Kamao was ready to face the undefeated Mayweather early this year in Dallas in an unofficial bout to decide who truly is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, a title held by Mayweather for a long time having secured 40 wins and 25 knockouts. But, after Pacquiao beat Joshua Clottey, he became the only boxer to win seven world titles in seven different weight classes, earning him the pound-for-pound king title.
There are talks and clamor about pushing through with the Pacquiao-Mayweather and the Filipino boxing icon said there is right now a 50/50 chance that it might happen. The two camps failed to come to an agreement about blood testing protocols, putting a stop to the fight preparations. Manny is ok with having the blood test, but, ?...?wag lang before the fight, kasi lugi naman ako, dahil mas malaki siya sa ?kin,? Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao is not just into boxing. He said he also likes to play basketball, volleyball and badminton. For the NBA Finals, he is rooting for the Boston Celtics.
Pacquiao flew to the USA despite having just gone out of the hospital because of ulcer. He is there not only to get his award but also to take a short break with his family?wife Jinkee, their children, sister-in-law and Jinkee?s twin Janette, and adviser Mike Koncz. Koncz revealed that the family will spend a couple of days on board a 120-foot yacht off the waters of Mexico care of Mexico?s Fernando Beltran.
But the champ will be back in Manila before his course on governance in the University of the Philippines starts on June 14. Pacquiao is even thinking of taking up Law so he can serve his people better. The 31-year-old boxer won a congressional seat in the province of Sarangani in the May elections and has promised his constituents that he will focus on the people?s health and education. The soft-hearted Pacquiao, coming from poverty, is all ready to help people and cooperate with the new president-elect Noynoy Aquino, even as he endorsed another presidential candidate.
?Handa akong tumulong at sumuporta kay Noynoy. Layunin ko magkaisa ang mga Pilipino,? said the first boxer to have been elected to the House of Representatives.
Since he is already in the USA, Pacquiao might also watch the Miguel Cotto-Yuri Foreman light-middleweight fight on June 5 at the Yankee Stadium. Koncz disclosed that Cotto might face Pacquiao again if he wins this fight.
The BWAA will also give Manny?s trainer Freddie Roach his fourth Trainer of the Year award. #
Top photo: Congressman-elect and top pound-for-pound boxer Manny Pacquiao during Monday's Alaxan press conference at Filmex in Makati, Philippines.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Robbie Pangilinan.
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