| |
|
WBC NAMES PACQUIAO ?WORLD BOXER OF THE YEAR?
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 17 Dec 2008
The World Boxing Council which is regarded as the premier professional world boxing organization has named Filipino national treasure and ring idol Manny Pacquiao as the ?World Boxer of the Year.?
In an exclusive overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports from his home in Mexico City, Sulaiman made the announcement which he said was ?a gift that we give to Manny of whom we are very proud of as a WBC champion.? He said it was "unanimously decided" by the WBC board of governors to honor Pacquiao for his remarkable achievements this year alone.
With the accolade which was richly deserved following Pacquiao?s smashing 8th round victory over WBC lightweight champion David Diaz and his clinical demolition of Oscar De La Hoya in a 147 pound fight, Sulaiman paid tribute to the greatest Filipino and Asian champion of all-time on his 30th birthday.
Sulaiman said he was very proud when, after beating De La Hoya, he saw the WBC belt being raised which was seen on television ?all over the world? and a pay-per-view telecast that passed the 1.4 million mark according to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who, together with trainer Freddie Roach and Diaz are in General Santos City for Pacquiao?s birthday bash.
When asked about the possibility of Pacquiao remaining at 140 pounds and relinquishing his 135 pound title since he plans fighting Ricky ?The Hitman? Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas and Floyd Mayweather Jr sometime after September should Mayweather decide to come out of retirement , Sulaiman ?we do not know because we were told he might have a fight in the Philippines before fighting anybody else.?
Sulaiman said this was told to him recently and that he had s aid the WBC would support the plan if that?s what Pacquiao wanted.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Manny motors to Vegas
By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025Bakbakan sa Elorde on July 19
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
, Sat, 12 Jul 2025JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
, Thu, 10 Jul 20254 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
, Thu, 10 Jul 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
, Thu, 10 Jul 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
