Manny Pacquiao was named Boxer of the Month for July 2008 by the World Boxing Council.
WBC President Jose Sulaiman picked the 29-year-old Pacquiao as the top honoree following his ninth-round knock out of David Diaz of the US last June 28 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas where he won Diaz?s world lightweight title..
The WBC 135-lb crown is Pacquiao?s fourth world boxing crown and his third WBC title after also winning the fly (112 lbs) and super-feather (130 lbs) classes. Pacquiao also reigned as super-bantam titleholder in the International Boxing Federation from June 2001 until January 2004.
Pacquiao?s knockout of Diaz, who fell face-first after absorbing a left cross to the jaw, might eventually go down as one of 2008?s most important fight.
Top Rank president Bob Arum plans to pit Pacquiao against undefeated knockout artist Edwin Valero of Venezuela in November in Las Vegas in a pairing of two heavy-hitters.
Reports from Las Vegas say that Arum now wants Pacquiao-Valero to take place on Nov. 15 instead of Nov. 8.
Arum is considering the 7,500-seat Theater for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood as venue.
But the Valero fight would depend on whether the Nevada State Athletic Commission will grant the South American a license to fight since he is not allowed to box in the US except in the state of Texas owing to a medical condition.
