As I continue my whirl wind tour through the best of boxing for 2009, the time has come for me to anoint Fighter of the Year.
Is there any question as to who deserves this honor?
Is there anyone who stepped into a ring during 2009 that even comes in as a close second?
No.
Fighter of the Year for 2009 goes to Manny Pacquiao. If anyone has a different answer to the question of who was the best boxer last year, they should have their card pulled as a member of the boxing collective.
Pacquiao had two fights in 2009 against highly regarded opponents Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. What the Filipino super star was dominate both men, knock them out, and walk away as the pound for pound best in the sport.
It is a shame that speculation of Pacquiao’s surge being fueled by performance enhancing drugs has muddied the incredible achievements he accomplished in ’09. Let the record state: there is no proof that Pacquiao has ever used any drugs or supplements that are banned by Nevada States Athletic Commission, or any other commission under whose jurisdiction Pacquiao has competed.
[It can be speculated that Pacquiao’s career is fueled by the struggles he faced as a youth.]
Unfortunately the loud mouths of figures such as Floyd Mayweather Senior and Paulie Malignaggi have questioned Pacquiao’s feats and the conditions under which he accomplished them.
The cynics and critics cannot take one thing from what Pacquiao did in 2009, turn in two performances fans will remember for a long time to come and earn Fighter of the Year.
