| |
|
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:
Mexican legend Jackie Nava inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 15 Jun 2026Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena , Sun, 14 Jun 2026THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami , Sun, 14 Jun 2026Laurente remains undefeated, TKOs Aguan in Gensan By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026Foundation stone laid for the first-ever IBA arena in Dushanbe , Sun, 14 Jun 2026Jerick Faeldonia Wins One Chess Movement Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026Bam Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas & Martinez vs Cardenas Preview and Picks By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026Popper vs. Seldon Jr. Official Weights for June 13 in Atlantic City , Sat, 13 Jun 2026GLENDALE, AZ FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR BAM VS VARGAS – LIVE ON DAZN , Sat, 13 Jun 2026Undefeated Middleweight Amir Anderson Meets Jonas Sylvain in Battle of Unbeatens on DAZN , Sat, 13 Jun 2026Munsayac, Celones get FMA award By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026Weigh-In Results for Sanman 101: Laurente Eyes Home Victory , Fri, 12 Jun 2026Arleah Cassandra Sapuan of Valencia, Negros finishes ninth in Las Vegas chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 12 Jun 2026EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF BAM VS. VARGAS IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA , Fri, 12 Jun 2026IBA President warns Olympic movement will fade unless IOC rewards athletes and reforms now , Fri, 12 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106 By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’ , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Pedro Veitia Eager to Separate Himself in Battle of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospects June 13 in Orlando , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Raga, Esquillo, Ortega, Navarrete, Santos, Ripay to compete in Japan 10-Ball Open By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|