| |
|
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:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
, Tue, 31 Mar 202613-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
, Tue, 31 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 202660 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
, Mon, 30 Mar 2026Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
, Sun, 29 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
, Sun, 29 Mar 2026Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
, Sat, 28 Mar 2026GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov
, Fri, 27 Mar 2026SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
