Manny Pacquiao is poised to become the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Fighter of the Year for 2008 with no less than its newly-elected president confirming the Filipino has the inside track for the coveted award.
“There is a very good chance that Manny Pacquiao will be the BWAA?s Fighter of the Year for 2008,” said Jack Hirsch, who writes for the Boxing News (England), Boxing Beat and Ring Sports.
Before being selected to succeed Bernard Fernandez of the Philadelphia Daily News, Hirsch was vice-president of the BWAA the last eight years.
Pacquiao had won the same award in 2006 in New York City, the year where he toppled Erik Morales of Mexico two times in Las Vegas and outclassed Oscar Larios, another Mexican, in Manila.
While there were a few others who stood out during 2008, including American Bernard Hopkins, Mexican Antonio Margarito and Welshman Joe Calzaghe, it was Pacquiao who shone brightest with victories over super-feather king Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, lightweight ruler David Diaz of the US and the legendary Oscar De La Hoya.
In less than a year, Pacquiao won two world titles in two different weight classes and made a startling appearance at welterweight against the Golden Boy.
The annual awards banquet will be held again in the Big Apple on April 17 and it hasn?t been determined if Pacquiao ? if he eventually gets elected ? will take time out from his training at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood to grace the prestigious event since it will be during the most critical phase of his preparation.
