Manny Pacquiao Wins 2008 Yahoo Sports Fighter of the Year Award

Filipino popular boxer Manny Pacquiao has been declared winner of the 2008 Yahoo Sports Fighter Award. This was announced last December 25th by Kevin lole of Yahoo Sports

In his column, Kevin described the events and reasons why Manny Pacquiao should be declared winner of the 2008 Yahoo Sports Fighter of the Year Award:

'What he did in 2008: Won a split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15 to win WBC super featherweight title. TKO 9 David Diaz to win WBC lightweight title on June 28 after giving up the super featherweight crown, TKO 8 Oscar de la Hoya on December 6 in a non-title welterweight bout.

Why he's the 2008 Yahoo Sports Fighter of the Year: He was 3-0 with wins against quality opponents. He fought in three weight classes. He established himself clearly as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He took on the most significant challengers and came out on top.

Manny Pacquiao was recently awarded by World Boxing Council (WBC) as "World Boxer of the Year" WBC President Jose Sulaiman said:' it was unanimously decided by the board of governors to honor Pacquiao for his remarkable achievement this year alone"

In a related development, Manny Pacquiao left for the US before Christmas Eve to be with his wife who is nine months pregnant and is scheduled to give birth this month or early January.

Before his departure from the Philippines, he hosted a party to celebrate his 30th birthday and his winning over Oscar de la Hoya in their "Dream Match" held last December 6, 2008 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Some of his invited guests who attended the party were Top Rank's Bob Arum, Trainer Freddie Roach, boxers David Diaz and Edwin Valero. The President of the Philippines was his special guest of honor.

In a departure message, Manny Pacquiao said he will spend a short quality time with his family in the US before he starts training again for his next fight passively with Ricky Hatton of England.