We hate to brag, but we have to—boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is Filipino, and we are proud of it.

And undeniably, the world knows about this.

Even before stopping the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya at round eight last December 6 during their welterweight Dream Match, Pacquiao has already been in the limelight, both in the Philippines and internationally.

But what better way to end the year for Pacquiao than by being hailed by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the websites of CNN and Sports Illustrated as fighter of the year, citing the champion’s title conquests in both the super featherweight and lightweight divisions.

SI.com columnist Chris Mannix wrote about Pacquiao’s achievements, “In boxing, greatness is measured in moments. And in 2008, Manny Pacquiao had a whole lot of them.”

He also said that although there were other qualified candidates like Paul Williams and Antonio Margarito, these fighters pale in comparison to Pacquiao, whom he said, had arguably the greatest year of anyone in sports.

Of course, Mannix also mentioned how Pacquiao had accomplished so much—with style and grace that befits a true champion, and went on mentioning the champ’s giving nature— “the best ambassador boxing could ever hope for in 2008, as dangerous in the ring as he is benevolent out of it.”

We never doubted Pacquiao’s ability to rule the ring—he is, for us, along with the millions of Filipinos who watched him rose from the boxing ranks, is a true champion.

As for Mannix, he believes that Pacquiao wholly deserves this honor. “We could be handing Pacquiao the same award next year,” he wrote and added, “And if we do, like this year, I have no doubt that it will be well deserved”

And we truly agree. (AJPress)
( www.asianjournal.com )
( Published on December 27, 2008 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A12 )