2008 Boxer of the Year: Manny Pacquiao
manny pacquiao named sports illustrated 2008 boxer of the yearThe pride of the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao continues to pour in the accolades for himself and his country. Manny Pacquiao has been named WBC 2008 Boxer of the Year after he won the WBC super featherweight world title by decision against defending champion Juan Manuel Marquez in March. Manny Pacquiao then won the WBC lightweight world title by TKO against defending champion David Diaz three months later in June. Manny Pacquiao then finished the year with a sensational TKO win against Oscar De La Hoya in the welterweight division in December. After a series of negotiation, his next big fight will be against Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton.

Manny Pacquiao was also named Sports Illustrated Boxer of the Year after going 3-0 in 2008. "In boxing, greatness is measured in moments. And in 2008, Manny Pacquiao had a whole lot of them," SI.com writer Chris Mannix wrote in his assessment of the acknowledged pound-for-pound king. Manny Pacquiao has also been named 2008 Boxer of the Year for a long host of magazines and boxing websites. Manny Pacquiao is certainly our 2008 Boxer of the Year after his flurry of three perfect victories and along the way became the first boxer in 70 years to win three bouts in three different weight categories in one year. Manny Pacquiao accomplished so much in 2008 and did it with such grace and style that truly fit the title of a champion. Watch out, I think we are about to have an even more electrifying year in 2009.  Manny contributes much of his success to his coach Freddie Roach.

Manny Pacquiao has given the boxing world an exhilarating year and proved that boxing is not dead as long as we have great boxers like Manny Pacquiao to carry the torch. Nobody could have ever imagined the impact this man had mad. Nobody would have ever imaged Manny Pacquiao in politics.  Manny Pacquiao not only carried the torch of boxing greats but transcended the sport across a whole nation and a whole continent. Manny Pacquiao has provided hope to all those that aspires to be great in life despite the misfortunate bestowed upon us since childhood. Manny Pacquiao has provided courage to those who believe that David can slay Goliath with speed and a bigger heart. Finally, Manny Pacquiao has provided the sport of boxing a hero to cheer for, an entertaining fight to anticipate for, and a shining glimmer of newfound interest in the great sport of boxing. For all that Manny Pacquiao has provided for us fans, we are proud to say that Manny Pacquiao is indeed the 2008 Boxer of the Year.