Pacquiao's wife gives birth to healthy baby girl

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao’s charming wife Jinkee has given birth to a healthy baby girl at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Hospital.

We were watching the fabulous “Legends” concert at the packed PICC when we received text messages from Pacquiao’s lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal giving us what amounted to a cryptic blow-by-blow account of the goings on from the time Jinkee accompanied by her famous husband entered the delivery room.

Gacal’s account was reinforced by text messages from business manager Eric Pineda.

Gacal reported the Pacquiao daughter, their second after two sons, was born at 6:37 a.m. LA Time or 10:37 p.m. Manila Time and weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces. Gacal said Pacquiao, the proud father, was inside the delivery room when the baby was born.

Pacquiao was reported to have cut the umbilical cord of the baby who according to Gacal is to be named Queen Elizabeth.

Jinkee was driven to hospital at around 7:00 p.m. in Pacquiao’s Lincoln Navigator. Aside from Manny also present were her twin sister Janet and their mother Rosalina.

ABS-CBN News reported that hours before entering the hospital the Pacquiao couple walked around a Los Angeles Mall as a form of exercise for the expectant mother.

When word got around at the “Legends” concert that Jinkee had given birth fans of the boxing icon expressed their congratulations and best wishes. In fact a short video of Pacquiao was screened during the introduction to the concert in reference to Filipino legends.

There were those who observed that after the birth of their first daughter Mary Divine Grace, Pacquiao became a changed man and had given up his sometimes wayward ways all for the better. They said that with the birth of a second daughter they were certain Pacquiao would continue to be a good and caring husband and father and receive many more blessings from God.

TSS Boxer Of The Year: Manny Pacquiao

It wasn’t supposed to go down this way. The little guy who started out as a 106 pounder was supposed to be outweighed by about 15 pounds come fight night. The script, of the Little Guy Fights Hard, Comes Up Short, Is Admired For His Massive Pluck-genre, called for Manny Pacquiao to fight in valiant fashion for a few rounds, and then succumb to his brawnier foe, Oscar De La Hoya. It would be a moral victory for PacMan, and of course he could be consoled by the career-best payday he’d earn for absorbing an excess of telling blows.

But most of us “experts” didn’t handicap the fight correctly, as we underestimated the size advantage Pacquiao enjoyed in the heart department.That’s no slight to De La Hoya, who has always fought gamely and sought out the stiffest challengers. But Manny Pacquiao’s impersonation of David, as he slayed boxing’s Goliath of earning power and iconic status, De La Hoya, earns him the nod as TSS Boxer of the Year for 2008.

There were some other worthy contestants for the prize. A vote for Wales’ Joe Calzaghe, who took down two future Hall of Famers, in Bernard Hopkins (April) and Roy Jones (November), would not be scoffed at. And anyone at the arena on the October night Bernard Hopkins showed 43 ain’t nothing but a number as he dismantled the favored flavor-of-the-month Kelly Pavlik had to think B-Hop wrapped up Boxer of the Year honors. What about Mexican-American Antonio Margarito, who took a piece of Miguel Cotto’s heart in July and rudely thrust loss number one at the Puerto Rican welterweight?

A March win over Juan Manuel Marquez, for the WBC super featherweight crown, was a narrow triumph, but Pacquiao clicked into higher gear when he destroyed David Diaz, the WBC lightweight champ, in June. Those triumphs served as a modest launching pad for his December performance.

One criteria for Boxer of the Year, in our eyes, is the impact that fighter’s presence in the game causes. Pacquiao’s win certainly did transcend the sport. No, not so much here in the States. My periodic quizzes of non boxing sports fans still show that the name “Manny Pacquiao” has yet to penetrate the consciousness of the non-hardcore fight fans that swarm TSS. But in his native Philippines, where the nation ground to a halt when he stepped into the ring against De La Hoya, that win was probably the athletic event of the century. And that win wasn’t just a win.

It was a lesson in perseverance, in defiance against odds and legions of naysayers. It was an affirmation of what any Pinoy man or woman gifted with a bit of talent and even more heart and guts can do.

Pacquiao’s win was a rousing reminder of why boxing matters, because more than any other sport, it mirrors the experience that is adult life. We toil, often for nothing more than the promise of better days ahead. We labor, and with the aid and encouragement of a select group of friends and family, soldier on through illness, and setbacks in the emotional realm. We take on a substantial challenge, perhaps a Sisyphean one, and find ourselves failing, once, twice…can we will ourselves to get off the canvas, and keep fighting? Ideally, we do plod forward, in the fashion of Pacquiao, even if the majority of people view our chance of succeeding as negligible. Along the way, when met with misfortune, we search for role models to emulate, or occurrences that validate our quest. Fight fans saw that role model, Manny Pacquiao, on December 6, and will always be able to draw on that special occasion when David made Goliath quit on his stool in a Las Vegas ring. And his graciousness in victory, as he took time to applaud his foe, and help lessen the sting of defeat by reminding De La Hoya of the breadth of his accomplishments, only cemented the superlative status of Pacquiao’s win.

Manny responded to being named TSS top fighter for 2008. "I always try to do my best when I go into the ring,” he said. “Oscar was always one of my favorite champions and he still is today. It was an honor to go into the ring and face him. I am very happy to be recognized as the Fighter of the Year by TheSweetScience.com."

Team TSS wishes to thank Pacquiao for his service to the sport and for acting as a superior ambassador for the sweet science. By Michael Woods

PACQUIAO DOMINATES ESPN STAR SPORTS POLLS

News

With hours to go before the results of ESPN Star Sports online poll results are announced in its “Champion of Champions” survey, Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao dominates the latest numbers released.

As of last report Pacquiao had garnered 90.75 of the votes cast while Malaysia ’s squash queen Nicol David had a mere 9.25 percent.

The results of the “Champion of Champions” survey will be announced on ESPN Sportscenter tonight.

Meantime in the ESPN All SportsNation Team where the public was asked to choose the five to athletes in the world in 2008, Pacquiao was again a runaway leader with a massive 98.1 percent of the votes tallied so far.

Beijing Olympic Games swimming sensation Michael Phelps who won a record-breaking eight gold medals was second with 1.6 percent of the votes followed by sprinter Usain Bolt with 1.3, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant 1.1 and golfing great Tiger Woods with 1.0 percent.

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com

Pacquiao, Roach win grand slam

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and his trainer, Freddie Roach, won fighter and trainer of the year awards for 2008, a grand slam befitting of the world’s most successful boxing tandem in recent years.

Pacquiao and Roach were the hands-down choices for the top honors of Yahoo Sports because of what they have achieved together in the sport of boxing.

Pacquiao, known to legions of his fans worldwide as “PacMan,” won the Fighter of the Year plum on the basis of his three wins against quality opponents in three different weight classes, and winning two world titles.

“He [Pacquiao] established himself clearly as the best pound-for-pounder fighter in the world. He took on the most significant challengers and came out on top,” said Kevin Iole, Yahoo Sports’ eminent boxing scribe.

PacMan first won a split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15 to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight title; knocked out David Diaz in the ninth round to win WBC lightweight title on June 28 after giving up the super featherweight crown; and stopped Oscar de la Hoya in the eighth on December 6 in a non-title welterweight super fight.

“The race for the 2008 Fighter of the Year award is not much of a race at all,” said Iole. “It’s about as competitive as the 1973 Belmont, when the great Secretariat won by 31 lengths, or the 1940 NFL championship game, when the Chicago Bears routed the Washington Redskin 73-0.”

“Picking the winner this year is as easy as falling asleep on the couch after a large holiday meal. It doesn’t take much effort.”

Iole pointed out, however, that there were plenty of good individual performances in 2008, including second placer World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Antonio Marga­rito (37-5, 27 knockouts) who knocked out Kermit Cintron in the sixth round on April 12 to win the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title; stopped Miguel Cotto in the 11th round on July 26 to win the WBA title after giving up the IBF belt.

In third place was Juan Manuel Marquez (49-4-1, 36 knockouts), who lost a split decision to Pacquiao in March and then went on to inflict the only stoppage loss of Joel Casamayor via an 11th round technical knockout (TKO) on September 13 to win Ring Magazine lightweight belt.

Coming in fourth was knockout artist Juan Manuel Lopez, WBO super bantamweight champion (24-0, 22 knockouts). The Mexican power puncher won by third round TKO over Jonathan Oquendo on February 23; first round TKO over Daniel Ponce de Leon on June 7 to win WBO super bantamweight title; first round knockout of Cesar Figueroa on October 4; and first round TKO over Sergio Medina on December 6.

In fifth place was unbeaten Joe Calzaghe, Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion (46-0, 32 knockouts), who won a split decision over Bernard Hopkins on April 12 to win the Ring belt, and went on to outclass Roy Jones Jr. on November 8.

In choosing Roach as Trainer of the Year, Yahoo Sports underscored how the renowned American trainer “methodically molded Pacquiao into the world’s greatest fighter.”

Iole observed how Roach helped develop and refine PacMan from “once strictly a one-handed fighter who was not difficult to hit,” into a formidable boxer who packs power in both hands, and “no longer eating the big blows he took earlier in this career.”

Roach helped Pacquiao improve his balance, increase his defensive awareness, develop his right and tighten his punches, Iole said.

“Roach is almost a master game planner as well as a sharp eye in the corner. He’s able to suggest subtle changes during a fight that can make the difference between winning and losing,” he added.

Roach edged out other great trainers like Javier Capetillo, Margarito’s coach; former US Olympics team coach Kenny Adams who is polishing the rough edges in super featherweight knockout phenom Edwin Valero; and Enzo Calzaghe, father and trainer of unbeaten light heavyweight champ Joe Calzaghe. By Jun Medina, Special Correspondent

2008: YEAR OF THE PAC

Chinese astrologers will have you believe that 2008 was the 'Year of the Rat', but fight fans the world over know better.

This was, unquestionably, the 'Year of the 'Pac'. No if's or but's about it; this was the year Filipino buzz-saw Manny Pacquiao established himself as the premier 'pound-for-pound' talent on the planet.

Britain's Joe Calzaghe enjoyed a stellar year himself by travelling to America and beating golden oldies Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr in impressive fashion.

However, Pacquiao's achievements dwarf even those of the Welshman. Manny started the year by punching out a decision win over old rival (and fellow pound-for-pounder) Juan Manuel Marquez. It was a split-decision verdict and after their contentious draw in 2004 there is no doubt that those two have unfinished business.

However, Pacquiao then went on to become the first Asian boxer to win world titles in four weight classes as he took apart a game but outgunned David Diaz in Las Vegas. People were impressed that his speed and power had travelled with him up to lightweight after he stopped Diaz in round nine with a picture-perfect left hook that took everything out of his opponent.

However if they were impressed by his exploits at 135lbs, his next move was audacity personified.

Pacquiao agreed to go all the way up to welterweight to take on modern great Oscar De La Hoya.

The critics, mindful that a good big 'un always beats a good little 'un, lambasted the decision to chase the money against De La Hoya and there were genuine fears for Manny's health against a multi-weight world champion who had campaigned as high as middleweight.

But Pacquiao confounded the critics, De La Hoya and just about everybody else on an unforgettable night at the MGM Grand earlier this month as he pulled off a stunning victory over the 'Golden Boy'.

A force of nature on the night, Pacquiao was relentless against De La Hoya, using his speed and ring smarts to utterly befuddle one of the best fighters of his generation.

What became apparent watching that fight was just how much more accomplished Pacquiao now is as a fighter. Once upon a time he was too heavily reliant on his left hand and that incredible speed. However, under the watchful eye of Freddie Roach Pacquiao is now a master of distance and timing in the ring. A whirlwind with a plan who can box at breathtaking pace for three minutes of every round and who can set things up with a fine jab. He has become almost the complete fighter and while a bout between him and former 'pound-for-pound' top dog Floyd Mayweather Jr would have been dismissed as a mismatch 12 to 18 months ago, if the 'Pretty Boy' does decide to come out of retirement I can't see the odds men being overwhelmed by people desperate to back Mayweather.

Pacquiao was the star turn in 2008 but there were plenty of other notable performances from his 'pound-for-pound' peers.

Hopkins lost a close one to Calzaghe but then shook up to world by putting on a masterclass against Kelly Pavlik to re-establish himself at the business end of 'P4P' proceedings at the venerable age of 43.

Elsewhere Antonio Margarito gatecrashed the 'pound-for-pound' party with a sensational win over the heralded Miguel Cotto in a fight that had everything.

It was feted as 'The Battle' and there was a war-like quality to the way these two went at each other. Cotto showed his class early on but Margarito was simply too relentless in the end as he smashed his Puerto Rican rival into submission after just over half an hour of guerrilla warfare. To the victor the spoils then and as well as securing a career best pay-day and setting up another big-money match against Shane Mosley (set for January), the 'Tijuana Tornado' also gained recognition at last as one of the best boxers of his era.

Cotto can hopefully come again but even if he doesn't Puerto Rican fight fans have another star in their midst in the shape of KO king Juan Manuel Lopez.

The super-bantamweight, from the same Caguas city as Cotto, is currently 24-0 and cultivating a reputation as one of the purest punchers in the sport.

In four fights this year he boxed less than six rounds and his last three world-title fights have all ended in the first.

JuanMa burst onto the scene when he separated Mexican banger Daniel Ponce de Leon from his senses back in June and earlier this month he smashed Sergio Medina to defeat inside 98 seconds on the big De La Hoya-Pacquiao bill.

Sandwiched in between all that he halted Mexican veteran Cesar Figueroa in a round and if he can secure a fight with our current 'pound-for-pound' number seven Israel Vazquez or Panamanian puncher Celestino Caballero next year and put in the sort of shifts he has been doing lately then he could end up being the star of 2009.

Sportinglife.com pound-for-pound world top 10:

1 - Manny Pacquiao

2 - Joe Calzaghe

3 - Juan Manuel Marquez

4 - Bernard Hopkins

5 - Antonio Margarito

6 - Miguel Cotto

7 - Israel Vazquez

8 - Ricky Hatton

9 - Chad Dawson

10 - Paul Williams

By Derek Bilton

The Year of Pacquiao

2008 will go down in sports history as the year Manny Pacquiao affirmed his supremacy as the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound champion. No Filipino fighter – or athlete, for that matter – has gained as much global acclaim as Pacquiao, who is destined to be in the Hall of Fame as the first Asian to win world titles in five different divisions.

To be sure, Pacquiao – who turned 30 last Dec. 17 – has at least two megabuck fights left before retiring to run for public office in 2010. And even if Pacquiao succeeds in claiming the lone congressional seat in Saranggani province, it’s not likely he’ll give up boxing completely. The lure of the ring is a compelling temptation, especially for a fighter who’s still at the top of his game.

What makes Pacquiao special not just as a fighter but as a Filipino is his ability to defy the odds. There is no more glowing personification of the slogan, “Yes, the Filipino can” – for Pacquiao is like a David who has made it a habit to slay Goliath.

Somehow, Pacquiao seems more determined to win when there are doubts on his ability to deliver.

Whenever he enters the ring, Pacquiao never fails to get down on his knees, bow his head and pray in a quiet moment in a corner. That’s also what he does right after a fight. Pacquiao leaves his fate in God’s hands. He’ll do his best when the bell rings but the rest is up to the Man upstairs.

It’s a fact that the entire country is frozen into a sense of paralysis during every Pacquiao fight. Millions watch in theaters, restaurants, bars and on TV as the folk hero puts on his gloves and the country on his back to go to war. Each fight is a story that adds to his legendary status.

If it’s not Pacquiao’s power that propels him to victory, it’s his guts or his heart or his speed or his smarts or a combination of all those. To his adoring fans, Pacquiao isn’t just Pacman – he’s Superman.

The inspiring message in Pacquiao’s tale is you can be anything you want to be if you put your heart into it, work hard, believe in yourself and let God show you the way. Pacquiao’s rise from rags to riches is a story that will be told and retold for generations to bring hope to the hopeless and faith to the faithless.

Born to a poor family, Pacquiao sold bread in the streets of General Santos City as a boy and figured in streetfights to survive. He was barely 15 when he joined nine other amateur fighters in a boat to Manila, without a centavo in his pocket, seeking fame and fortune in the Big City. In the Sampaloc gym where he trained, Pacquiao slept in the ring, damp with sweat and stained with fighters’ blood.

Pacquiao persevered. He saw action in little backyard smokers, trying to make a name for himself. Slowly, his reputation as an exciting, devil-may-care brawler spread far and wide. Pacquiao became the darling of local boxing.

In 1998, Pacquiao won his first world title – the WBC flyweight crown at Chatchai Sasakul’s expense in Thailand. In 2001, he annexed his second jewel, the IBF superbantamweight championship. In 2003, Pacquiao stopped Marco Antonio Barrera for the Ring Magazine or “people’s” world featherweight title. And this year, he added two more belts to his growing collection – the WBC superfeatherweight title and the WBC lightweight diadem.

It was last March 15 at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas where Pacquiao wrested the WBC 130-pound title via a split 12-round decision over Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao floored Marquez with a left hook in the third round and the knockdown proved to be decisive. Judge Tom Miller had it 114-113 and judge Duane Ford, 115-113, both for Pacquiao while judge Jerry Roth saw it 115-112 for Marquez.

Pacquiao led in the three scorecards after five rounds. Two of the three judges gave the last round to Marquez. The big difference was the knockdown that Pacquiao scored – it meant an automatic two-point margin. In punchstats, Pacquiao threw 619 blows to Marquez’ 511 but was less accurate, 25 percent to 34. In jabs, Pacquiao landed 43 and Marquez, 42. In terms of volume and work rate, Pacquiao had the edge.

Pay-per-view hits went up to 405,000 translated to $20 million with Pacquiao claiming a share of at least $2 million added to his guaranteed purse of over $5 million. The gate of more than 11,000 contributed $3.3 million to the pot.

Pacquiao’s second fight of the year fell on June 28. This time, he faced WBC lightweight champion David Diaz at the Mandalay Events Center.

There was some apprehension that Pacquiao wouldn’t be able to carry over his speed and power to the lightweight division where the limit is 135 pounds compared to the superfeatherweight limit of 130.

But Pacquiao proved his resiliency in disposing of the durable Diaz in the ninth round of an action-packed thriller. Diaz went down, face first, from a left hook to the jaw and referee Vic Drakulich didn’t bother to count. In a gesture of compassion, Pacquiao rushed in to check on Diaz’ condition as he lay on the canvas.

For seven weeks, Pacquiao was immersed in hard training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, preparing for Diaz by adding muscle to his physique. With strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza laying out a program designed to keep Pacquiao potent at his new weight, the jump to lightweight went smoothly.

As the challenger, Pacquiao earned about $5 million for the workout, including his share of the pay-per-view receipts from some 250,000 subscriptions. It was more than the $850,000 the champion received, a disparity that only confirmed Pacquiao’s box office stature.

Only eight fighters in history have claimed five world titles in different divisions. Pacquiao joined Tommy Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar de la Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Lester Ellis, Hector Camacho and Roberto Duran in the elite cast.

In August, Pacquiao led the Philippine delegation in holding up the colors at the National “Bird’s Nest” Stadium in Beijing to open the Olympics. It was a role that President Arroyo herself assigned to Pacquiao. Never in the history of the Olympics had a professional boxer been accorded the honor of being a flag bearer for a country in the traditional inaugural parade.

“While Manny’s not a participant in the Olympics, he epitomizes the ultimate Pinoy athlete, having gained unprecedented records and success as a world champion,” said Rep. Monico Puentevella, the newly-elected Philippine Olympic Committee chairman.

“The flag bearer represents the best of any country plus the fact that any Juan de la Cruz identifies sports today with Manny. There is no greater once-in-a-lifetime honor our country can give than to make Manny walk beside Federer, Nadal, Kobe, LeBron and the others in the same arena. Manny deserves it.”

Then came the Dec. 6 showdown between Pacquiao and De la Hoya at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight was set at the catchweight limit of 147 pounds and Pacquiao checked in at l42, the heaviest he has ever scaled for a bout.

Again, there was apprehension that Pacquiao wouldn’t be able to handle the extra weight, that his power would be severely diminished.

But like the hero in a storybook ending, Pacquiao upset the odds in stopping De la Hoya at the end of the eighth round. He had a look of concern when De la Hoya, his face puffy from constant pounding, surrendered and told the Golden Boy, “You’re still my idol.” To which De la Hoya responded, “No, now you’re my idol.”

Pacquiao’s reward was recognition as the world’s best fighter today. Depending on the final count of pay-per-view hits, he could walk away with a gross take of $20 million to $25 million. Pacquiao broke the one-million pay-per-view barrier for the first time in his career as indications pointed to at least 1.25 million buys for a gross income of about $70 million.

The Dream Match with De la Hoya tied for ninth overall in the all-time list and was the third biggest-selling non-heavyweight fight in pay-per-view history.

Last Dec. 17, Pacquiao hosted a lavish birthday treat for 2,000 well-wishers at the convention center of the KCC Mall in General Santos City. President Arroyo led the star-studded guest list which included Diaz, unbeaten knockout artist Edwin Valero of Venezuela, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, trainer Freddie Roach, former Gov. Chavit Singson, Secretary Lito Atienza, Rep. Puentevella, Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia, Gen. Alexander Yano, Solar chairman William Tieng, Solar president Wilson Tieng, Solar chief operating officer Peter Chanliong, Michael Koncz, Rob Peters, Wakee Salud, Eddie Gutierrez, Annabelle Rama, Atlanta Olympics silver medalist Onyok Velasco and Smart Sports’ Patrick Gregorio.

The estimate was Pacquiao spent at least P5 million for the affair which featured a Las Vegas showtime theme with slot machines, poker tables and dancing girls on stage. Pacquiao treated his guests, dressed to the nines, with endless food and drinks but didn’t forget his fans who couldn’t be accommodated. He provided food and drinks, too, for 5,000 more at the nearby Oval Plaza.

Pacquiao is now in the US to celebrate the holidays with wife Jinkee – expected to give birth to their fourth child, a girl to be named Queen Elizabeth any day now – sons Jemuel and Michael and daughter Mary Divine Grace.

Up next is a duel with IBO lightwelterweight champion Ricky Hatton of England on May 2 in Las Vegas. That should bring in another $20 million to Pacquiao’s bank account. And to cap the year, Pacquiao will likely face unbeaten Floyd Mayweather.

The sky’s the limit for Pacquiao as he brings pride, honor and glory to the Philippines as a global icon and living legend. The story of the King of the Ring is far from over.

Pacquiao takes top fighter for 2008

After Manny Pacquiao's demolition of Oscar De La Hoya earlier this month, British light heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe declared boxing dead.

It ain't so, Joe.

While the sport wasn't quite able to match the banner year it enjoyed in 2007, 2008 didn't disappoint. There were a number of exciting matches, twists, turns and surprises.

But perhaps more than anything, 2008 will be remembered as a year of change.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced his retirement and, even more surprising, so far has stayed retired.

Based on his shellacking at the hands of Pacquiao, De La Hoya appears likely to retire. Calzaghe says he's fought his last fight and Roy Jones Jr., after losing to Calzaghe, may have reached the end of a 19-year career.

The economy has taken its toll on the sport, too.

Las Vegas is hurting, Univision canceled its “Solo Boxeo” program on Telefutura and ESPN pulled the plug on its “Wednesday Night Fights” show.

Locally, 2008 was marked by shock and sadness. The brain injury suffered by Oscar Diaz during a bout in July at Municipal Auditorium hit the local boxing community hard.

Here, then, are my annual year-end awards:

FIGHTER OF THE YEAR

Manny Pacquiao: This Filipino phenom wins his second award in three years, this time in runaway fashion.

With signature wins over Juan Manuel Marquez and De La Hoya, sandwiched around a dominating performance against David Diaz — each in a different weight class — Pacquiao established himself as the top fighter in the sport today. John Whisler - Express-News

Manny Pacquiao gets his first taste of paparazzi in America

Manny Pacquiao And Friends At The Staples Center for the Celtics vs Lakers Game on Christmas Day in Los Angeles. From Hollywoodtv

Pacquiao Star's Sportsman of the Year: The legend lives on

No Filipino athlete in history has done so much for his country as Manny Pacquiao and for his magical ability to unify the homeland, The Philippine Star has declared the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter as Sportsman of the Year.

In carrying out his mission to conquer the globe, Pacquiao holds the Philippine flag high and lets it fly proudly.

Pacquiao’s charismatic magnetism is as overpowering as his jarring left hook. Whenever he steps onto the ring, there is absolute paralysis on the streets all over the nation. The crime rate drops to zero. Political enemies are suddenly on the same side. If only for a while, the less fortunate are swept in a dream-like escape from their woes. As a unifying element, Pacquiao is able to bring a fractious society together.

Today, the country, if not the world, cries out for a hero to inspire hope, to promote unity and to provide a symbol of honor, self-respect and pride. Pacquiao’s emergence from the depths of poverty to capture the imagination of sports fans with his guts, courage and heart is a story of a man born to be a legend.

In his remarkable career, Pacquiao has carved an indelible mark that will ultimately take him to the International Boxing Hall of Fame where only three Filipinos – Pancho Villa, Flash Elorde and promoter Lope (Papa) Sarreal Sr. – are enshrined. Pacquiao’s inevitable induction to signify universal recognition of boxing greatness will be his crowning glory.

* * *

There is no doubt this was Pacquiao’s year. He had three milestone fights and won them all.

Last March, the Filipino ring icon dropped Juan Manuel Marquez with a left hook to the jaw en route to scoring a split 12-round decision for the WBC superfeatherweight crown at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas .

Then, last June, Pacquiao bludgeoned David Diaz to wrest the WBC lightweight title via a ninth round knockout, also at the Mandalay Events Center. The belt was Pacquiao’s fifth in his growing collection after bagging the WBC flyweight diadem in 1998, the IBF superbantamweight jewel in 2001, the Ring Magazine “people’s” featherweight title in 2003 and the WBC superfeatherweight crown only three months before.

Finally, early this month, Pacquiao was back in Las Vegas , this time at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, to post the most impressive victory of his career. He hammered Oscar de la Hoya into submission at the end of eight rounds to reaffirm his status as the world’s undisputed No. 1 boxer today.

What made Pacquiao’s triumph over De la Hoya more impressive was the way he dominated the Golden Boy who has held 10 world titles in six different divisions. From the onset, Pacquiao relentlessly attacked De la Hoya and never backed off in dealing the legendary 1992 Olympic gold medalist his worst beating ever. Pacquiao gave up four inches in height and six inches in reach but the size factor was negated by his masterful execution of a fightplan that capitalized on his speed, power and smarts.

Pacquiao also retired De la Hoya as the fight game’s pay-per-view king. The Dream Match drew over 1.25 million hits, only the fourth bout in history that did not involve heavyweights to breach the million mark. It tied for ninth overall in the all-time ladder and is the third biggest-selling non-heavyweight fight in pay-per-view history.

Based on a pay-per-view gross of about $80 Million, it was estimated that Pacquiao could cash in on a share of at least $15 Million. With a purse of $10 Million, Pacquiao could wind up grossing $25 Million after the final accounting is done.

This year alone, Pacquiao’s three fights attracted a grand total of close to two million pay-per-view hits. The Marquez rematch pulled in 405,000 while the Diaz massacre, about 250,000. Pacquiao earned $10 Million from the two outings and adding his take from the De la Hoya fight, his year’s gross could be close to $35 Million or the equivalent of P1.75 Billion.

As the first Filipino billionaire athlete, Pacquiao is in a class of his own. No other Filipino in sports has reaped more honor for the country.

It’s no wonder that the whole world has taken notice of Pacquiao’s phenomenal rise to fame. He is an inspiration to everyone, regardless of creed, color and class. He is David the Goliath slayer, the underdog who defies the odds with incredible consistency.

After Pacquiao demolished Diaz last June, star players of the Boston Celtics trooped to his dressing room to congratulate their hero and pose for pictures with a man who reached only up to their chest in his bare feet. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and their teammates whooped it up with the new WBC lightweight champion.

* * *

At the Beijing Olympics, a global audience witnessed more adulation for Pacquiao. The entire US basketball team broke ranks as NBA stars jockeyed for position to take photos with the Filipino before the opening parade.

Kobe Bryant posed with Pacquiao and promised to watch his next fight if his NBA schedule allowed. Deron Williams asked Chris Bosh to take his photo with the fighter. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade took their turn. Carmelo Anthony begged for a pair of boxing gloves with Pacquiao’s autograph. What a sight for NBA stars, like giggly kids, trying to get a piece of Pacquiao as a souvenir even if he was dwarfed by the skyscrapers.

Pacquiao was in Beijing as the Philippine delegation’s flag-bearer, an unprecedented distinction for a non-Olympian and professional fighter to carry the national colors.

Pacquiao’s popularity as an international sports icon has been further reinforced by a Nike TV commercial where he appears with Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Bryant.

And in Dec. 8 issue of Sports Illustrated, a four-page story on Pacquiao established his arrival as a marquee superstar. No Filipino athlete had ever been featured in the long history of the prestigious magazine.

“Back home (in the Philippines), Beatlemania pales in comparison to Pacmania,” wrote Pablo Torre in the Sports Illustrated story entitled “Political Punch.” “He is both the star and subject of movies. He hosts a reality TV show. He even has his face on a postage stamp. Pacquiao overshadows just about everything, national security included. Last March, before his victorious superfeatherrweight rematch against Marquez, the Philippine military declared a seven-hour ceasefire in its war against communist insurgents.”

Torre quoted President Arroyo as saying, “Manny is our people’s idol and this generation’s shining light … he is our hero and the bearer of the Filipino dream – you can feel the excitement throughout the country every time he is in the ring.”

Pacquiao isn’t just a champion, he’s the personification of hope for all Filipinos that someone from humble beginnings can become a man of consequence through hard work, grit and determination.

This coming year, Pacquiao has lined up two fights that could propel him into boxing immortality. He’s slated to face British brawler Ricky Hatton in May in Las Vegas and later, unbeaten Floyd Mayweather who is being lured out of retirement to take on his successor as Lord of the Ring.

The burden is heavy on Pacquiao’s shoulders because he knows he fights not only for himself and his family but for the entire Filipino nation. But what eases the burden is Pacquiao’s realization that his countrymen are solidly behind him, praying fervently for his success, because his victory is a victory for every Filipino.

By Joaquin Henson, Phil Star

Pacquiao is WBC Boxer of the Year

WBC BOXER OF THE YEAR - Manny Pacquiao, Philippines: Manny won the World Boxing Council super featherweight world title by decision against defending champion Juan Manuel Marquez in March, then won the WBC lightweight world title by TKO against defending champion David Diaz three months later in June. Manny finished the year in December with a sensational TKO win against Oscar De La Hoya in the welterweight division..

WBC HONORABLE MENTION BOXER OF THE YEAR
Edgar Sosa, Mexico: Edgar successfully defended the WBC light flyweight world title four times, defeating top level opponents which included mandatory challenger Juanito Rubillar of the Philippines in November.

WBC COMEBACK OF THE DECADE
Vitali Klitschko, Ukraine: He came back as WBC Emeritus Champion in the heavyweight division in October after almost four years without fighting. He won the WBC heavyweight world title for the second time with an impressive performance in his TKO win against defending champion Samuel Peter in October.

WBC FIGHT OF THE YEAR
Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez: The third fight between these two great Mexican champions in March was a spectacular battle. Vazquez was knocked down in the fourth round, but came back to knock down Marquez in the twelfth round and retain the WBC super bantamweight world title by decision.

WBC MOST DRAMATIC FIGHT OF THE YEAR
Carl Froch vs. Jean Pascal: Froch, the new British sensation, won the vacant WBC super middleweight world title by decision against Canadian warrior Pascal in an intense and dramatic fight in December.

WBC KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR
Vic Darchinyan, Australia: The new WBC super flyweight world champion knocked out talented and accomplished defending champion Cristian Mijares of Mexico, and fulfilled his dream of winning the green and gold belt.

WBC GREATEST PROMOTION OF THE YEAR
Samuel Peter vs. Oleg Maskaev: For the first time ever, a heavyweight world championship fight was held in Mexico - it was a top-notch promotion and great success in paradisiacal Cancun in March. The atmosphere in the bullring was electric with a capacity crowd in attendance, and the broadcast on HBO was excellent. Interim champion Peter, a native of Nigeria living in Las Vegas, Nevada, won the WBC heavyweight world title with a ninth-round TKO against defending champion Maskaev, a native of Russia living in Sacramento, California.

‘Ang Pambansang Kamao’

He did it again! Manny Pacquiao, poor boy from General Santos, who started his boxing career at age 16, and had prior to that worked in construction and even sold flowers in front of the church, was destined to be a living hero and model for many young men aspiring to rise from poverty to fame and fortune. And to his adoring fans he is simply "Ang Pambansang Kamao" (literally, "the national fist") or the People’s Champ. His popular nickname is PacMan, and more recently, "The Mexecutioner."

As usual, though a tyro on sports, I nonetheless feel moved to express my own admiration for this man, who has worked so hard to achieve his present status as the best "pound-for-pound" fighter (I’m afraid I don’t know what that means), bringing honor to his country and his people. Because my husband is such a boxing fan, hooked as he is to Solar Sports on TV, I have been watching ring bouts, but only of Manny Pacquiao. I still think it is an extremely bloody sport, not too far removed from the gladiators of Roman times, and so I eschew all other fights.

One thing I like about this young man is that he doesn’t boast about his prowess, nor does he resort to name-calling or putdowns of his opponents. While I honestly know so little about the rules of the game, I am able to see that he is a clean fighter, no dirty tricks such as head butts. In this most recent fight where he trounced Mexican-American Oscar de La Hoya, prior to the famed event, the latter made some malicious digs. Manny was never uncharitable, and even when he had won the fight, he had the humility to say, "You’re still my idol." And indeed, during that fight, it was clear that he was giving De La Hoya a lot of chances to recover...like moving away after having cornered the other guy, when he could just as easily pummeled him some more and won by a real knockout.

Manny’s boxing career began at age 16, and according to a recent interview written up in the December issue of Reader’s Digest (whose cover he graced), he actually fibbed about his age in order to be allowed to fight. Since 1995, he has fought 53 fights, winning 48 of them and losing only three. His first big break came on June 23, 2001, when he fought against IBF super bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo in Las Vegas, and winning the fight to become the new champion.

But I think his rise to fame began when he started fighting and winning against reigning boxing champions who were Mexican (which thus eventually led to his being called "Mexecutioner," absolutely confirmed by his crushing of De La Hoya, who probably expected to remove that title from him!), such as Barrera, Marquez, and Morales. Receiving expert training from Freddie Roach, he improved his speed and mental preparation. His first fight against Marco Antonio Barrera was said to have defined his career. Moving up in weight to the featherweight division, he defeated Barrera via a TKO in the 11th round. Although this fight was not recognized as a title fight by any of the sanctioning bodies, Pacquiao was recognized as a world champion by Ring Magazine after his victory, and he held that title until relinquishing it in 2005.

After Barrera, Pacquiao’s next Mexican opponent was Juan Manuel Marquez, then holder of the World Boxing Association (WBA) AND International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight titles. The fight was held at the MGM Grand, and it ended in a controversial draw, but one of the judges later admitted to making an error in the scorecards. He proved his ascendancy over Marquez in a rematch on March 15, 2008, which he won after knocking Marquez down in the third round. By then, he had become the first Filipino to win three world titles in three different weight divisions flyweight, super bantamweight, and super featherweight.

The next Mexican legend he fought was Erik Morales, whom he fought for the first time in the super featherweight division and to whom he lost. However, in a much-anticipated rematch on Jan. 22, 2006, he defeated Morales via a 10th round KO in Las Vegas. They fought for a third time on November 18, 2006, in Las Vegas again, with Pacquiao definitively trouncing Morales via a third-round knockout. At the end of 2006, he was named by both HBO andRing Magazine as the fighter of the year, with HBO also naming him as the most exciting fighter of the year. Other Mexicans gobbled up by the unrelenting Pacman were Jorge Solis, Oscar Larios, and Hector Velasquez.

What I admire most in Manny is his simple religious faith. Before every fight, he attends Mass, and just before he begins to fight, he kneels at his corner, bows his head, and prays. He has a rosary around his neck, which of course has to be removed when he is actually boxing, but which is the first thing he puts on again at the end of the fight as he kneels once again to thank God. Reports say that his mother says the rosary continuously during his fights, so I can only conclude that Manny received his simple piety from his mother. And of course, we know that the Lord is most especially vulnerable to a mother’s prayers!

It had been noted that during all of Pacquiao’s fights, crime was virtually nil. Even the Mindanao insurgency was put on hold. The only other time that I recall that there were no reported crimes was when the good Holy Father, Pope John Paul II came to visit the Philippines. People say that Manny Pacquiao is a unifying force for our beleaguered nation. Unfortunately, some people would also like to take advantage of his popularity by inveigling him into politics, preying on his generosity and genuine desire to help the poor. He suffered a defeat and lost a lot of money when he succumbed to the temptation to run for a political office ... a lot of people actually prayed for his defeat so that he would remain in boxing.

As an unmitigated fan, if I had my druthers, I’d wish that Manny should steer clear of politics. This is a game for which he is so unprepared, so innocent and ingenuous. If he must share his blessings, for which he unabashedly thanks God, and his generosity knows no bounds, then he should do so via other means, such as putting up foundations for education, health, and similar activities.But please, never, never in the morass of Philippine politics!

By Mercedes B. Suleik, Capital View, Business Online

Manila Bulletin: Man of the Year

You must wonder what Philippine sports would be like for 2008 if there were no Manny Pacquiao.

In a performance defying the direst prognosis, the guy has not only shamed pessimists and so-called experts, he has done so with panache.

We are talking, of course, of our fighter’s last great fight. The way he dismantled Oscar De La Hoya, you would think this was a match made in heaven for our guy. He savaged the proud Mexican-American who once owned 10 world titles, leaving us to watch a rare and awesome force in action.

He actually did what our government failed to do. He united us and made us proud of ourselves. He made us forget our lack of money, our hunger, our crazy politics, our divisiveness, our traffic jams.

In brief, he made us see, not what is wrong with us, but what is great about us.

In a year marked by athletic mediocrity in nearly every field, Pacquiao has provided the inspiration and the example, the courage and the will, and today none of us begrudge him the hundreds of millions of pesos (some say more than a billion pesos) that have come his way. Nor do we deny him the honor of being called the greatest Filipino boxer nay, the greatest Filipino athlete ever.

All told, he did not just give us a one-time, big-time fight. He went up the ring three times in 10 months, in a trilogy of spellbinding courage and methodical execution of skill, and with each fight showing him in even better form.

In a year marred by one scandal after another, Pacquiao’s heroics – derring-do if you will – have been like fresh rainfall, cleansing our heads and lifting our spirits. In other words, he has left us with a darn good feeling.

This December, he destroyed Oscar De La Hoya, a certified star and the most luminous boxer of his era.

Last March, he created bright moments against Juan Manuel Marquez, in a fight that seemed to have ignited his banner year. With this fight, which he won by split decision and which some quarters claim he lost, Pacquiao added the WBC super featherweight title to his two other titles.

And last June, he clobbered lightweight champion David Diaz so thoroughly and fairly, he turned the Mexican-American from Chicago into a life-long fan, who would pay him homage by attending his birthday bash all the way in General Santos City.

What’s left for Pacquiao to conquer?

Well, there’s Ricky Hatton of Britain, who has a rabid British following that would rival Pacquiao’s Filipino groupies, and perhaps Floyd Mayweather Jr., who might just make a comeback to test the mettle of this Filipino who dares grab his title as boxing’s best pound-for-pound boxer.

But as intense as these fights may become, they can wait. What we want to do now is offer a toast to Pacquiao, to his health and to his skill, and thank him for giving us the priceless gift of national pride.

This 5-6 Filipino phenom has mastered the sport of boxing, gone on to conquer the world stage against certified world champions, and earned the crown of the most important Filipino athlete in modern times. With this, he has energized the nation, shown the world the stuff we’re made of, and put the country on the world map like no one before him.

And so we name Pacquiao, not just our Sportsman of the Year, but our Man of the Year.

By DING MARCELO, Manila Bulletin

Pacquiao among top awardees in AFP anniversary celebration

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing sensation Emmanuel “Manny" Pacquiao was among the top awardees during the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) 73rd anniversary celebration on Monday, and drew louder applause than regular military officers who have made outstanding achievements in combat.

Pacquiao - a reserve Army soldier with a rank of master sergeant - was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor Award in the degree of an officer for his “exceptionally meritorious act of commendable merit and unparalleled achievement in the field of sports, particularly in boxing."

The award was conferred by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Pacquiao received his medal clad in general officer's attire.

The citation noted that Pacquiao, who recently won a highly-publicized match with boxing's Golden Boy Oscar dela Hoya, is the first Filipino and Asian boxer to win four world titles in different weight divisions and “considered the best fighter in the world in his time."

As soon as Pacquiao’s name was called out, the crowd gave him an applause that even drowned out cheers given to Gold Cross Medal awardees 2Lt. Kenneth Gutleng and Sgt. Ricky Villar, who were cited for their bravery in combat.

Gutleng - who was posthumously given the award - was a member of the 61st Reconnaissance Company who led an operation against rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in the outskirts of Datu Piang in Maguindano that resulted in the recovery of wounded personnel of the 54th Infantry Battalion last September. Gutleng perished in the operation.

On the other hand, Villar - a member of the Marines’ Force Recon Battalion - was among those involved in the amphibious raid of a lair in Tawi-Tawi, whose occupant included Jema'ah Islamiyah leader Dulmatin last January. An Abu Sayyaf sub-leader died in the raid.

It was in the same encounter where Dulmatin supposedly died. Tissue samples from a recovered body is being compared to the relatives of Dulmatin to determine if the body indeed belonged to the JI leader although initial result of the tests indicated it was inconclusive.

The other awardees included Brig. Gen. Romeo Gomez who was conferred with the Distinguished Service Star for leading the neutralization of five guerrilla fronts of the New People’s Army in Central Luzon while the commander of the Army’s 703rd Brigade.

Also conferred with the Philippine of Legion of Honor were AFP vice chief Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna (first bronze anahaw leaf) and AFP deputy chief Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang (degree of commander).

Luna was cited for leading the AFP Joint Force Mindanao that is overseeing the ongoing operations against the rogue MILF rebels. On the other hand, Maclang was cited for his feats as commander of the Northern Luzon Command against communist insurgents.

Also awarded with Philippine Legion of Honor (first anahaw leaf) was Don Emilio Yap for being a “generous donor and consistent supporter" of the AFP’s Educational Benefit System since 2005. To date, he has donated P6 million, benefiting over 3,162 scholars, mostly children of deceased and disabled soldiers.

Monday’s anniversary celebration at the AFP grandstand featured a glamorous parade of troops, battle tanks and military engineering equipment and flyby of varied aircraft, including the S-211 trainer jets that had been converted as fighter planes. - GMANews.TV

Report: Pacquiao, Hatton sides hope deal settled before year ends

MANILA, Philippines – The promoters of Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton stressed that a match pitting their fighters is close to being finalized, ESPN.com reported on Saturday.

Bob Arum of Top Rank Inc., Pacquiao's promoter, told ESPN.com writer Dan Rafael that he is "upbeat" about developments.

"I think we're there. We're just mopping up little details."

Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Hatton, echoed the optimism.

"I talked to Ray Hatton [Ricky's father] and my hope is that we can finalize everything before the end of the year. I feel pretty good about it."

A May 2 date is being eyed, both promoters said. Although Las Vegas is seen as the host city, a specific venue has yet to be named.

Pacquiao, who is on track to be named 2008's Fighter of the Year, will be fighting in his fourth weight division in as many matches.

If Pacquiao takes on Hatton, the catch weight will be at junior welterweight (140 lbs), Hatton's domain.

Pacquiao fought at 132 lbs last April, 135 in June and 147 earlier this month when he blasted Oscar de la Hoya.

Pacquiao is currently the world lightweight (135lb) champion, while Hatton is the reigning 140lb world champion. – GMANews.TV

Boxing's 2008 Fighter of the Year: Manny Pacquiao

When your year roughly mirrors one of the finest achievements in boxing history -- Henry Armstrong's simultaneous three-division reign -- then it's going to be hard for anyone to top you in the Fighter of the Year category. And that's what Manny Pacquiao did in 2008.

Just a few weeks ago, Pacquiao toppled Oscar De La Hoya at 147 lbs. to complete a 2008 that is so majestic it's going to take a little while to sink in. This was the year he probably became the greatest Asian fighter ever. It was the year he became the best fighter currently in the game, bar none. It was the year he, with Juan Manuel Marquez, broke the pay-per-view sales record for a fight featuring boxers below 147 lbs., and participated, with De La Hoya, in the #3 non-heavyweight pay-per-view sales record. By beating three top opponents in three different weight classes, he mimicked Armstrong's feat, if not precisely, then closely enough that comparisons aren't unwarranted.

And it wasn't boring even for a second. Howsabout pulling off one of the most dominant upset wins ever? Check, did that against De La Hoya. Maybe knockouts are your game? Fine, take a look at the way Pacquiao crushed David Diaz in his lightweight (135 lbs.) debut. Perhaps you're the purist-type, only wanting to see the best fighting the best and producing the most action-packed fights? It would be difficult to ask for more than the Fight of the Year candidate Pacquiao waged against then-130-pound Marquez, a match-up that featured what are now the consensus two best fighters in the sport of any weight. That one won him the lineal Ring magazine title belt, to go with the alphabet title strap he won off Diaz. He won a whole different title altogether by beating De La Hoya: Like Floyd Mayweather, Jr. last year, Pacquiao became the heir apparent as the figurehead of the sport as a whole.

Pacquiao's sure to sweep the Fighter of the Year awards from almost everyone in 2008. If he wins the nod from Ring magazine, he'll become a two-time winner by virtue of his 2006 nod, something only Mayweather, Evander Holyfield, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns have done in the last 20 years. That's pretty elite company, friends. And you know what's great? You get the impression he's just getting started. He's right in his prime; he's better than he ever was; and it looks like he's on his way to starting 2009 with the biggest conceivable fight that can be made among active boxers, a bout with 140-pound lineal champion (and the only rival to him in drawing power) Ricky Hatton. If he beats Hatton, then lures Mayweather out of retirement and beats him, and/or completes the much-needed trilogy with Marquez with a win, he moves into a stratosphere that almost sounds blasphemous: consideration as one of the handful of best boxers who ever lived, period.

Politics in the Philippines isn't my bag, but as a boxing fan, I'm so excited about what Pacquiao is capable of that I hope an opponent who's the electoral equivalent of Ronald Reagan in 1984 emerges to stand in the way of Pacquiao winning a congressional seat there in 2010. It's been a great ride, one that keeps getting better and better, and I don't want to see it end until it reaches its clear conclusion.

By: Tim Starks, The Queensberry Rules

Promoter: Pacquiao-Hatton Fight nearly finalized

SAN FRANCISCO: Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton are close to finalizing a deal to meet in a 140-pound (63.5-kilogram) bout on May 2, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The proposed fight, likely to be held in Las Vegas, would match boxing's unofficial pound-for-pound champion against one of the world's most popular brawlers, assuredly generating huge paydays for both fighters.

"I'm encouraged by the way it's going, and I'm talking to the Hattons (on Friday) again," Schaefer said. "You really have two of the most popular fighters of their generation fighting each other, and that's the kind of fight we want to make."

Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) seems to be at the peak of his skills and international fame after stopping Oscar De La Hoya in their long-anticipated bout on Dec. 6. The Filipino star had never fought above 135 pounds (61 kilograms), but he moved up two weight classes to batter De La Hoya, who didn't get off his stool after the eighth round.

He would move back down one weight class to face Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), the hard-living English star who won his last bout against Paulie Malignaggi on Nov. 22, defending his 140-pound (63.5-kilogram) title. Hatton won twice this year after the only loss of his career, to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007.

Schaefer said the sides are still negotiating the fight's location, but he would like to see it in boxing's capital city.

"This is a fight with tremendous global appeal, and both of them have built up a very strong following here," Schaefer said. "With Manny's following in Asia and Ricky's support in Europe, you could say Las Vegas is the center of everything."

Golden Boy has a promotional deal with Hatton. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, was traveling back from the Philippines on Thursday after celebrating Pacquiao's title.

Schaefer also will soon make a formal announcement of a Feb. 28 bout in Houston between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz.

Marquez (49-4-1, 36 KOs), the Mexican star who has been Pacquiao's toughest opponent in recent years, won his lightweight debut in late September, stopping Cuba's Joel Casamayor.

Diaz (34-1, 17 KOs), a longtime lightweight champion, won his comeback fight against Australia's Michael Katsidis in September after losing his three 135-pound (61-kilogram) title belts last March to Nate Campbell.

The Associated Press

Pacquiao birthday bash well-attended by celebrities

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Yahoo! Rankings: Manny is unanimous pick

There were few changes in the monthly Yahoo! Sports pound-for-pound rankings, as Manny Pacquiao solidified his hold on the top spot with his shocking rout of Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6.

Pacquiao is a unanimous No. 1, garnering all 30 first-place votes from the blue-ribbon panel. The only other change in the Top 10 is a swap at Nos. 8 and 9 between Miguel Cotto and Paul Williams.

Williams moved up to eighth after his impressive stoppage of Verno Phillips on Nov. 29, which capped a year in which he fought at welterweight, super welterweight and middleweight.

But the rankings in early 2009 could be dramatically different. Three of the top five fighters in the poll – No. 2 Joe Calzaghe, No. 4 Israel Vazquez and No. 5 Bernard Hopkins – may retire.

Calzaghe is leaning toward retirement after his Nov. 8 win over Roy Jones Jr. He said he’s going to consider his options after the holidays and will make his mind up whether to fight by February.

Calzaghe is expected to retire, which will have the domino effect of pushing Hopkins into retirement. Hopkins will be 44 in January and isn’t eager to fight just for the sake of fighting. He desperately wants a rematch with Calzaghe, but conceded there are no other attractive bouts for him on the horizon.

If Calzaghe goes, you can reasonably expect that Hopkins will soon follow.

Vazquez’s retirement may be forced by a medical condition. He had eye surgery to repair a detached retina and wants to fight again. However, he’ll follow his doctor’s advice and won’t fight if he is advised not to.

Pacquiao may also retire at the end of 2009. He’s likely to fight Ricky Hatton in the spring and may get a fall bout with former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr., if he defeats Hatton and if Mayweather, as expected, opts to return to boxing.

After fighting Mayweather, there would be little more reason for Pacquiao to fight and he, too, would likely step down.

Big changes, it seems, are on the way.

1. Manny Pacquiao

Points: 300 (30 of 30 first-place votes)
Record: 48-3-2 (37 KOs)
Title: WBC lightweight champion
Last outing: TKO8 over Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6
Previous ranking: 1
Up next: TBA
Analysis: Proved he can compete at welterweight in a stunning performance against De La Hoya

By Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports

Report: Pacquiao to be conferred doctorate degree by Cebu university

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao will be granted an honorary doctorate degree by Southwestern University in Cebu, Philboxing.com reported on Thursday.

"Your very recent achievement shows the art and science of boxing in action. Your display of prowess in the sport is worth an academic dissertation," SWU chief of staff Flaviano Manalo said in a letter addressed to Pacquiao.

According to Manalo, SWU has a special center for sports development which means the school can grant such a degree "to exemplary sportsmen like Pacquiao".

When the conferment ceremonies will take place has yet to be determined by school officials. - GMANews.TV

Glitz and Pageantry at Pacman's Birthday Bash

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Foods, drinks, VIPs and world class entertainment freely flow during the 30th birthday celebration of the country's foremost athlete and the world's number boxer Manny Pacquiao at the KCC Convention Center here that saw Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Pacquiao's number one supporter, stayed beside the birthday celebrant throughout the 4-hour festivities.

1,500 exclusively invited guests packed the city's premier convention center that was converted into a Las Vegas style arena complete with slot machines and gambling tables to celebrate with the planet's most exciting fighter where last night he was both the Joker and the King of Hearts. Pacquiao, who looked splendid in a coat and tie, was ushered in to the floor by beautiful dancers as a veritable who's who in Philippine sports, entertainment and politics, made their entrances amidst shouts from the hundreds of locals who lined up the hallway leading to the entrance.

President Arroyo, DENR secretary Lito Atienza, national security adviser Chavit Singson, promoter Bob Arum and trainer Freddie Roach, sat with Pacquiao at the presidential table located at a raised platform that was a replica of a boxing ring. Former world champion David Diaz of Chicago and reigning WBA super featherweight champion Edwin Valero of Venezuela were also present. The province's youthful governor, Miguel Domiguez, and the city's mayor, Pedro Acharon, hosted one of the most high profile event in southern Mindanao.

One of the most applauded performances of the evening was the surprise appearance of Arnel Pineda, the Filipino frontman of the legendary American rock band Journey who on its concert tour this year, performed in sellout audiences in Europe and the United States. Pineda, who performed with his old Filipino band The Zoo this night, sang three of the Journey's greatest hits, Don't Stop Believin, Open Arms and Faithfully and completely captivated the president, Pacquiao and Arum. By Dong Secuya PhilBoxing.com

Happy Birthday Pacman Enjoy Your Picture Perfect Year

As I mentioned in my last article, 2008 was a great boxing year for most fighters and for some it was like a long roller coaster ride. Sure the year had its up and downs, but for the most part 2008 was exciting, explosive, and unpredictable. Overall the year was great for boxing and to most of us it will be remembered as the year of the Pac-Man.

Pacquiao's great year began on March 15, 2008 when the Pac-Man faced his archrival, the master technician, the man that many believed had the will and skill to gobble the Pacman, Mr. Juan Manuel Marquez. This match was the rematch four years in the making, the first war between these two warriors was boxing at its very best. Not only was the technical monster Marquez able to hold Pacman to a draw, but Marquez was able to survive after being knocked down countless times and managed to live and tell about it.

After all that explosive action, we waited four long years to see them go at it again, four very long years. The rematch took place at the Jr. Lightweight 130 pound limit. The battle pretty much went back and forth with Marquez circling the Typhoon and getting in his crisp counters. In the end, the power of the Pac-Man made it hard for 2 of the judges to bet against him. Pacquiao's aggression was what sealed the deal. It took four long years, but sweet vindication had arrived.

So what would Pacquiao do for an encore? Well, three months later, Pacquiao would change his address to the Lightweight 135 pound division to challenge David Diaz. Diaz was the man that had retired Eric Morales in a very brutal war. Morales was and still is the last man to defeat Pacquiao. So would the move up in weight be too much for Pacquiao? Would Diaz who had retired the great Morales also be too much for Pacquiao? In the end, Pacquiao was just way too much for Diaz. Pacquiao went on to dominate Diaz from beginning to end. Pacquiao had soundly beaten the daylights out of Diaz knocking him out in the 9th round.

The address changing sure did not stop there, a few months after pounding Diaz, Pacquiao announced that he would jump over the 140 pound limit and challenge the man that had been the face of the sport, the Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya. The fight would take place at the 147 pound Welterweight limit. Many critics lashed out and said that the fight should not take place. The critics went on to say that Oscar was way too big for Pacquiao, many feared for the health of the last action hero that we have all grown to love. The Dream Match was pretty much seen as nothing more than a mismatch.

It pains me to say it now, but yours truly was one of the critics that viewed the fight as a huge mismatch. I honestly felt that Oscar would blast and destroy the Pac-Man. In my prediction for the fight, I would go on to just about provide the body bag for the mismatch that kept playing in my mind. This is what I had predicted for Manny.

''I dedicate this prediction to Manny Pacquiao, Manny I hope that all goes well with you, you always come to entertain us and for that I will always be a fan. Unfortunately for you, I feel that this time you may have bitten off more than you can chew. I leave you with the chorus for Lupe Fiasco’s Superstar song…. And it goes a lil something like this..''

If you are what you say you are a superstar
then have no fear
the crowd is here
and the lights are on and they want a show
oh oh oh oh yeah …

On fight night, Pacquiao toyed and destroyed Goliath and did it in such dramatic fashion. The beating was so brutal that Oscar was forced to quit in the eighth round. Not only did Pacquiao prove me wrong but he also defied the odds in a flawless performance, Pacquiao had put on a masterful show, and he did it under the brightest lights. Every single day since that great night, I have been eating crow ever since. Each day that has gone by since that great Pacquiao performance, I have felt more and more like a crow, you know what they say, you are what you eat.

No doubt about it, Pacquiao has always been a star, but the night that he won his third fight, in just as many weight classes, all in the same calendar year, will always be a very special moment. To me I will always remember 2008 as the year that Pacquiao reached Superstar status, Immortality. Today we not only would like to thank you for taking the risks and stepping up to the dangerous challenges, but we would also all like to wish you a Happy Birthday. It is your sheer unpredictable nature that makes this great sport of ours so explosive and exciting. We are all fans. Happy Three 0 Champ, may you have a wonderful day.

By: Albert Alvarez

Saksi: Pacquiao birthday party takes on Las Vegas theme

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Pacquiao-Hatton Set for May 2 in Las Vegas

Top Rank’s Bob Arum, undoubtedly the most astute promoter in the business, has a May 2 date in Las Vegas for a megabuck fight between the Philippines national treasure Manny Pacquiao and Britain ’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.

Arum who arrived in Manila on Tuesday morning told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports “right now I want to lay everything out to Manny, where in negotiations with the Hatton people and I’ll leave it at that” indicating as he always does, that the choice would be up to Pacquiao.

However, Arum disclosed the Hatton fight will be on May 2 in Las Vegas saying “it will not be in Wembley, not because Manny would be afraid to fight in England but Wembley makes no sense because we’ll have to do it at five in the morning, outdoors, where there is a ninety percent chance of rain.”

It was clear that the pay-per-view potential was a major consideration in staging the fight in Las Vegas especially after the incredible numbers generated by the Pacquiao-Oscar De La Hoya “Dream Match” last December 6.

Arum revealed that the PPV numbers “are even better than they reported” and would be “a little over 1.4 million buys.”

The Top Rank promoter said the drawing power of Pacquiao was now evident and said he believes it will “go up appreciably when he fights Hatton or Mayweather or guys like that.”

Arum also indicated he would like Pacquiao to get through the Hatton fight before going up against Mayweather saying “I want Mayweather to stay there (in retirement) until September . The longer he’s out the more rusty he’ll be.”

Arum said that Mayweather “is pretty fast” but that Pacquiao throws numerous punches but in an unorthodox way and “while Mayweather is a master boxer it will be very difficult for him to handle somebody as unorthodox as Manny is.”

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com

WBC names Pacquiao‘World Boxer of the year

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.

By Ronnie Nathanielsz, PhilBoxing.com