The Bad Left Hook 2008 Fighter of the Year: Manny Pacquiao
by Scott Christ on Dec 7, 2008 5:24 AM EST
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The race is over. If any Fighter of the Year award for 2008 goes to any fighter besides Manny Pacquiao, it's bogus. Let's recap Pacquiao's incredible 2008:
- March 15: Pacquiao beats Juan Manuel Marquez in a thrilling rematch via split decision, capturing the vacant Ring Magazine crown as junior lightweight world champion. I scored it razor-thin for Marquez, but it was a toss-up fight and a Fight of the Year candidate. The fight did phenomenal PPV numbers, coming in with around 400,000 buys, an astonishing mark for a card headlined by 130-pound boxers.
- June 28: Pacquiao moves up to 135 pounds for the first time, dismantling David Diaz and knocking him out in the ninth round. Pacquiao uses the extra five pounds well, looking stronger and even faster than ever. The world agrees David Diaz is no world-class fighter, but also not a pushover. And he was never in the fight.
- December 6: "The Dream Match" arrives, and Pacquiao makes it a nightmare for Oscar de la Hoya. Pacquiao embarrasses and humbles de la Hoya, forcing the Golden Boy to quit after eight rounds of punishment. Moving up to 147 pounds has no effect on his speed whatsoever. He is a fighting machine that has no peer in the sport, pound-for-pound.
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i know
that this is something we covered in the fight thread, but i agree and it isn’t even close. I think the real debate is this: is Manny, still not yet 30, the best boxer of this generation? (i’m trying to put together a fanpost about this right now that will look into this with more detail)
Not sure..maybe
I never thought Manny beat Marquez. Esp fight number 2
Mainstream is brought to you ..
Underground you got to go there...
Fighter of the year
Scott you cant argue with it. Period.
Pacman is fantastic.
Mainstream is brought to you ..
Underground you got to go there...
I agree
At first I was more leaning towards Lopez for fighter of the year but after Manny’s dominace last night he earns it. I would’t agree on fight of the year though because DLH did not do a damn thing. Specially when you get more than 3 10-8 rounds for not even throwing a punch.
Watching Manny Pacquiao fight live--great...
Watching Manny Pacquiao shadow boxing on the roof of an abandoned building--priceless
it's not even close to fight of the year
I’m gonna do a top 20 in a couple weeks. It won’t be on there.
"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum
by Scott Christ on Dec 7, 2008 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
I think Marquez has a case too… (even though I’d give it to pac as well)
a) I thought he won both fights against Pacquiao
b) he beat Casamayor, the linear 135 champ, rather than cherry picking the easiest belt.
c) yes its impressive that Pacquiao was able to beat a welterweight, but we all know DLH is not a force at welter and probably not even in the top 10.
It's not the size of the dog... It's whats in the fight of Bernard Hopkins! -BHOP
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