The Bad Left Hook 2008 Fighter of the Year: Manny Pacquiao

by SC on Dec 7, 2008 5:24 AM EST in Etc. Comment 10 comments

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.

The most likely fight now for Pacquiao is a shot at Ricky Hatton and the junior welterweight championship of the world, a fight that will do bonzo business the world over. I figure it'll land in Vegas, even though they could do a huge gate somewhere in England, maybe even Wembley Stadium.

But don't yet count out ol' Money Mayweather smelling the allure of the cash register. I think it's more likely for late 2009, if ever, but you never know.

One thing is for certain: Manny Pacquiao is the best boxer in the world, and nobody has a case against him as the Fighter of the Year. End of story.

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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)

by thebitb on Dec 7, 2008 5:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not sure..maybe

I never thought Manny beat Marquez. Esp fight number 2

Mainstream is brought to you ..
Underground you got to go there...

by dinkman on Dec 7, 2008 9:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

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...

by dinkman on Dec 7, 2008 9:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

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

by CRAZEDANG1280 on Dec 7, 2008 11:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

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

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Bad Left Hook

by SC on Dec 7, 2008 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Track down a copy of Froch-Pascal before you put that list together...

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Dec 7, 2008 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I plan on it

"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum

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by SC on Dec 7, 2008 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's got my vote for sure

Easy

by Option27 on Dec 7, 2008 11:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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

by blackpage on Dec 8, 2008 1:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

a) I thought he won both fights against Pacquiao

Yeah, but he didn’t. I mean the result matters, especially since we’re not talking about some clear as day, Santa Cruz-over-Casamayor issue with judging. It was a very close fight.

"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum

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Bad Left Hook

by SC on Dec 8, 2008 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs