Manny Pacquiao named fighter of the year by US writers

Five-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao has been named fighter of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Philippines star Pacquiao’s year featured a spectacular second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton and a brutal 12th-round stoppage of Miguel Cotto.

“Tonight I overflow with joy and gratitude. I am thankful that I decided to get into boxing,” said Pacquiao. His coach Freddie Roach was named trainer of the year.

It was the fourth time Roach, who also trains British boxer Amir Khan, had won the award. Pacquiao was picking up the boxer of the year title for the third time.

“I confronted poverty by trusting God and dreaming big,” said Pacquiao, a newly elected congressman in the Philippines.

Ana Julaton Vs. Lisa Brown On March 27 For WBA Title

by David A. Avila, The Sweet Science

Two-time world champion Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton has agreed to venture north of the border to meet four-time world champion Lisa “Bad News” Brown for the vacant WBA junior featherweight title.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Brown.

Canada’s Brown (16-4-3) has always wanted the WBA belt and so does Northern California’s Julaton (6-1-1). Both will meet on Saturday March 27 at Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada. It’s a home town fight for the Canadian.

“It’s definitely harder,” said Brown of fighting in front of hometown fans. “I like being the underdog with everybody cheering against me.”

That’s what Julaton can expect.

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Donaire retained WBA boxing championships

Filipino-American boxing sensation Nonito Donaire retained the World Boxing Association interim super flyweight championship battering Manuel Vargas of Mexico in a 3rd knockout at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A left uppercut by Donaire sent Vargas flat on his back at 1:33 of the third of their scheduled 12-round bout counted out by referee Joe Cortez.

“He (Vargas) could not back me up so the last round I tried to figure him out much easier. My corner told me to relax because I was stiff though I felt I was the bigger guy,” said Donaire.

After moving from side to side and throwing right straights, Donaire threw the bomb that ended the bout. The 27-year-old Donaire, who improved to 23-1 with 15 knockouts, is being lined up for several marquee fights within the year by American promoter Bob Arum. “I’m a fighter and I’m here to fight. That’s what I came for. I will just listen to my guys and see what happens,” said Donaire.

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NPR Radio: Pacquiao Gives Filipinos Reason To Cheer

by Frank Deford, NPR Radio

Already, there are those experts debating whether he is the greatest fighter ever — better than Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali — better at his craft than anyone who ever has laced on a pair of gloves. And at a time when boxing has descended so in popularity, Pacquiao has come to mean almost as much to his sport as to his country-people.

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Pacquiao Watch: Billionaires converge to secure the big fight for Dallas

Scott Heritage, Examiner.com

Dallas Mavericks owner and fellow billionaire Mark Cuban has thrown his support behind Dallas as the host city for the event. Cuban is no stranger to Mayweather either, having apparently befriended him during Floyd’s tenure on Dancing with the stars.  Read Full Story >>>

Boxer Ana Julaton is making championship belt work for her belt

by Carl Steward, SJ Mercury

As a Filipino-American, she is active in Philippine typhoon relief. She is involved in campaigns against domestic violence. Perhaps more than anything, she views herself as a role model for young female athletes — specifically boxers — and continues to work with youths as an instructor at WestWind’s martial arts schools in Alameda and Berkeley — where she also trains. Read Full Story>>>.