[ad_1]
The all-time great eight-weight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao finally received his World Boxing News Fighter of the Year Award for 2019 after a delay.
WBN sent the trophy to the Philippine senator in February. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 41-year-old was unable to pick it up.
Now, months later, Pacquiao is proud to receive the accolade he won for a stellar year in 2019.
Triumphs over Adrien Broner in January, followed by a dethronement of Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in July, meant that Pacquiao was one of the top nominations.
Regaining the WBA welterweight title, Pacquiao worked his way back into the top five of the WBN Pound for Pound rankings.
Acting alongside Canelo, Juan Estrada and Deontay Wilder. Also, Anthony Joshua, Errol Spence Jr. and Naoya Inoue, Pacquiao absolutely dominated the voting process.
Pacquiao claimed 86% of the nearly TWENTY THOUSAND votes cast. A record amount. Fans chose the 41-year-old as the unanimous winner during the holiday period last year.
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ”
We must come and work together, we will rise. #MagkaisaTayo 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/UYax643wzu– Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) November 20, 2020
It is a testament to the generous character of Manny Pacquiao that he was able to take time out to help relief efforts in his home country to pose with the WBN award.
Currently, the Philippines is in a state of danger following the disasters of Super Typhoon Goni (Rolly) and Typhoon Vamco (Ulysses). The events have devastated many parts of Pacquiao’s homeland.
As always, Pacquiao is a big part of the relief effort. Recently, he donated the entire portion of a broadcast agreement with Globe to the relief fund.
The award that finally lands in Pacquiao’s hands comes just in time for the next round of voting to be announced in a month.
A short list of boxers who excelled in 2020 will be published after Canelo Álvarez’s fight weekend on December 21.
Fighters who can already look forward to a spot in the lineup include Teofimo Lopez, Terence Crawford and Tyson Fury.
Several other names will join the trio when elections begin for four weeks.
MANNY PACQUIAO in 2021
Obviously without a fight in 2020 due to the current crisis around the world, Manny Pacquiao is currently working on his next fight.
Terence Crawford appears to be the most likely candidate for a world title unification showdown. There is also an exhibition featuring UFC star Conor McGregor in the works.
First of all, McGregor will fight in the Octagon in January. This leaves Pacquiao as a window of opportunity for his usual April date. Crawford would be a massive battle for the spring if both parties agreed.
By the latter part of 2021, McGregor would come into play.
WBN would like to thank Manny Pacquiao for taking the time to accept the award and offering our hope that the Philippines will quickly recover from the current situation.
Thank you, senator.
Phil Jay is the editor of WBN. Auxiliary member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay.
[ad_2]
