Pacman and Coach Roach honored by Boxing Writers’ Association of America (BWAA)!

Pacman's beltsManny “Pacman” Pacquiao was honored as the Fighter of the Decade (2000-2009) by the Boxing Writers’ Association of America (BWAA), and also matched boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield by winning his third Sugar Ray Robinson trophy for the Fighter of the Year award (2009, 2008, and 2006).

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO's), whose first world title came at flyweight (112 lbs), scored a sensational second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton on May 2 to win the World Junior Welterweight (140 lbs) championship, and capped off a remarkable decade by stopping Welterweight (147 lbs) Miguel Cotto in the final round in November to win a title in a record-setting seventh weight division. He will return to the ring on March 13th when he defends his WBO belt against Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

In addition to being named 2009 Fighter of the Year by ESPN.com and Ring Magazine, Pacquiao won his third Sugar Ray Robinson trophy in the past four years during balloting by the BWAA membership, edging out nominees Vitali Klitschko, Andre Ward, Paul Williams and Arthur Abraham. He heads the list of honorees who will be invited to receive their awards on June 11 in New York at the BWAA's 85th annual banquet.

Furthermore, Pacquiao was also voted Fighter of the Decade by beating out a star-studded group of nominees that also included Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Marco Antonio Barrera. He won this on the strength of his dominating performance this past decade; wherein he went 24-1-2 and won six of his seven World Titles, while emerging as boxing’s Pound-for-Pound king and a box office sensation.

Coach Freddie Roach , who has trained Pacquiao since 2001 and been an integral part of his success, will receive the Futch award for Trainer of the Year for the fourth time (2009, 2008, 2006, and 2003). Futch trained Roach during his fighting career before taking him under his wing as an assistant trainer.

"Manny and I are a great team and to win this award you need a great fighter," Roach said.

Other awards:
Lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and former titlist Juan Diaz will share the Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier award for Fight of the Year.

The John F.X. Condon award for long and meritorious service was given to Jerry Izenberg, who covered boxing and other sports for decades at The Star Ledger in Newark, New Jersey.

Former three-division champion Alexis Arguello was honored posthumously with the Marvin Kohn Award, given to an individual who exemplifies goodwill. The Hall of Famer who eventually became mayor of Managua, Nicaragua, died in July at age 57.

ESPN broadcaster Joe Tessitore won the Sam Taub Award for broadcasting excellence, and Showtime broadcaster Nick Charles and former heavyweight contender George Chuvalo shared the Bill Crawford Award for perseverance in overcoming adversity.