BWAA: Pacquiao is best of the decade

MANNY Pacquiao earned another distinction after the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him the Fighter of the Decade.

The 31-year-old Pacquiao was also named the Fighter of the Year for 2009—his third award. He beat Vitali Klitschko, Andre Ward, Paul Williams and Arthur Abraham.

Last year, Pacquiao tied and eventually surpassed the record held by Oscar de la Hoya as the boxer with most world titles in different weight divisions, by winning his seventh last year.

Click here for stories and updates on the Sinulog 2010 Festival.

Pacquiao won his sixth world title with a second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton last year and added his seventh with a win over Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao, who was also got the Best Fighter award from The Ring Magazine and ESPN.com, is now tied with all-time greats Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard and Evander Holyfield for the most BWAA “Fighter of the Year” honors.

His next fight will be on March 13 against Joshua Clottey for his first defense of his 147-poumd title.

Other fighters considered for the Fighter of the Decade title were superstars Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera because of his remarkable achievement in the past 10 years.

Pacquiao grabbed six of his seven division world titles in the past decade, starting with his sixth-round technical knockout over Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in 2001.

He had an amazing run —with 24 wins and one loss and two draws.