The
ballots have all been counted. The 2008 award winners as
determined by the members of the "Boxing Writers
Association of America" are as follows:
For
the second time, Manny Pacquiao has been voted the BWAA's
Edward J. Neil award for "Fighter of the Year." Pacquiao
also won it in 2006.
Joining
Pacquiao in the winner's circle is his trainer Freddie
Roach, who took home the Futch-Condon award for "Trainer
of the Year." Roach previously won this award in both 2003
and 2006.
Joe
Calzaghe was runner-up to Pacquiao in "Fighter of the
Year" honors, but did not end up empty-handed. The
Welshman who retired undefeated earlier this year won the
Al Buck award for "Manager of the Year." Calzaghe's
victory is not without precedent. Two other self-managed
world champions have had this honor bestowed upon them:
George Foreman in 1994 and Bernard Hopkins in 2004.
ShoBox
commentator Steve Farhood won the prestigious Walker Award
for "Long and Meritorious Service." For Farhood this is
the second major award he has won. In 2002 he was voted
the Sam Taub Award for "Excellence in Broadcast
Journalism."
This
year's Taub recipient is HBO's Harold Lederman. Lederman,
known as boxing's unofficial judge, was a 2005 award
winner in the "Good Guy" category.
The
"Good Guy" Award, named after Marvin Kohn, will be
bestowed upon Alan Hopper of Don King Productions.
The
closest race was for the Crawford Award, awarded for
"perseverance in overcoming adversity." It was a tie
between world renowned journalist George Kimball and
former world champion Genaro Hernandez. Both will be
honored.
The
"Fight of the Year" was the rubber-match barnburner
between Israel Vazquez and Raul Marquez. It was 12 rounds
of sustained fury in which Vazquez won a close decision.
Various
writing awards will make up the rest of the program.
The 84th Boxing
Writers Association of America's annual awards dinner will
be held June 12, 2009 at the Capitale located at 130
Bowery, New York City, N.Y. Additional information such as
price and hotel availability, will be made known in the
coming weeks. Remember to check the
bwaa.org on the Web for the latest BWAA announcements
and updates.
Jack Hirsch, BWAA
President
