Manny Pacquiao Exclusion in SI's Sportsman of the Year Nomination Criticized
Sports Illustrated (SI), America's prestigious sports magazine, has been criticized by some sports enthusiasts for failing to recognize Manny Pacquiao's achievements in sports during the past two years.
The leading American sports magazine chose American footballer and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees as the 57th recipient of the magazine's 2010 Sportsman of the Year.
However, several boxing pundits cried foul when SI failed to even include 8-division boxing champion and Filipino Congressman Manny Pacquiao among the nominees. Pacquiao was nominated for the same award last year but lost out to American baseball star Derek Jeter.
While it is true that Drew Brees deserved the prestigious award, boxing fans are disappointed with the magazine's failure to even nominate Pacquiao for his 13 fight winning streak and for his achievement as the only boxer in the world who won seven times in as many weight classes after beating Mexican Antonio Margarito last November 13.
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Digital Journal's Kenneth Ragpala wrote in his article: "Australia-based boxing promoter and former amateur boxing champion Peter Maniatis mirrors the same line of thought. "l think Pacquiao should have at least be nominated for the award," the award-winning promoter told this writer through online correspondence".
Current WBF intercontinental middleweight champion Hector Camacho, Jr. felt that SI's decision is weird since Pacquiao meets the the publication's criteria for the said award - an "athlete or team whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement." "Pacquiao is now the face of boxing and he is a household name," Camacho said. "Pacquiao should have been at least nominated.'
Rick Rockwell of Examiner.com cited at least five reasons why Manny Pacquiao should have been nominated and won the award.
#5 - Just look at how Manny Pacquiao handled the entire public smear campaign by the criminal organization known as the Mayweathers. Manny could have fought fire with fire but instead he handled it with grace and class.
#4 - Look at the respect that Manny showed his opponents in and out of the ring. Despite, their attempts to defeat him in and out of the ring, Manny still showed respect for Clottey and Margarito.
#3 - Manny Pacquiao cares about his fans. He has constantly and consistently talked about putting on a good fight for the fans, not wanting to let the fans down, and fighting for their entertainment. He shows more love for his fans than most world renown athletes.
#2 - While some athletes occasionally do community service or some charity work, Manny showed what true commitment to serving others is all about. He went out and ran for a congressional seat for the 2nd time. He's boxing's only fighting congressman who desires to help his fellow countrymen.
#1 - Manny continuously humbles himself and dedicates his fortune to God. There are other athletes who share in this commitment, like the previously mentioned Kurt Warner, but nobody has the complete resume that Manny has when it comes to being a sportsman.
Sports Illustrated has given Manny Pacquiao at least two major awards in the last three years. In 2009, Pacquiao got the "Fighter of the Year" award while in 2008, he was given the "Boxer of the Year" award.
Boxing critics say Dew Brees may have been truly deserving of the award but they expressed dismay over SI"s failure to at least nominate Pacquiao for his latest accomplishments.
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