Ring Magazine and USA Today Pick Manny Pacquiao As 'Fighter Of The Year'

Prestigious Ring Magazine and USA Today have chosen Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao as "Fighter of the Year."

First to pick Pacquiao as "Fighter of the Year" is USA Today. In his article, Bob Velin said while some boxing writers went along with Sergio Martinez for his victories over Kelly Pavlik and Paul Williams, the the choice favors the reigning pound-for-pound king over Martinez.

"Pacquiao was elected to congress in his native Philippines in May, and amid endless distractions, the world's top pound-for-pound fighter fought twice at Cowboys Stadium before close to 100,000 fans. He nearly shutout two of the toughest fighters around in Joshua Clottey and Margarito, giving up five inches and 17 pounds to Margarito," Velin wrote.

"For excelling while serving his people on two continents, Pacquiao is USA Today's fighter of the year. His next fight will be May 7 in Las Vegas against an aging "Sugar" Shane Mosley in a welterweight matchup. Not exactly Pacquiao-Mayweather," Velin added.

Boxing's most prestigious Ring Magazine, likewise gave the "Fighter of the Year Award" to Manny Pacquiao for his twin victories during the year and for his other accomplishments.

"We’re in the era of Manny Pacquiao, though. The world’s greatest fighter is so popular—particularly among his passionate countrymen—that we knew with certainty that he would be the runaway winner of the award. Facts be damned," Ring's Michael Rosenthal wrote.

"We love to watch Pacquiao fight, regardless of the opponent. Pacquiao was never in danger of losing to Margarito, for example, but we were in awe of what we saw in the ring nevertheless. This is what Pacquiao gives us fight after fight after fight, which is why he has become a worldwide icon," Rosenthal added.

Ring Magazine and USA Today have used the Pacquiao's fight with Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito as major reference points in their choice of Pacquiao as the year's "Fighter of the Year."