There are countless of fighters who deserve to be fighter of the year award. But as the list goes there could only be one, and among the elite pound per pound best I came up with only three candidates. I painstakingly try to see who’s who and try not to miss out on anybody who rightfully deserves the award.
So what does it take to be the fighter of the year?
There are only three things to consider, First would be the level of opposition, second would be the manner he won the fight and last would be his consistency on the pound per pound list throughout the year.
Third placer – Juan Manuel Marquez
Credible fights in 2008: Manny Pacquiao and Joel Casamayor
Assessment: Although he lost on their much awaited rematch with Manny Pacquiao but the fight could go either way it was a razor thin split decision win by Manny and Juanma can make a case out of it. His technical display against Casamayor was a testament that he wants a third match against Manny following him all the way to 135lbs. Although he deserved an honourable mention but a win against Manny could have gave him the top award. Will we see a trilogy against Manny this 2009? And what weight should they fight? Though it’s a distant possibility but we never know.
Second placer- Joe Calzaghe
Credible fights in 2008: Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr.
Assessment: Being undefeated doesn’t give you an upper hand in anything but Joe Calzaghe went to America and proved to the non believers that he is the best and went on to defeating two legends in Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. Although we might not see Joe wear his boxing gloves next year and it would have been a fitting finale on his storied career to win the fighter on the year award and top of the pound per pound list. But his manner on how he won on his two bouts wasn’t that encouraging. Scoring a split decision win against Hopkins who could go either way or failing to dispose an aging and bewildered veteran in Roy Jones Jr. Put a blot on Calzaghe’s finale fights. Should Joe fight Kelly Pavlik or Chad Dawson hands down he would have won it all.
The Fighter of the year- Manny Pacquiao
Credible fights in 2008: Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz and Oscar DelaHoya
Assessment: Henry Armstrong has fought the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight division all in one year and was crowned champion in each division it was a feat that was never duplicated until Manny Pacquiao changed history. He fought Marquez in the 130lb weight limit and escapes a split decision win, he fought David Diaz as a lightweight and scored a TKO win and scored a huge upset as a welterweight against the golden boy in boxing Oscar DelaHoya scoring another TKO on round 9 in a fight we’re everyone thought was a mismatch, it was a mismatch alright but it’s the other way around.

In behalf of Sportsalchemist.com, i congratulate Manny Pacquiao as the fighter of the year in 2008 you rightfully deserved it.
Happy Holidays everyone!

Kobe Bryant talked to Pau Gasol, trying to motivate him on the last 2-minute stretch against the visiting and defending champions, the Boston Celtics. The commercialized matchup between the best in the east and the west had to be played on Christmas Day. The game was not the finals nor the playoffs yet but the intensity was overwhelming. Players and coaches will always say it is a non-bearing game like in any ordinary season but at the back of their minds, this game was one of the most important one in the season. The Celtics were running on a 19-game winning streak and for the Lakers, a taste of redemption dating back to their 4-2 loss in the last NBA finals. Kobe told Pau to stay on the game and to always remember that he was the best player in the world…

The finesse team, so to speak, was always labelled against the Lakers. Pau was shoved, pushed and was taken advantage of his soft defense. The game was a seesaw battle right from the 1st quarter although the Lakers were leading in almost all quarters but Boston always found a way to get back at the game with the sweet shooting of Ray Allen and consistency of Kevin Garnet. The Lakers were in a different level as they showed the visiting Celtics that they were not to be pushed and they are now pushing back. Their defense was superb, diving for loose balls and fighting for screens. They were trying to make a statement, and the message was definitely clearly sent…

Boston has rallied in the fourth quarter and after Eddie House hit a long jumper, the Celtics were on the driver seat. Kobe was doubled team everytime he got the ball and after his motivating speech with Pau Gasol, Pau stepped up his game. After a long jumper, Pau went to work, slashing the basket after a Kobe pass and after KG retaliated with a long jumper of his own. Pau scored an “and one” basket against Paul Pierce but Gasol’s meaningful play was a three-point shot block against Ray Allen that led to a Trevor Ariza slam. Pau pumped up and the Lakers cruised on to win 92-83 to put an x mark against the streaking Boston team.
We might never see Pau do that in a consistent basis but having been motivated, sky is the limit for Pau… and as he put his fist on his heart, it just went to show everything is possible if you just put your heart into it.

What a Christmas win for the Lakers!

Death is inevitable and everything is a cycle.
After Manny’s 8th masterful rounds of boxing against golden boy Oscar Delahoya the undefeated Welsh man Joe Calzaghe stole the main stream as he was heard all over the world with his comments on boxing which he solely describe as a dying sport.
After winning against former champion Roy Jones Jr. which resulted in a measly PPV buys and escaping a split decision win against Bernard Hopkins with a decent PPV outing. Joe Calzaghe has proven his worth but people are picky with whom and who to watch with the economy struggling into bigger heights. Joe is an undefeated fighter in 46 fights and whose fights are mostly on his turf started to gain recognition when he beat Jeff Lacy and went on to a unification bout against Mikel Kessler. Adding two future hall of famers to his already impressive resume with the likes of Hopkins and Jones is an amazing feat but people choose to watch fighters who fights in a telephone booth, fighters who give their all and will fight toe to toe with a warrior’s mentality.
Joe at age 36 doesn’t want to end up like Oscar De La Hoya he just couldn’t see himself being battered and served as a punching bag against a smaller, younger and hungrier fighter but it also doesn’t give him the right to bash on the sport he started and earned his recognition as boxing’s great. With the emergence of Mixed Martial Arts and the promotional battles among promoters in boxing the sport is slowly loosing its luster. Boxing will never be the same again without Oscar but like Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez and Ali where we thought boxing will never be the same without them.
Boxing is one of the oldest sport in history and through thick and thin people will always support the sport they grew up and love. No Joe boxing is not dead maybe careers or your career is coming to an end but its like life and death, everything is a cycle… Legends come and go and when they do another superstar will emerge.

Mike D’ Antoni nods his head in appreciation after the Phoenix Suns scored100 plus points thrashing their opponent for their final season game and went on to become the NBA’s best record 62-20 in the 2004-05 season. Signing talented point guard Steve Nash from Dallas proved to be viable in their magnificent run to the post season.
Nash teams up with Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion and Joe Johnson giving Nash the MVP award while Amare and Shawn were named All-stars and D’Antoni was named coach of the year.
Their run and gun offense shattered during the Western conference finals facing the defensive minded Spurs. The year after that the Suns traded Johnson for Boris Diaw and acquired the services of Raja Bell and Kurt Thomas grabbing Nash second MVP award in that season.
Mike D’ Antoni got fired after Michael Collangelo decided his system doesn’t work and opt to a more organized and set play team. Shawn Marion got traded for Shaquille Oneal and lately Boris Diaw and Rajah Bell got traded for Jason Richardson. Nash was left out and at age 35 his years in playing is coming to a close. Terry Porter the Sun’s new coach knew it would take some time to embrace his system after years of run and gun.
Amare is now demanding the ball and Shaq is asking for the post. Some who work well in D’Antoni’s system is still finding their niche and although losing Diaw and Bell could leave a gap but it’s beneficial to their careers since Diaw and Bell struggled as role players playing in Terry’s system.
Jason Richardson has to fill a bigger hole but with 20 and more points per game Jason could easily fit in.
Now Nash wanted out and wanted to be in a place where he can run and do whatever he can. He could opt out on his contract next year or be traded. Many teams would want a Steve Nash on their roster.
Mike D’ Antoni met again with his former team the Sun’s run and gun era is over and little by little Mike has learned to move on… He sees Nash and he nods to him…a sign that though things will not go our way in the end everything’s gonna be ok…That’s why moving on is called an art.
Nash will just make the best out of it.

Megamanny lotto is now ongoing and with Christmas season coming into fruition will face 2009 with a bang in boxing. Who will be Manny’s next opponent? Everyone wants a crack at Manny and though there are many aspiring opponents for Pacquiao the competition is now narrowed to only three worthy opponents.
First stop…
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“Money” Mayweather has been retired after battling out with Ricky Hatton in a 10th round TKO win. His unbeaten record speaks off of his God given abilities but his greatness is always questioned ducking most fights that could ruin his undefeated streak. Everyone wanted him to fight Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto but Floyd was wise enough to avoid picking the two and instead the two welterweight giants fought in a toe to toe match with the taller Margarito crushing Cotto onward to a TKO win.
Fighting Manny Pacquiao would erase all doubts on Floyd’s hall of fame status. Speed wise both are virtually the same and between them it’s a tossed coin.
Floyd is more technical and could give Manny Pacquiao some problems. There won’t be any mismatch this time and the winner takes all the accolades. This match features both pound per pound kings with millions or billions (if we’re talking in pesos) in the making.
Ricky Hatton
Defeating Paulie Malignaggi made Hatton the king of his division with Manny going south to 140lbs. and giving up his 135lb belt in return. The inevitable clash between two great champions is unavoidable. Hatton will be an easy target for Manny as the game “hitman” from whales will never back down and will fight Manny toe to toe. Both fighters have a huge following from the Philippines and England and the clash between them serves as a treat to everyone. It would be a great fight for both of them with Hatton chasing Manny’s top pound per pound spot.
Juan Manuel Marquez
I believe Juanma is the only fighter who fits really well with Manny. He is the Lex Luther for Manny and the fights were so close to tell and could go either way. Juanma will have to move again 5lbs. heavier and at 140 Marquez could either benefit the extra poundage or will see a slow 35 year old fighter.

Like they say three is a crowd and to put it in equation Juanma will be cancelled out. Manny has more to loose fighting Marquez so that leaves Floyd and Ricky as the runner up and winner for the megaManny Lotto. Both fights could earn a surmountable amount of money and most of all are good for boxing. Logically Manny has to fight Mayweather first because if he loose to Floyd he still can fight Hatton next but if he fights Hatton and loose then he will missed the chance to fight Mayweather. So will Mayweather go back to boxing and fight Manny for one last time or will Ricky Hatton will steal the show and arranged a superbowl of boxing. Either way its good for boxing and we all look forward to it If Manny has been vocal about retiring in 2010 brace yourself for a bigger and brighter year this 2009 what a breath of fresh air boxing is better than ever.

Mixed emotions were the things I felt as I saw Oscar De La Hoya on his stool with his head slightly bent down with his eyes all puffy and welted. Don Nacho Beristain was talking to Oscar and was attempting to stop the fight with his small white towel ready for the go signal but Oscar was motionless and in deep thinking. It was like a film flashing back all his fights for the past 16 years. Oscar couldn’t believe it. His once colorful career was slowly coming to a close.
So this was how the great Julio Cesar Chavez must have felt… Back when Oscar was at his prime destroying the iconic Chavez in the eighth round, now it was like a déjà vu… but only him getting the beating.
While sitting on his stool after a brutal eighth round, the look of resignation was hideous all over Oscar’s battered face… One more round…one more round… his mind was willing but his bruised body was not. The bell rang and Oscar’s corner stopped the fight. He was brave enough to walk to Manny Pacquiao, embracing the great Filipino boxer but most of all embracing defeat with honor. There was no need to go on with the fight. He was no match for Manny’s speed and with a couple of rounds looking like a walking punching bag, Oscar knew it was time to stop.
His one-time trainor, Freddie Roach, was on the opposite corner. Oscar went to him and said, “You’re right I just don’t have it anymore…”
Oscar wanted an assurance before he left the game he truly loved. And picking the pound per pound king was the rightful heir to his legacy in boxing. It took a Manny Pacquiao for a Oscar De La Hoya’s swan song.
Manny went to Oscar and said… “No matter what, you’re still my idol”…. Oscar responded with “ No Manny you are now my idol”…
Last Saturday’s fight was a classic and one of the biggest fights in boxing with two-class act gentlemen.
I was sad to know that one of my greatest idol in boxing was leaving the sport so to say but when God closes a door, he opens a window. Oscar was ready to retire and though it was not a fitting finale for one of the greatest boxers in our generation. At least he felt secured and happy knowing he left the sport he loved in good hands.

Download now…and see the once in a lifetime feat by Pacquiao as Delahoya passed the baton to his worthy successor… It’s in high definition with only one download link…
click the image to download…

It was a rainy morning and the thick crowd was visible right from the very entrance of the restaurant who was featuring the PPV dream match between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya. I would have love to stay at home and enjoy the comfort of some chips and a beer on my hand but being with the crowd makes you feel excited and the endless chitchat with strangers is irreplaceable.

The supposed mismatch was a mismatch after all but on the wrong side of the stick. Manny Pacquiao dominated and bewildered the aging Golden boy of boxing in an almost perfect fight. Oscar looked like his age as Manny showered him with barraged of punches from all angles moving side to side neutralizing Oscar’s jabs and hooks.
It was a one sided match with Manny’s speed and power continuing to find it’s range on Oscar’s already grotesque face peppered with heavy body shots.
It was a perfect shutout as Oscar was on the verged of resignation while still in round three.
Valero’s squeal
Before the dream match up Valero squealed saying he was the one who cause Oscar the blackeye while serving as a sparring mate with Oscar during his training in Big bear. The Slow but powerful Valero gave Oscar a beating and was sent home after their initial sparring session. Valero notice something in Oscar. He said that Oscar doesn’t like to run and train and when he saw Manny’s training he knew Oscar doesn’t have a chance against the reigning pound per pound king.
The validation was evident on fight night although I gave my hats off to Oscar because he is not a sour loser the fight was like the passing of the baton one good man to another.
Oscar’s time was just up and Manny was just simply too good that night. Oscar sat on his stool on the seventh round he was spent but decided to go for another round and his wobbled legs continued to deny him of coming up a last second surge. His corner men did the right thing in stopping the fight after round 8. Oscar needs to preserve his legendary status and a knockout loss could taint his name especially with a smaller and shorter guy in Pacquiao.
Manny was vocal in saying Oscar is still my idol… and Oscar responded “no you are now my idol”. Oscar has made boxing what it is now and he would be forever be in the likes of Ali, Sugar Ray and other boxing legends. He has nothing to prove and I think we might see the last of him as a fighter. It’s his time to enjoy his family and continue to create great boxing matches as a promoter while Manny has just solidified his hold as boxing’s top pound per pound fighter.
As of me I never tasted the restaurant’s buffet offer since the food was over in just minutes like a carcass thrown in a body of water full of piranhas as I gulped on some leftover icedtea. It kinda miss my good old home eating delicious home made pancakes with chips and beer. But I cant complain since its all worth it. Like a dream its all good to be true until you wake up and reality sinks in but nah.. lets just savor Manny’s victory! Cheers!

The final episode of the 4 part HBO 24/7 featuring Oscar Dela Hoya and Manny Pacquiao on their dream matchup this coming Saturday. Watch as the drama enfolds onward to boxing’s biggest fight of the year… Click the image to download

Old saying goes your head is place on top of your heart so that in every decision you put more weight on what your head says rather than what your heart dictates.

Statistically Oscar DeLahoya overshadowed Manny Pacquiao in almost all aspect he is the taller, bigger and technically sound fighter compared to Manny’s small frame and who went up two divisions higher to face Oscar in what we called the dream match.
Since the official statement I have been writing a lot about this matchup. I tried covering all angles going into the fight. The solid as stone chin of Oscar is a verification of his strong foundation with almost all his fights are on the 135 and above weight so it’s pretty clear he can take a punch from the bigger boys and surely can take a punch from the 5’6 tall who once campaign in the 106lb. division Manny Pacquiao.
Can speed and power level the fight?
I do think Manny’s only chance is his speed and power. With Oscar defying father time his reflexes and stamina is suspect coming into the fight not to mention Oscar is on a strict diet trying to fit his body to a 147lb frame a feat he used to do with ease 7 years ago. His fight with the smaller and light punching Stevie Forbes was an indication of Oscar’s diminishing stamina and power. Freddie Roach knows that pretty well having served as Oscar’s corner during their monumental fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Nobody can beat Oscar at his prime and Manny doesn’t stand a meager chance in defeating him but Oscar at age 35 is very beatable especially with Manny who is the current no.1 pound per pound king.
My Fearless Forecast
On paper Oscar wins in a wide margin and betting wise Oscar is the much conducive fighter. In reality you always go for the bigger fighter but this time I’d go for Manny by 5 rounds. This time I go with what my heart says… words from Mr. Magorium…
“You are like an occasion… rise to it”