'Smokin' Joe Frazier to hand award to Pacquiao

06/02/2010 - MANILA, Philippines – Legendary boxer and former world heavyweight champion “Smokin” Joe Frazier will present the prestigious “Fighter of the Year” award to pound-for-pound king and “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao on Friday in New York (Saturday in Manila).

According to a report by PhilBoxing.com’s Ronnie Nathanielsz, Frazier, known for his historic clashes with Muhammad Ali in the 1970’s, will attend the 85th Annual Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) awards night to personally hand the “Sugar Ray Robinson Fighter of the Year Award” to Pacquiao.

BWAA president Jack Hirsh said Frazier himself received the same honor 38 years ago for defeating Ali in 1971.

“Smokin’” Joe knocked down of Ali in the 15th round of their fight to secure a unanimous decision against the boxer known as “The Greatest”. Ali beat him in their next fights in 1974 and in their memorable “Thrilla in Manila“ in the Philippines in 1975.

Excited Pacquiao

Pacquiao, meanwhile, could not contain his excitement over being feted with 2 coveted awards from the

BWAA.

The 7-division world champion arrived in New York aboard a Cathay Pacific flight from the Philippines via Hong Kong. He was accompanied by his wife, Jinkee, and their children.

Aside from the Fighter of the Year award, “The People’s Champ” is also set to receive the prestigious Fighter of the Decade Award.

“Excited na ako para makuha ‘yun,” Manny told ABS-CBN North America News Bureau.

Jinkee added: “We're happy na and proud na kasi tatanggap na naman uli siya ng award.”

Pacquiao’s esteemed coach, Freddie Roach, will also receive the Trainer of the Year Award while Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz will get the Fight of the Year Award.

The BWAA awarding ceremony will take place at the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, New York.

No word yet on Mayweather clash

Pacquiao also reacted to rumors that his much-awaited fight with American Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has already been forged. The fight has allegedly been set on November 13.

The fight is rumored to be taking place either at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas or MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Hindi pa alam, wala pa,” stated Manny.


Miguel Cotto

Cotto rematch?

Pacquiao, recently elected as Sarangani congressman, will also watch the fight of his erstwhile foe Miguel Cotto, who will be facing Yuri Foreman on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Yankee Stadium in New York.

There were reports that if the Mayweather-Pacquiao does not push through, the Filipino will face whoever wins in the Cotto-Foreman.

John O’Connor, a fan from St. Petersburg, Florida, reacted to the rumor: “I'll deal with that but I'd rather see him and Mayweather go at it you know, everybody's talking about it, the whole country is talking about it.”

After the Cotto-Foreman match, Pacquiao plans to tour his family in the US before eventually plunging to legislative work starting June 30 (ABS - CBN News)