Expect an exciting 2009 final bout for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – A stern warning to all would be Manny Pacquiao opponents – you’ve ain’t seen yet the best of the world’s pound-for-pound king. “Boxing fans will see a more exciting Manny Pacquiao every round, every minute and every second I fight on top of the ring," said the Filipino ring icon in his acceptance speech during the Boxing Writers Association of American (BWAA) dinner awards night at the Capitale in New York. The 30-year old Pacquiao was honored by the group as the 2008 Fighter of the Year, his second in three years after being given with the same award in 2006. He mentioned his family and the Filipino nation as the one which inspired him to do his best in every fight. Pacquiao was named Fighter of the Year for his spectacular victories over Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz and the great Oscar De La Hoya. His trainer Freddie Roach was also the unanimous choice as 2008 Trainer of the Year. “It gets better every time," said Roach in receiving his third Trainer of the Year accolade. “Manny Pacquiao really is the best student in the world and we have a good relationship so I am honored to be around a guy like him," added the soft-spoken Hall of Fame trainer. BWAA president Jack Hirsch personally awarded the plaque to both Pacquiao and Roach. Hirsch also hinted that the Filipino boxing icon is again a strong candidate for the award in the wake of his sensational second round technical knockout of Briton Ricky Hatton last month in Las Vegas. Pacquiao is set to return to the ring late in October, with Marquez, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Miguel Cotto and Sugar Shane Mosley as among the names being floated as his next possible opponent. – GMANews.TV