Pacquiao tops Sports Illustrated's boxing story for 2010
Posted at 12/25/2010
MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao’s exploits in the world of boxing was picked by Sports Illustrated as their top boxing story for 2010.Columnist Bryan Armen Graham, who compiled Sports Illustrated’s Top 10 boxing stories for 2010, said the Filipino boxing hero has penetrated the American sporting mainstream “like no Asian-born athlete in history”.
“He's won major sanctioning-body titles in eight different weight classes, nearly half of the sport's 17 divisions. He was the subject of a 60 Minutes profile in November, less than 12 months after being named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people,” Graham said.
Graham also cited Pacquiao’s success in politics, having been elected as the lone representative of Sarangani province.
Last March, Pacquiao defended his world Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title by outpunching the defense-conscious Joshua Clottey. This was followed by his 12-round demolition of Antonio Margarito last November.
Graham has branded 2010 as “the year of Pacquiao.”
Also selected by Sports Illustrated as Top 10 boxing story of the year is the breakdown of the fight negotiations between the camps of Pacquiao and undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.“The much-anticipated showdown between Mayweather and Pacquiao nearly came together twice in 2010. But it rapidly came apart over Mayweather's demand that Pacquiao submit to a blood test up until the day before the fight -- and Pacquiao's refusal to acquiesce,” said Graham.
The boxing columnist said the much awaited Pacquiao-Mayweather fight has become an obligation needed to quench every fight fan’s thirst.
“It wouldn't just be a showdown between the sport's two best pound-for-pound fighters, it'd be the most delicious clash of styles boxing fans have seen in ages: Pacquiao's oppressive, offensive force against Mayweather, the foremost defensive tactician of our generation,” said Graham.
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