Boxing Writers Association of America gives good awards

The Boxing Writers Association of America has selected super featherweight Manny Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach and the breathtaking brawl between Somsak Sithchatchawal and Mahyar Monshipour as its best of 2006. They will be honored at the 82nd annual BWAA Awards Dinner on June 8 in New York.

Pacquiao will receive the Edward J. Neil Trophy as fighter of the year for going 3-0, including two knockout victories over Erik Morales, in 2006.

Roach, who was in Pacquiao’s corner for all three fights and also worked with James Toney, Peter Manfredo Jr., Robert Guerrero and Neil Trophy nominee Israel Vazquez, was chosen for his second Futch-Condon Award as trainer of the year. He won his first Futch-Condon award in 2003. He’ll be overseeing Oscar De La Hoya in his May 5 match with Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Roach has said that he considers his reputation on the line with that assignment.

The mind-blowing bout between Sithchatchawal and Monshipour on March 18 in France became a cult classic among boxing fans thanks to internet video site YouTube. ESPN.com columnist Dan Rafael called it “raw, unvarnished, jaw-dropping brutality,” writing the bout featured “more head-snapping uppercuts landed than in all six ‘Rocky’ movies put together.” Sithchatchawal stopped Monshipour in the 10th round.

Longtime HBO analyst Larry Merchant will be given the James J. Walker Award for long and meritorious service. The straight-shooting commentator is a former columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and New York Post, and his broadcast contributions were recognized by the BWAA in 1985.

Top Rank public relations tandem Lee Samuels and Ricardo Jimenez will share the Marvin Kohn Good Guy Award. Samuels and Jimenez combine to form one of the most efficient publicity departments in boxing.

Steve Albert, in his 20th year calling fights with Showtime, will receive the Sam Taub Award for excellence in broadcast journalism. He previously worked for ESPN and SportsChannel and has handled NBA play-by-play for over two decades.

Muhammad Ali will be honored with the Pat Putnam Award for Perseverance. The legendary heavyweight went toe-to-toe with the political establishment in the turbulent 1960s, changing his name from Cassius Clay and refusing induction into the army. Ali’s recent years have been spent coping with Parkinson’s syndrome, but his indefatigable charisma has only solidified his status as one of the most inspirational athletes ever.