“BARNEYS” PHOTO WINNERS ANNOUNCED

They say a picture says a thousand words. But a great sports photograph is capable of saying so much more than that.

The winners of the Boxing Writers Association of American annual photography contest for 2008, an adjunct to the BWAA’s “Barneys” writing contest, cover the gamut of emotions in boxing: pain, exultation, apprehension. They’re all there, captured for posterity by the click of a camera.

The top two winners are Top Rank photographer’s Chris Farina and Ringside Photos’ Marty Rosengarten, who will recognized along with other honorees at the 84th annual BWAA Awards Dinner on June 12 at The Capitale in New York City.

Farina took first place in the Action Photo category for his shot of Manny Pacquiao landing an overhand left to the jaw of Juan Manuel Marquez, which resulted in Marquez being knocked down near the end of the third round and a shower of sweat and water rising from Marquez’ head like a wet crown. Pacquiao went on to score a split-decision victory.

Rosengarten led the field in the Feature Photo category for his photo of a jubilant Deandre Latimore bounding for joy after his seventh-round technical knockout of Sechew Powell.

Also placing in the Action Photo category are Edward Lea, of The Press of Atlantic City, who came in second for his shot of Antonio Margarito landing a left to the face of Kermit Cintron, and Ray Bailey, who took third for his shot of Bernard Hopkins’ seeming stranglehold on referee Benjy Esteves Jr. as he spins away from Kelly Pavlik.

Second place in the Feature Photo category went to Chris Cozzone, shooting for FightNews.com and FightwireImages, for a his shot of a worried-looking Oscar De La Hoya as he’s attended to in his corner during his bout with Manny Pacquiao. Taking third place is Ed Mulholland, of FightWireImages.com, whose straight-on look at the battered face of Gary Stark Jr. depicts just how tough boxing can be, even for the winners. Stark’s right eye is closed, but he was awarded a 10-round, unanimous decision over Andres Ledesma.

A record number of entries were received for the photo contest, as was the case in the writing contest.

The judges were Philadelphia Daily News photo editor Michael Mercanti and staff photographer David Maialetti.