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MANILA, Philippines – Even while locked up in jail, Floyd Mayweather Jr. dealt another blow to Manny Pacquiao when he was voted Fighter of the Year at the ESPY Sports Awards on Wednesday, July 11.
Mayweather Jr., currently serving a three-month sentence for domestic battery, has now won the award four times in the last six years (2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012), while Pacman took the prize home in 2009 and 2011.
“I am very grateful for my fans and all of the continued support. Your letters and pictures are helping my time go by. Thank you to all the fans who voted and helped me win at tonight’s #ESPYs,” the undefeated American boxer said on his Twitter account.
Mayweather Jr. secured this moral victory over Pacquiao two months after Ring Magazine, considered the Bible of the sport, acknowledged he had toppled the Filipino as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, even before Pacman lost the welterweight world title to Tim Bradley in June. (Read: Mayweather overtakes Pacquiao as best fighter?)
Two weeks ago, Mayweather Jr. was also crowned as the highest paid athlete –with a two-fight income of $85– by Forbes magazine (Read: Mayweather, Pacquiao top athlete income list)
After his shock loss to Bradley, Manny Pacquiao is currently on vacation in Europe before he returns to his job as a congressman and starts training for his November 11 planned fight against a yet undecided rival. (Read: Silence in the land of Pacquiao)
Miami Heat star LeBron James won three ESPYs, including best male athlete for his decisive role in his team’s NBA championship victory, while Brittney Griner took the female prize for leading the Baylor University Bears basketball team to a national championship in their 40-0 season.
Heat coach Filipino-American Erik Spoelstra was nominated but failed to win the ESPY for best manager, which went to Superbowl champion Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants football team.
FC Barcelona’s Leo Messi was recognized as the best international sportsman after the Argentine striker scoring a record 50 goals in the Spanish football league, and New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin was given the trophy for best breakthrough athlete. – Rappler.com
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