BWAA AWARDS
photos copyright © 2009 by Marty Rosengarten/RingsidePhotos.com
A NIGHT OF STARS
Pacquiao is Fighter of Year for 2008
Calzaghe Honored as Best Manager
Roach Named Year's Top Trainer
Vazquez - Marquez III Voted #1 Fight
Other winners: Farhood, Hernandez, Lederman, Kimball, Hopper
Writing: Frauenheim Wins Fleischer Award; Gardner, Merchant, Lardner Named Liebling Recipients
by Jack Hirsch
NEW YORK (June 12, 2009) -- If boxing could have just one night a year, this would be it. That was the consensus of the crowd leaving the Capitale in New York, following the 84th edition of the Boxing Writers Association of America's annual awards dinner. Perhaps we should just call it the Academy Awards of boxing and leave it at that.
The affair was highlighted by the arrival of Manny Pacquiao, who came all the way from the Philippines to receive his 2008 "Fighter of the Year" award. In the days leading up to the dinner, there were reports that Pacquiao would not be travelling to New York for the event, but the bottom line is: he did. Pacquiao delivered an eloquent speech, thanking the BWAA and those closest to him. His promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao had a great time. It was Pacquiao's second BWAA "Fighter of the Year" award, and he just might be on the way to a third, judging by his sensational 2009 stoppage of Ricky Hatton.
Pacquiao was not the only one to rack up frequent flyer miles. Joe Calzaghe finished runner-up to Pacquiao in the "Fighter of the Year" category but broke through to win his first BWAA award as "Manager of the Year." Calzaghe, who retired as one of the few unbeaten champions in boxing history, was recognized for the way he handled his own career this past year. New York will always have a special place in the heart of Super Joe. Last November, he closed out his career at Madison Square Garden by defeating Roy Jones, then within a year followed that up by winning a major BWAA award.
Both contestants of the BWAA's "Fight of the Year" would have been on hand if not for a car accident that Rafael Marquez was involved in on the way to the airport to attend the affair. Marquez's car rolled over, but fortunately he was not injured. His opponent Israel Vasquez was on hand -- not that getting to the BWAA function was a piece of cake for Vasquez, either. His flight was cancelled, and the airline he was booked with put him up at an airport hotel for a night as he figured out the best way to reconnect to New York. It took a great effort on Vasquez's part to attend. The BWAA appreciates his efforts.
BWAA "Trainer of the Year" Freddie Roach has been getting a lot of notice for his work with Manny Pacquiao. That was reflected more than ever on this evening. HBO's award winning show "Real Sports" was on hand to film a segment on Roach for an upcoming show. "Real Sports" wasn't alone. Several Philippine stations covered the dinner -- confirming just how much Pacquiao's award meant to his country. Additionally, "Go Fight Live" streamed a live webcast of the entire dinner. A replay can be viewed at GoFightLive.com.
Earlier this year it would have been unthinkable to expect Genaro Hernandez to be in attendance to receive the Crawford award for "Courage and Perseverance" Overcoming Adversity. It might have been unthinkable to expect him to be anywhere. Hernandez has a rare form of cancer, but that did not stop the former world champion from flying from California to New York to receive his award. The co-winner of the Crawford award was George Kimball, who also served as the BWAA's chairman of the committee that selected Liebling winners. Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Captain Thomas Hudner presented Hernandez and Kimball their awards.
Essentially, the "Liebling" Awards honor outstanding boxing journalism of writers from a bygone era. Honored this year were Larry Merchant, Leonard Gardner, and John Lardner. For Merchant this weekend was the highlight of his career. Two days later he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota. Lardner was the only deceased member honored. His daughter Susan accepted the award on his behalf. World renowned journalist Pete Hamill presented the Liebling awards to the honorees.
Years ago, Norm Frauenheim was falsely told that he had won the Fleischer award for "Excellence in Boxing Journalism," only to be given the heartbreaking news that the person telling him had done so in error. Frauenheim handled that disappointment like the professional he is and was finally given his just due by winning the award this year.
Steve Farhood took home the Walker award for "Long and Meritorious service." Previously he had won the Taub award for "Excellence in Broadcast Journalism." Farhood's prestigious award overshadowed another one that he was honored for the same evening, having taken first place in the Barneys for event coverage. It was Farhood's second first place Barney finish in a row.
This year's Taub winner was Harold Lederman, HBO's unofficial judge. Harold's enthusiastic style adds a great deal to the broadcasts, something that the BWAA electorate took note of when they voted him the award. Lederman had previously won the "Good Guy" award. On October 16, 2009 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, Lederman will be presented the Media award by the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians. Maybe one day, the Hall of Fame in Canastota will come calling.
Alan Hopper won the Marvin Kohn "Good Guy" Award this time. Actually, the name of the award might not have done justice to Hopper. He is generally acknowledged to be a great guy, not just a good one.
The Barney contest winners in writing and photography were given special recognition at the dinner. Writing awards are listed here and prize-winning photos are here. More on the Liebling winners is here.
The BWAA's boxing awards winners are chosen in ballots cast by full members of the organization, which has been bestowing honors upon the sport's best athletes, trainers and other participants since the 1930s.
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