Pacquiao enjoys special year, primed for a big 2009

Dec 31, 2008 - 2:59 PM By Kevin Pedersen PA SportsTicker Boxing Editor

Manny Pacquiao had a spectacular year and 2009 has the potential to be even bigger.

The current pound-for-pound king enjoyed a memorable year, recording three victories in three different weight classes, culminating with an eight-round stoppage of Oscar De La Hoya on December 6.

Pacquiao started the year by earning a split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in an extremely close super featherweight title fight in March.

Three months later, the Filipino moved up to challenge David Diaz for the WBC lightweight title and dominated the fight before knocking the Chicago native out in the ninth round.

The recently turned 30-year-old capped the spectacular year off by moving up two weight classes to welterweight and outclassing the legendary De La Hoya in surprisingly easy fashion.

The win cemented Pacquiao's status as one of the best fighters in the world, but also made him the must-see attraction for 2009.

Although a fight isn't officially finalized, Pacquiao could be set to take on junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton in a bout that could globally be one of the biggest in boxing history. There have been reports that the two sides are getting close to an agreement.

Hatton bounced back from his first career defeat, a 10th-round technical knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in December 2007, to win a pair of bouts in 2008.

A fight between Hatton and Pacquiao could take place in Las Vegas, but could also be on international soil, which would likely be a major success.

Regardless of the outcome against Hatton, Pacquiao could entice Mayweather out of retirement for a fight later in the year, but there is also a potential third bout with Marquez if all else fails.

Marquez and Pacquiao fought to a draw in 2004 and their fight this past year could have been scored in either's favor.

A third fight would not bring in as much money as the clash with Hatton or Mayweather, but it would still be must-see due to Pacquiao's sudden stardom and their controversial history. Marquez, who is high on most people's pound-for-pound rankings, is taking on Juan Diaz for the IBO lightweight belt in February.

MORE THAN JUST PACQUIAO: The "PacMan" wasn't the only fighter who enjoyed an outstanding year. Here is a quick review of a few other that stood out in 2008.

Joe Calzaghe: In his first two fights in the United States, the unbeaten Welshman defeated Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. If he does retire, it's not a bad way to go out.

Chad Dawson: The IBF and IBO light heavyweight champion won a hard-earned decision over Glen Johnson before thoroughly dominating Antonio Tarver in October. Why is there a rematch again?

Paul Williams: He did lose to Carlos Quintana in February, but the "Punisher" bounced back with three knockout wins in three different weight classes, claiming the IBO light middleweight title and becoming the "most feared fighter" in boxing.

Tomasz Adamek: The former light heavyweight champion won all three of his bouts and captured the IBF cruiserweight belt with an entertaining victory over Steve Cunningham in December.

The Klitschko brothers: Wladimir went 3-0 to maintain his dominance over the heavyweight division. Older brother Vitali returned from a four-year hiatus to win the WBC belt by stopping Samuel Peter, making the Klitschkos the first brothers in boxing history to simultaneously hold heavyweight titles.

Andre Berto: The 25-year-old rising star went 3-0 with two KOs, winning the WBC welterweight crown in the process. The competition will get tougher in 2009.

SIX THINGS THAT WOULD BE GREAT IN 2009:

A Paul Williams-Antonio Margarito rematch.

Chad Dawson fighting either Joe Calzaghe or Bernard Hopkins.

Somebody, anybody putting an end to the reign of Nikolay Valuev as a heavyweight champion.

Unbeaten featherweight champion Chris John fighting in a nationally televised bout or in the United States.

Celestino Caballero takes on Israel Vasquez.

Boxing cards that feature more than one fight involving a marquee name.

Question or comment? Email Kevin.Pedersen@pa-sportsticker.com.