From wbanews.com

WBA Awards Dinner Argentina 2008

Posted in: Annual Awards Dinner

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Jun 26, 2008 - 9:18:15 AM

THE WBA CONGRATULATES 2007/2008 AWARD WINNERS

After a few years, the World Boxing Association (WBA) held again its traditional Annual Awards Dinner last week in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which was a complete success with over 300 persons in attendance at the Milk Producers’ (ATILRA) Directory Building.

Former WBA champ Juan Coggi, Sergio Palma, Juan reveco,
Gustavo Ballas, and Mariano Carrera

The likes of current WBA champions Firat Arslan, Andreas Kotelnik, Celestino Caballero and Suzy Kentikian and current WBO Omar Narvaez along with former champions such as Acelino Freitas, John Ruiz, Jorge Castro, Juan Coggi, Gustavo Ballas, Sergio Palma, Raul Balbi, Juan Carlos Reveco, Mariano Carrera, Marcelo Dominguez, Julio Pablo Chacón were present.

Also, important promoters, managers and matchmakers like Don King, Dietmar Poszwa (Universum Box Promotions), Chris Meyer (Sauerland Event), Osvaldo Rivero, Sampson Lewkowicz, Mario Margossian, Mario Arano, Tony Gonzalez, and Ricardo Rizzo were there.

The ceremony was hosted by Carlos Irusta and Sebastian Contursi who were in charge of introducing the awarded.

WBA Executive Vice-President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza was the opening speaker. Mr. Mendoza highlighted the longtime relationship between Argentinean boxing and the WBA since the times of Hall of Famer Juan Carlos Lectoure and former champions Carlos Monzón, Nicolino Locche, Víctor Galindez, Santos Laciar and others.

Argentina’s Boxing Federation President Osvaldo Bisbal offered some welcoming words to the attendees.

In order to distinguish the best personalities of 2007/2008 as they deserved the WBA asked Argentinean artist Constanza Palou to design an exclusive award that consisted in a bronze sculpture of which only 15 were made.

WBA Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto received the award for the “Best WBA Boxer”. As Miguel was in the middle of his training camp for his upcoming long-awaited fight against Antonio Margarito, the award was sent to him to Puerto Rico, from where he made a special video clip showed at the dinner where he thanked the WBA for the distinction.

2007/2008 WBA AWARDS

WBA BEST BOXER
Miguel Cotto

WBA BEST FEMALE BOXER
Sussiana Kentikian

WBA BEST FIGHT
Juan Diaz vs. Acelino Freitas

WBA BEST KNOCKOUT
Juan Carlos Reveco to Nehtra Sasiprapa

WBA BEST PROSPECT
Marcos Maidana

WBA BEST YOUNG TALENT
Yuriorkis Gamboa

WBA BEST TRAINER
Michael Timm

WBA OFFICIAL OF THE DECADE
Stanley Christodolou

WBA BEST OFFICIAL
Luis Pabón

WBA BEST PROMOTER
Universum Box Promotions

WBA PROMOTER OF THE DECADE
Don King

WBA NEW GENERATION PROMOTER
Dietmar Poszwa (Spotlight boxing)

WBA BEST MATCHMAKER
Sampson Lewkowicz

WBA LIFE ACHIEVEMENT
José Emilio Graglia

WBA GREAT LATIN ACHIEVEMENT
John Ruiz

ARGENTINEAN PROMOTER OF THE DECADE
Osvaldo Rivero

ARGENTINEAN BEST NEW GENERATION PROMOTER
Mario Margossian

BEST BOXING WRITER
Carlos Irusta (El Gráfico and Ring Side magazines / ESPN)

BEST NEW GENERATION BOXING WRITER
Eduardo Bejuk (Diario Olé) – Claudio Coronel (Fox Sports)

BEST WEB SITE IN SPANISH
www.notifight.com

WBA SPECIAL AWARDS TO:
WBA Cruiserweight champion Firat Arslan
WBA Super Bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero
WBA Super Lightweight champion Andreas Kotelnik
Argentina’s Boxing Federation President Osvaldo Bisbal

WBA Awards Dinner - Argentina 2008