Pacquiao, Fil-Am gold medalist get nods at ESPN awards

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao received a nomination for Best Fighter of the Year at ESPN's Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) Awards.

ESPN said that Pacquiao deserves a nomination for regaining the WBO welterweight title from Timothy Bradley in a decisive rematch of their controversial 2012 bout.

"He also beat Brandon Rios for the vacant WBO International welterweight crown," the American sports network said.

Contending in the same category as Pacquiao are boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and mixed martial artists Jon "Bones" Jones, Andre Ward and Ronda Rousey. Mayweather was chosen for the best fighter honor in 2013.

Filipino-American Paralympics wheelchair racing champion Raymond Martin also got a nod from the awards body for being the first man to win five gold medals at the IPC Athletics Championships last year.

Martin, who was chosen Male Paralympic Athlete of the Year in 2013 by the United States Olympic Committee, topped men's T52 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m races.

He also dominated in the same five events at the US Paralympics Track and Field National Championships. in 2013.

Cast your votes: 2014 ESPY Awards