Just hours after passing through several time zones, Manny Pacquiao mesmerized the audience that came to see him receive his second Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Fighter of the Year trophy late Friday night (Saturday morning in Manila) at the Capitale in New York.

Dressed in a designer suit, Pacquiao wowed the members of the BWAA, fellow awardees and other attendees, looking unaffected by the 20-hour flight that originated in Manila with a layover in Tokyo before proceeding to JFK International and landing there at around 3 p.m., just three hours before cocktails started.

Pacquiao was voted as the top awardee for his stunning victories in 2008 against Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, and Oscar De La Hoya.

The BWAA had also bestowed upon him the same award in 2006 for his two knockout wins over Erik Morales.

If Pacquiao wins his next fight possibly in October or November, he is expected to be voted once again and grace the 85th awards night of the BWAA. Pacquiao is a frontrunner following his second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton last May 2.

“I promise the BWAA that the boxing fans will see a more exciting Manny Pacquiao every round, every minute and every second I fight on top of the ring,” said Pacquiao in a prepared speech that was widely applauded by the crowd.

Pacquiao also mentioned his family as the driving force behind his meteoric rise and also credited his countrymen for their undying support.

“To the Filipino nation who continue to inspire me to do my best,” said Pacquiao.

Also taking center stage was Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, who has been calling the shots in the Filipino’s corner since 2001.

Roach was awarded his third Trainer of the Year trophy.

Roach, meanwhile, said that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is his choice for Pacquiao’s next fight.

Roach said he is even letting Pacquiao fight him at 147 lbs but would not do the same thing if Shane Mosley or Miguel Cotto will be the opponent.

Pacquiao and Roach will remain in the Big Apple until Sunday to watch Cotto fight at Madison Square Garden.

Pacquiao had almost missed attending the BWAA awards and the timely intervention of some of his VIP friends and a personage from Malacanang prompted him to cut short a vacation in Bohol for the flight to New York.

With the tremendous response to his presence, Pacquiao may have realized that flying 8,506 miles was worth the trip.