Zing!
WBC welterweight and super welterweight boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. — not UFC champions Randy Couture or Quinton "Rampage" Jackson — was named the "Best Fighter" at the 2007 ESPN ESPY Awards show last night.
It was the first time in the history of the annual sports awards event, which began in 1993, that mixed martial artists were eligible to receive votes in the category.
Mayweather, of course, caused a stir prior to his showdown with Oscar De La Hoya earlier this year, calling into question the talents of mixed martial artists. His comments elicited a public challenge from UFC President Dana White to fight UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk.
"Pretty Boy" ended up softening his stance later on, saying the remarks were a tactic to promote his championship bout with "The Golden Boy."
In addition to Mayweather, Couture and Jackson, WBC Featherweight Champion Manny Paquiao and WBA Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto were also in the running for the prestigious recognition.
Candidates are nominated by the ESPY Select Nominating Committee and winners are determined through online votes received from fans.
Looks like boxing still has some big support after all.
The ESPYs will air this Sunday, July 15, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN with hosts Jimmy Kimmel and NBA superstar Lebron James.
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