The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has named Manny Pacquiao Fighter of the Decade because of the Filipino ring icon’s boxing achievements for the past 10 years.

Pacquiao, 33, who is currently training under Buboy Fernandez in General Santos City for his fourth fight against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, on December 8, has no any idea about the award.

“He [Pacquiao] really deserves that award. Manny is so happy when he heard the news,” Pacquiao’s long-time lawyer Franklyn Gacal told The Manila Times in a telephone interview. “He is very busy with his training and conditioning regimen.”

Pacquiao (54-4-2 win-loss-draw with 38 knockouts) won the WBO welterweight title after beating Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in November 2009.

But Pacquiao lost the title to Timothy Bradley via a highly controversial split decision in June this year, also in Las Vegas.

Gacal said that Pacquiao, who was also named Fighter of the Decade by the World Boxing Council and the Boxing Writers Association of America in the past, dedicated the WBO award to his fellow Filipinos. He also promised to win his fourth fight against Marquez.

Meanwhile, the WBO also bestowed the Fighter of the Year distinction to Pacquiao’s compatriot Nonito Donaire Jr., the present WBO super bantamweight champion.

The WBO 25th convention was held on Tuesday at the Seminole Hard Rock and Casino in Florida. The other notable awardees were Light Flyweight champion Yesica Bopp of Argentina (Female Fighter of the Year) as well as Top Rank’s Bob Arum and Todd Duboef (Promoter of the Year).