THERE is more to Philippine boxing than just Manny Pacquiao. Nonito Donaire is one of them.

Although out of action for almost a year, Donaire still managed to retain his International Boxing Federation flyweight title with a sixth-round technical knockout win over Moruti Mtahalane of South Africa in only his single fight for 2008.

Despite a bit rusty during the 12-round title bout at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the California-based Filipino still showed flashes of brilliance as a boxing star in the making.

Of course, he still holds the distinction as the only fighter to have inflicted the single blot in Vic Darchinyan?s brilliant career, knocking out the previously unbeaten Armenian-born Australian in the fifth round of their title duel to wrest the IBF crown two years ago.

Darchinyan has since moved up at super flyweight and on Sunday, retained his IBF, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association titles following an 11th-round technical knockout of Mexican warrior Jorge Arce.

A Donaire-Darchinyan rematch still looms in the horizon, with the 26-year-old Filipino needing to win his next fight on March 22 at the Araneta Coliseum against Raul Martinez to make his highly awaited return duel with Darchinyan possible.

But a month before taking his first fight for 2009, Donaire will be bestowed the major award for professional boxing by the Philippine Sportswriters Association during the San Miguel Corp.-PSA Annual Awards? Night at the Alegria Lounge of the Manila Pavilion Hotel.

Donaire is among the recipient of the major awards to be handed out by the country?s oldest media organization in the Feb. 20 ceremony sponsored by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Other recipients of the major award include basketball star Kelly Williams, chess wonder Wesley So, wushu gold medalist Willy Wang and golfers Dottie Ardina, Angelo Que, Dorothy Delasin and Jennifer Rosales.

Receiving the 2008 Athlete of the Year award is boxing idol Pacquiao, whose victories over Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz and legendary Oscar de la Hoya clinched for him the highest accolade given by the country?s oldest media organization for the fifth time in seven years.

Other than the Athlete of the Year honor, the 30-year-old native of General Santos City will also be enshrined into the PSA Hall of Fame during the simple, two-hour rite also supported by the Villar Foundation, Senator Francis ?Chiz? Escudero, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Shakey?s, Accel, Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Basketball League, National Capital Region Athletic Association, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Purefoods, Ginebra, Alaska, Sta. Lucia, Rain or Shine, Ever Bilena, Harbour Centre, Liga Pilipinas, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, Pharex, Games and Amusements Board and Mighty Sports Association.