CANBERRA, Oct. 13 -- Boxer Jeff Horn has been awarded Australian sport's highest individual honor after defeating Manny Pacquaio in July.

Horn was awarded The Don Award, named after cricketer Don Bradman, by the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) on Thursday night.

Horn stunned the boxing world in July when he defeated Pacquaio by a unanimous points decision in his hometown of Brisbane, claiming the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) world welterweight title.

The result stirred controversy, prompting the Philippines Games and Amusements Board (PGAB) to request an official rescore of the fight which resulted in a 3-1 win for Horn.

"Many days I have thought to myself, 'did that really happen?'," Horn, a former school teacher, told the SAHOF event in Melbourne on Thursday night.

"It's been very hectic since the win but recognition and awards like this certainly help."

He said that winning The Don was a career highlight.

"It is massive," he said.

"This is a dream come true.

"I can remember growing up being inspired by previous winners such as (Olympic gold medallists) Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe.

"To know I am potentially inspiring the future generation of athletes, like these guys have done for me, is an incredible feeling."

The Don Award is awarded to "a current Australian athlete or team who, by their achievements and example over the last 12 months, are considered to have had the capacity to most inspire the nation."

【体坛英语资讯：Jeff Horn awarded Australian sports top award after beating Manny Pacquaio】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：China to make cricket global - Asian boss

★ 体坛英语资讯：Hammers plan to upset another title hopeful

★ 体坛英语资讯：Shaq: I will give Yao fancy new wheels as wedding gift

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Miley Cyrus tops highest-earning-teens list

★ 体坛英语资讯：Germany edges into Euro 2008 final after defeating Turkey by 3-2

★ 体坛英语资讯：Denmark coach appologizes for impolite behavior

★ 体坛英语资讯：26-year-old Universiade athletics record shattered

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Hewitt love strikes back over bikini shots

★ 体坛英语资讯：Yao powers Rockets to big win over Cavaliers

★ 体坛英语资讯：Bucks finish preseason with loss to Timberwolves