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Philippines, 25 Apr 2024 |
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Who Should be the BWAA 2020 Fighter of the Year? Teófimo, Fury or Canelo? By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Wed, 30 Dec 2020  To some fans, the quick answer is Teófimo López, even though Teofimo waged only one war in 2020. However, that one battle was such a meaningful, rewarding victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko that it could be enough for the unbeaten, unified WBA/IBF/WBO/WBC Lightweight World Champion “The Takeover” Teófimo López (16-0, 12 KO’s) to claim the prestigious “Fighter of the year Award” in this so unusual year 2020 in which the Planet’s top fighters saw little action. Yes, for some fans, the legendary, highly coveted trophy should go to Teófimo Lopez who aims for even more thrilling fights against tough warriors in 2021, including a blockbuster rematch against the still great Lomachenko. But there are other equally awesome boxers to be taken into account. The other top contender who could claim the award is “The Gypsy King” Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 KO’s) for his thrilling jaw-dropping heavyweight world-title devastating seventh chapter knockout win over then undefeated super slugger WBC world champion “The Bronze Bomber” Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KO’s) back in February, crushingly dethroning him. 
Tyson Fury’s 2020 super win was electrifying, resounding... a real treat to boxing fans. Notably, legendary world champion and Filipino hero Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s) who has won the Fighter of the Year award in the past, is not being considered for this year’s because the beloved Pacman, 42, did not see action during 2020. The fighting Senator’s last rumble was his win against Keith Thurman in July of 2019, and there were reports months ago that the Filipino icon would face Irish UFC superstar Conor McGregor next, perhaps somewhere in the Middle East. Maybe their hot rumble will eventually come, although as of now it does not appear to be 100% confirmed. We keep you informed. But furthermore, the bankable, hugely popular Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Álvarez (54-1-2, 36 KO’s) is as well considered by many fans as the best fighter of the year for his win over Briton titlist WBSS winner Callum Smith (27-1, 19 KO’s) two weeks ago in San Antonio. 
However, how does Canelo’s triumph over Smith measures when compared with Teófimo’s sensational win over Lomachenko and Tyson Fury’s startling destruction of Wilder? Bearing in mind that the greatness of a win in boxing depends in big part on who is defeated and how, the truth is that Canelo’s title win over Smith, – even though awesome – was largely expected. Canelo was the total favorite to beat Smith, and he did it, and did it fantastically well. In contrast, not many fans and experts alike expected the younger Teófimo to decidedly defeat a superbly effective technical Matrix-like fighter as Lomachenko the way he did, being Loma indeed one of the most amazing and gifted boxers on Earth, who at the time of the rumble was considered by many as the world’s # 1 pound4pound warrior. But wait, how many fans got awed and thrilled with Tyson Fury’s riveting, fabulous, sensational knockout win over Deontay Wilder, one of the most fearsome heavy-punchers in boxing, perhaps in heavyweight history? I was. That’s why, this year’s BWAA’s “Fighter is the Year” should go to Teófimo, Fury or Canelo. But who would you pick.. and why? Perhaps, the 2020 revelation Teófimo Lopez should be the one getting the trophy. 
The 23-year-old Honduran-American born in New York was exciting in brilliantly outboxing a really awesome tactical boxer as the Ukrainian 2-time Olympic Gold medalist Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KO’s) in their highly profiled unification battle. Surely, for others, Tyson Fury must the one, because the popular off-the-chart Briton was simply more MORE THRILLING!!! Unbeaten welterweight champions Terence Crawford (37-0, 28 KO’s) and Errol Spence (27-0, 21 KO’s) had a good year as well; however were their successful title defenses riveting enough to be considered by fans as the very best of the year? Whoever the BWAA figures as best fighter of 2020, Teófimo or Fury or Canelo, it’d be perfectly OK, because the their extraordinary victories during the year were simply fantastic for boxing fans, especially during these trying and challenging times, paving the way for more boxing excitement in the new year soon to begin. So for you, Teófimo, Fury... or Canelo? The author Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsaap +639184538152. Happy New Year 2021! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.  |
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