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Philippines, 28 Jul 2026 |
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TWO GIANT SATURDAYS IN OCTOBER MAY HAVE PRODUCED THE YEAR'S BEST IN BOXING By Rich Mazon PhilBoxing.com Mon, 22 Oct 2012  It has been two great nights of boxing these past two weekends in the Continental United States. The two leading promotional companies of the sport separately and successfully staged two big events in the two major cities of this country, namely Los Angeles and New York. Both live boxing events were anticipated, watched and discussed by fans of the sport not only in this country but worldwide. It brought the needed "buzz" the sport needed after a tepid third quarter for 2012. In a span of eight days, the world of prize fighting witnessed two Saturdays of great action in the squared ring. And it produced highlight reels that are probably the year's best. With more than two months left before the year ends, these two events held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California and in Brooklyn's brand new Barclays Center produced what probably are the front runners for 2012's yearend awardees for the sport. Fight of the Year: Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado There is no question that the slugfest between these two unbeaten gladiators produced the best fight of the year so far. Both fighters went at each other without hesitation, starting from the opening bell until the fight was called off in the seventh round. Rios and Alvarado were like two beasts fighting for supremacy of the 140 landscape. There was no back pedaling from the two. There was no moving around the ring to get the better position over another. It was all moving forward, like two freight trains on a collision course. And it produced a match for the ages. One that is comparable to classic wars like Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward or Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo. It sure is hard to beat this one! Knockout of the Year: Danny Garcia's devastating left hook of Erik Morales. Danny Garcia did last Saturday, what he failed to do the last time he met the legendary Erik Morales in the ring earlier this year. And this time, the unified Super Lightweight Champ did it with an exclamation point. A perfectly timed strong left hook from the Philly champion finished the job for him and likely the career of one of the great fighters of the sport. Garcia's crushing left hook was so strong that it spun Morales around, into the ropes and almost toppled him outside the ring of the Barclays Center. Its impact was felt in the whole arena, and capped of a night of four world championship fights in the borough of Brooklyn. The brave Morales, who in past times would get up from a knockdown and fight back, tried to regain his senses but it was clear that the fight and probably his illustrious career has ended right there. His corner knew it that is why they jumped into the ring and rushed to his aid after he fell. The viciousness and impact of that knockout makes it as the best one in the year for me. Trainer of the Year: Roberto Garcia The hot trainer from Oxnard California scored two big wins via two of his prized pupils two Saturdays ago in Carson. The former champ turned trainer guided Rios and pound for pound mainstay, Nonito Donaire to two giant knockout wins at the open arena of the Home Depot Center. Garcia has also been successful in overseeing the corner of Marcus Maidana who knocked out tough Jose Soto Karass last September in Las Vegas and the come backing Kelly Pavlik who has been 3-0 since hiring the trainer. The 37 year old trainer is also the chief trainer for his brother, undefeated featherweight Miguel "Mikey" Garcia and flyweight titlist Hernan "Tyson" Marquez. Both Mikey Garcia and Marquez have scheduled fights in the upcoming month. The younger Garcia whose title match against Featherweight champ Orlando Salido was postponed, will face Jonathan Barrios on November 10 in Las Vegas. Marquez will square off in a unification title match against one of Coach Garcia's former pupil in Brian Viloria . Viloria can make it difficult for his former trainer to run away with the award with a win over Marquez on November 17th in Los Angeles. And finally, the much coveted Fighter of the Year: Nonito Donaire with Danny Garcia as a close second. Nonito Donaire's impressive knockout of longtime Super bantam king pin Toshiaki Nishioka might be enough for him to be ahead in the running for this year's best. But only days after his victory, talks of him fighting an unprecedented fourth time this year might just clinch it for him if he comes out victorious again. Donaire is being reported to fight fellow four division titlist, Jorge Arce of Mexico. The fight according to reports in this site is scheduled to be held in Mexico City on December 15th. A victory over Arce will make it four in a row for the Filipino superstar this year. He has also unified the WBO and IBF beltsthis year as well as adding the WBC Diamond belt by beating its "emeritus" champion in Nishioka. Danny Garcia became a champion and household name from just being a prospect in a span of seven months. His two spectacular stoppages of Morales last Saturday in Brooklyn and his demolition of Amir Khan last summer make him a formidable competitor for Donaire. If his promotional outfit lands him another fight before the 2012 ends and wins again, he and Donaire will divide the votes for this year's top fighter. We still have plenty in store for the last quarter of 2012 for boxing. The fourth fight between Manny Pacquiao and his nemesis, Juan Manuel Marquez on December 8th is the biggest of the list. And we always get the best from these two rivals of the ring. It won't be a surprise if it becomes another close and exciting match again which can rival Rios-Alvarado. And with both predicting a knockout, we could have another highlight reel in the merry month of December. But for now, the month of October reigns supreme for the Sweet Science. You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for any reactions to this piece. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .  |
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