The boxing year of 2006 is at its end. The year could have been better. Many of the most anticipated fights fell through and even the big PPV fights that did happen were not as spectacular as the $49.99 price tag would tend to suggest. The heavyweight division began and ended as a fragmented stand still. Yet, despite the disappointments there were some bright spots and memorable moments in 2006. Despite the politics that go on behind the scenes, the passion of the boxers is what keeps fans coming back time and time again. And as long as there are hungry, young fighters coming up and superstars trying to create a legacy, we will be treated to some entertaining scraps. The awards below represent the best, and the worst, that happened in boxing this past year; giving notice to the exceptional performers and performances as well as summing up the year. The team of writers at RSR voted and commented for each award. As we close the chapter on 2006, let us look forward to what looks to be a promising year in 2007 and, as always, more great articles for your reading pleasure. Without further ado, here are the End of the Year Awards for 2006.
Upset of the Year: Carlos Baldomir UD Zab Judah
Whenever an unheralded journeyman takes down an undisputed champion, you can go ahead and consider that a huge upset. Baldomir turned out to be better than we all thought he was, but you can’t discredit the magnitude of Baldomir’s victory.
“Zab’s best punch of the night was his cheap shot to Tata’s thigh during the ring instructions. Where was Papa Yoel when his son really needed him?” – Russ Greenspan
Honorable mention: Oleg Maskaev TKO12 Hasim Rahman
Mismatch of the Year: Joe Calzaghe UD Jeff Lacy
This super middleweight unification was supposed to be a fight of the year candidate and an evenly matched strap. Instead, Calzaghe battered Lacy from pillar to post for twelve one sided gruesome rounds. This one gets bonus points because it was the biggest mismatch that did not look like a mismatch on paper.
“Actually it wasn’t a mismatch, because Lacy looked to be an excellent fighter. Yet on the night, well, it was.” – Richard Hulse
Honorable mention: “Ringside Report Vs Boxing Talk. RSR by 1st Round TKO!” – “Bad” Brad Berkwitt
“Nicolay Valuev vs. Security Guard” – Geno McGahee
Biggest Disappointment: Antonio Tarver
At the end of 2005 there was some talk that Tarver had a chance to be remembered as a great champion at light heavyweight. He had twice beaten the unbeatable Roy Jones, but instead of finishing on top like Gene Tunney did when he was in a similar position in 1930, Tarver whimpered out with inactivity and one terrible performance. We were expecting great things from Antonio Tarver and he did not deliver.
“I had Audley Harrison all set as 2006’s major flop, but he perked up a little just before the year’s end. Tarver had a great 2005 against Glen Johnson and Roy Jones, JR., and then lost to Hopkins in his sole 2006 excursion. But I guess he got to be in the latest Rocky movie…” – Richard Hulse
Dishonorable mentions: James Toney vs. Sam Peter, the heavyweight division, the Jose Luis Castillo/Diego Corrales weight problems.
Best Looking Prospect: Andre Berto
This 23 year old knockout artist from Florida has turned enough heads to be voted as the top prospect for 2006 by the writers at RSR. Look for Berto to be fighting for a title in the welterweight or super middleweight division in future.
Honorable mentions: Paul Williams.
“The lad from Bolton, UK – Amir Khan. The guy is pure dynamite.” – Lee Purchase
Padded Record Award: Nikolay Valuev
7 foot, 330 pound, Nikolay Valuev is the WBA Heavyweight Champion, but his list of opponents leaves something to be desired. Most of his wins came from early bouts against tomato cans, and even as he stepped up his competition, his handlers have hand picked his challengers.
“Jermain Taylor. Just kidding. Although it is difficult to blame the heavyweights for the weakness of the division, I am going to vote for the man closing in on the Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 mark. Nope, I will not put Nikolay Valuev’s name in the same sentence; my hands are shaking putting them in the same paragraph. Not your fault, Nikolay, but hopefully his management will let him fight somebody higher up the rung than Owen Beck and Monte Barrett.” – Dr. Howard Reynolds
Dishonorable mention: Julio Cesar Chavez, JR.
“Joe Siciliano (also padded belly award)” – Geno McGahee
Heavyweight Fight of the Year: Lamon Brewster vs. Sergei Liakhovich
Although a fight like Wladimir Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd was more historically significant, Brewster vs. Liakhovich was a back and forth war that gave fans something that they had not had in a long while: a heavyweight slugfest that was fun to watch.
“The surprisingly entertaining best of an incredibly bad bunch.” – Lee Purchase
Knockout of the Year: Calvin Brock KO6 Zuri Lawrence
Words have trouble describing this brutal KO. Brock put everything he had into a left hook and it landed perfectly on the chin of Lawrence, who then proceeded to take a nap on the canvas. Not bad for a guy not particularly known as a power puncher.
Honorable mention: Wladimir Klitschko TKO7 Calvin Brock, Willie Gibbs TKO12 Lenord Pierre.
Robbery of the Year: Vernon Forrest UD Ike Quartey
“Not even close. Fortunately, Ike did not suffer from this episode; he went on to a big payday in his loss to Winky Wright earlier this month.” – Dr. Howard Reynolds
“Ike Quartey’s loss to Vernon Forrest left a bitter taste in the mouth…” – Lee Purchase
“A total screw job, and to make matters worse, Forrest fought with one hand and lost a point during the fight. What has “Bazooka” done to piss off boxing judges??” – Richard Hulse
Dishonorable mention: Sam Peter SD James Toney, Luis Perez SD Dimitri Kirilov
Should Not Have Been On PPV Award: Mike Tyson vs. Corey Sanders exhibition
“All of them. I have a theory. If for one year, the promoters spent as much money pimping these fights but put them on ESPN or other basic cable (or during HBO/Showtime free preview periods), they could convert and bring back so many fans the sport would be re-energized, and they would make twice as much in PPV buys the following year, and into the future. Just a theory. That won’t be tested anytime soon, unless by the MMA world.” – Dr. Howard Reynolds
Dishonorable mention: Evander Holyfield vs. Fres Oquendo
Are They Still Around? (Award given to the boxer who needs to hang them up): Evander Holyfield
People were starting to say that Evander Holyfield was past his prime over decade ago, yet he is still fighting and looking for a title shot.
“Easy, Evander Holyfield and this is his 2nd or 3rd year running.” – Jason Tremble
“He doesn’t need the money, his legacy is intact…he still has one ear. Just because the division is weak is no excuse.” – Dr. Howard Reynolds
Honorable mentions: Roy Jones, JR.
“Scott Pemberton. Was I the only one who thought that “The Sandman” needed an immediate MRI following his KO loss to Peter Manfredo?? Let’s hope that this courageous fighter goes through with his contemplated retirement plans.” – Russ Greenspan
Please Comeback Award: Tie between Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko
The heavyweight division is in desperate need of an icon who will bring excitement and legacy back to boxing. They were the last two top heavyweights who captured the imagination of the public. Since they both received equal votes, why not have them both come out of retirement to fight each other.
Missing In Action: O’Neil Bell
Talk about not taking advantage of a big win. After becoming the first undisputed Cruiserweight Champion since Evander Holyfield, Bell has take an extended vacation and still does not have a fight set up to this date. He was holding out so that he could participate in the Superfighter tournament, but at some point you have to defend your belts!
Dishonorable mention: IBF Super Featherweight Champion, Jesus Chavez
Fighter of the Year: Manny Pacquiao
Nobody really had an astonishing year, but Pac Man gets the nod for his two KO wins over the all time great Erik Morales and a nice victory over the underrated Oscar Larios. Pacquiao is an amazing fighter who takes on all comers and, for the most part, runs through them with ease. This great year for him in 2006 could set up an even bigger year in 2007.
“No other Jr. Lightweight beats even a diminished Erik Morales into submission twice in one year.” – Russ Greenspan
Honorable mention: Carlos Baldomir
Fight of the Year: Somsak Sithchatchawal vs. Mahyar Monshipour
The result of the voting in this category surprised me because the winner was a fight that had not been televised nor publicized in the United States. That just goes to show what a terrific battle it was between these two for the WBA Super Bantamweight Championship. Definitely worthy of being considered the best boxing match of 2006.
“Neither man will ever be the same again, for sure.” – Lee Purchase
“My pick, staged in Paris, France on March 18th; Somsak Sithchatchawal knocking out then WBA super bantamweight champ Mahyar Monshipour. Do yourself a favor—find it on youtube.com, be sure you spell it correctly, and enjoy.” – Dr. Howard Reynolds
Honorable mentions: Erik Morales vs. Manny Pacquiao 2, Israel Vazquez vs. Jhonny Gonzalez, Edison Miranda vs. Arthur Abraham.
Happy New Year!
