The year is over in terms of major bouts involving the top fighters, so with that, I have some awards to present.
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR Manny Pacquiao Mr. Pacquiao dominated Erik Morales in the last of their two bouts and has re-energized the lower weight divisions with his knockout power and skill. His promotional problems aside, Pacquiao has emerged as a superstar in a sport in desperate need of one.
Fights we’d like to see from Pacquiao: Another bout with Marco Antonio Barrera, especially if Barrera’s mind is free of any distractions. It would also be nice to see if Joan Guzman would take on Pacquiao at the end of 2007.
KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR Shannon Briggs TKO 12 over Sergei Liakhovich. There were probably better knockouts; even better knockouts with more highly skilled fighters. But in terms of drama this was it.
Liakhovich was winning a close fight and appeared on the verge of closing the deal, but Briggs did it the Brooklyn way and with seconds left knocked Liakhovich out of the ring. It wasn’t the greatest knockout in the history of the sport, but it goes up there in terms of most dramatic knockout with the heavyweight title on the line.
Fights we’d like to see from Briggs: We know Briggs would like to fight Wladimir Klitschko, but he settles for Sultan Ibragimov on Feb. 17 in Atlantic City. Briggs owes a rematch to Liakhovich. It’s what boxing needs to settle that issue.
FIGHT OF THE YEAR Steve Kim is right. The Somsak Sithchatchawal-Mahyar Monshipour fight is the best fight of the year. Get on youtube.com and check out all four parts of the bout. The yellow gloves are terrific and there is non-stop action. It’s a brawl. Too bad too few people saw it, but maybe, just maybe, the internet can generate enough views by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America to get them to vote it Fight of the Year.
UPSET OF THE YEAR Who knew about Carlos Baldomir before he defeated Zab Judah in a 12 round decision? Very few, that’s who. Baldomir wasn’t a known fighter until he beat Judah, an underachieving individual who has wasted his talent. Baldomir’s victory pushed him to meet Arturo Gatti and then Floyd Mayweather. Man, it’s nice to see quality fighters fight three times in one year.
SADDEST THING IN BOXING The Kronk Gym in Detroit closed down. It’s terrible. It’s like Fenway Park or Wrigley Field closing down. Anyhow, it’s good to see Emanuel Steward find another gym. There was a gym in Las Vegas, Stewart Gym, that also went down over insurance and financial issues.
That’s a shame.
One of the problems with boxing is that the fighters should give back a little bit more to the old gyms. Say what you want about Hasim Rahman, but he gave back to his old gym in Baltimore. It would be nice to see some of the bigger names in the sport fix up some of these old gyms and help Steward and others build new gyms.
TIME FOR A FIGHTER TO RETIRE AWARD Sharmba Mitchell and Evander Holyfield. Holyfield doesn’t need the money or the glory. Please leave before you get hurt. Mitchell is way past his prime, so please leave because you can’t beat any quality fighters anymore.
POUND FOR POUND Floyd Mayweather: Is there anybody else? Manny Pacquiao: Most exciting fighter in the business. Miguel Cotto: Excellent fighter with star-power. Winky Wright: Nearing the backend of his career, but still good. Jermain Taylor: Finished the year with an impressive performance Joe Calzaghe: American fight fans need to give him some respect. Joel Casamayor: Where have you been? We’ve found him. Marco Antonio Barrera: One last big fight for this classy individual. Wladimir Klitschko: You have to put a heavyweight in there. Ivan Calderon: Doesn’t get enough of the mainstream fight press’ attention.
THINGS TO CHANGE FOR 2007 Announcing the scorecards during title fights. End it please. We can wait until the bout is over.
More qualified referees across the Southwest and Midwest.
HBO and SHOWTIME, please stop telecasting fights at the same time. You’re not showing football games. The sport’s popularity isn’t big enough for that.
Oscar De La Hoya fights more than once a year.
Bernard Hopkins to stay in retirement.
