Check out the FightFan.com’s staff picks for our 2008 Year End Awards. In what was another great year for boxing, one man stood out above the rest in showing why he is the true pound-for-pound champion.
Fighter of the year:
Ace Freeman: Manny Pacquiao
How could there be any doubt? ?The Pacman? had a year for the history books, defeating nemesis and fellow top three pound-for-pound fighter Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC super featherweight title in March. He moves up to the lightweight division in his next fight and picks up the 135 pound WBC title destroying David Diaz. Finally, in December he move straight up to welterweight, bypassing 140 pounds, and absolutely beats Oscar De La Hoya into submission like no fighter ever has. Pacquiao?s campaign in 2008 goes beyond winning the praises of being named ?Fighter of the Year?. It was the stuff of legend.
Joe Bruiser: Manny Pacquiao
Three wins in three divisions. Two title wins. Beat a top 5 p4p fighter. Dominated and embarrassed a future Hall of Famer in a fight that most thought was way too dangerous for him. The kid just shows no fear and is full of surprises. Honourable mention to Paul Williams for getting back on track after losing his title early in the year, by immediately avenging that loss and also ending the year with three wins in three different divisions, all by knockout, and picking up two titles in the process.
Alden Chodash: Manny Pacquiao
2008 was a breakthrough year for the improving Filipino, who settled the score with pound-for-pound rival Juan Manuel Marquez, moved up in weight to dominate reigning lightweight champion David Diaz before knocking him out, and then annihilate former middleweight champion Oscar De La Hoya while making the leap about 17 pounds north of where he?s accustomed to fighting at. I believe Pacquiao?s shocking victory over ?The Golden Boy? might of earned him these accolades on their own, but combined with the other two great victories as previously stated, I don?t think there?s any doubt who 2008?s ?Fighter of the Year? is.
Luis Torres: Manny Pacquiao
With three big wins in as many weight categories, Manny Paquiao definitely had the best 2008 in he game.
Anwar Jamison: Manny Pacquiao
I?ll take Manny here. A 3-0 year. Winning one of the great fights of the year vs. Juan Manuel Marquez. Then of course, the icing on the cake. In a time when boxing craves new stars, Manny is not new to boxing fans, but he broke through to the mainstream with his devastation of the Golden Boy.
Ivan ?LatinoPorVida? Montiel: Antonio Margarito
Rizwaan Zahid: Manny Pacquiao
This is a bit tricky, but Pacquaio for me gets the nod. Paul Williams, like others, including Joe Calzaghe had excellent years, but for Joe it was two wins as opposed to Pacman and Williams who had three each. Joe?s wins though were more popular then the others he had in his career. Pacquaio beat Marquez in a close decision, then destroyed Diaz and then beat Oscar in the most popular one-sideded fight of 2008. Although Williams has three straight stoppages in three different divisions, he did have his only loss at the beginning of the year against Carlos Quintana, but he did avenge it in the best way, a first round KO. Nevertheless, Riz?s award goes to Pacquiao.
Fight of the year:
Ace Freeman: Vazquez vs. Marquez III
Once again Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez beat the ever loving bejeebus out of one another this year, not just for the thrilling enjoyment of FightFans everywhere, but for the pride and glory of holding the distinction of being the better man between the two. There were many superb fights this year. Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto?s battle for the welterweight crown. Carl Froch and Jean Pascal?s thrilling war in England. Tomasz Adamek and Steve Cunningham?s fistic masterpiece just weeks ago. However at the end of the day Vaszquez and Marquez?s renewing of acquaintances for the super bantamweight title was another affair marked in blood and glory. It was my selection for 2008?s ?Fight of the Year?.
Joe Bruiser: Vazquez vs. Marquez III
In most other years, this wouldn?t even have been close, but 2008 closed out very strong after this February fight for the ages. However, Vazquez and Marquez showed once again that they leave it all in the ring, and fight at such an elite level that they just can?t be denied. Honourable mention to several other thrillers: Paquiao vs. Marquez II, Margarito vs. Cotto, Bute vs. Andrade, Casamayor vs. Katsidis, Holt vs. Torres II, Froch vs. Pascal, Cunningham vs. Adamek and Arreola vs. Walker.
Alden Chodash: Vazquez vs. Marquez III
Despite having to live up to the expectations set by the first two bouts taking place last year, the third battle set a new standard and delivered a tumultuous, breathtaking war which concluded in a sensational manner. In this particular trilogy, the fights continually get better, although more brutal, so this historic fight should appropriately draw the line to end this savage trilogy, and should also be appropriately named this year?s ?Fight of the Year?.
Luis Torres: Antonio Margarito vs. Miguel Cotto
2008 was an amazing year and off the top of my head I can think of at least five fights that could take this distinction. My heart has to side with Antonio Margarito?s defeat of Miguel Cotto. It was the most meaningful welterweight fight since the times of De La Hoya, Quartey, Trinidad and Withaker? and unlike some other marquee matchups this one delivered all that was expected and much more.
Anwar Jamison: Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito
For sheer entertainment value, there are other fights that could rival or surpass it, but seeing the massive amount of clean shots that actually connected in a fight between two of boxing brightest stars, I?ll take this clash for fight of the year.
Ivan ?LatinoPorVida? Montiel: Antonio Margarito vs. Miguel Cotto
Rizwaan Zahid: Vazquez vs. Marquez III
Many to choose from, but Vasquez-Marquez III was a storybook ending to a great trilogy. The fight was such a war that both of them are still recovering from their injuries, and on top of that they are thinking of doing it for a fourth time! Both have cut each other careers short with those fights, especially the third.
KO of the year:
Ace Freeman: Juan Urango KO 4 Carlos Wilfredo Vilches
If you didn?t have a chance to see this fight I suggest you immediately visit Youtube and search for it. In round four Urango lands a blistering right hook that nearly detaches Vilches? head from his body. The result saw the Argentinian fighter on the deck for several minutes unconcious. The scary side of boxing, but my choice for 2008?s ?KO of the Year? nonetheless.
Joe Bruiser: Manny Pacquiao KO 9 David Diaz
The left hand that dropped Diaz flat on to his face was a thing of beauty. The way Pacquiao timed it perfectly by stalling for just a moment before ?pulling the trigger? was absolutely masterful. There were a lot of great knockouts this year, but none that I watched again and again even close to as many times as I watched this one.
Alden Chodash: Bredis Prescott KO 1 Amir Khan
A silver medalist at the 2004 Olympics in Athens at the tender age of 17, Amir Khan started his career with a series of spectacular knockouts. As his level of opposition gradually increased, Khan found himself picking himself off the canvas but always coming back to win, often by knockout. Although his chin was noted as questionable, most people expected him to walkover relatively unknown Breidis Prescott, despite Prescott bringing an impressive record to the ring which included 19 wins, 17 by way of knockout without a defeat. Prescott started quickly and found a vulnerable Khan open for a left hook which ended his night, and his undefeated record in a flash. The situation and the devastating knockout are my reasons for naming this fight this year?s ?KO of the Year?.
Luis Torres: Paul Williams KO 1 Carlos Quintana
A couple of impressive knockouts come to mind but when it comes to the excitement/importance factoring in? Paul Williams first round stoppage over Carlos Quintana?s to avenge and earlier loss and reclaim the WBO welterweight title gets my vote.
Anwar Jamison: Breidis Prescott KO?s Amir Khan
This KO was a complete annihilation of his opponent by Prescott. The fact that Amir Khan was such a celebrated prospect made it even worse. I sometimes pop a bag of popcorn and watch it on youtube about 80 times back to back.
Ivan ?LatinoPorVida? Montiel: Juan Manuel Lopez KO 1 Daniel Ponce De Leon
Rizwaan Zahid: Too hard to choose?
Too many to choose from. Williams 160 debut against Andy Kolle was pretty destructive, but so was Pacman?s knockout of David Diaz. Mikkel?s Kessler?s devastating knockout of Daniel Haussler was impressive as well, as was Mosley?s last second KO (literally) of Ricardo Mayorga. There was many too choose from, and in this regard, not one knockout can receive this writer?s award.
Upset of the Year:
Ace Freeman: Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya
How could it be anything else? Like just about everyone else on the planet I really thought the size advantage Oscar had in this fight would be the primary factor in the fight. Hordes of media and experts labeled it a mismatch. It was? for Manny Pacquiao. Like ?Fighter of the Year?? Pacquiao walks away with this one.
Joe Bruiser: Manny Pacquiao KO 8 Oscar De La Hoya
I picked Pacquiao to win this, but I knew it would be a long shot. However, the ease with which he dominated the fight completely blew me away. The most obvious sign that this is a shoe-in for upset of the year lies in the fact that a large majority of people thought that it was a complete mismatch in Oscar?s favour and many were genuinely concerned for Manny?s health and well being. Honourable mention goes to Bernard Hopkins for his ageless execution of Kelly Pavlik.
Alden Chodash: Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya
Many experts argued why this fight was even taking place for simple, widely apparent reasons. Pacquiao?s a guy used to fighting at 130, now moving up 17 pounds in weight to face a former titleholder at 160, and not just any former titleholder, ?The Golden Boy? Oscar De La Hoya, one of the greatest fighters of the modern era. Oscar had an advantage in height, reach, and weight and in the eyes of legendary trainer Angelo Dundee, Oscar was just the plain better fighter. And many agreed. However, when they stepped into the ring all De La Hoya?s physical advantages were neutralized by Pacquiao?s stinging straight left hand which found its target all night. Pacquiao?s superiority reached the point where he was simply toying with De la Hoya by the seventh, and the surprising mismatch was stopped in the corner before round nine giving Pacquiao the stunning victory and creating 2008?s ?Upset of the Year?.
Luis Torres: Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya
During the months preceding the fight there was a lot of concern from the boxing community for Manny Pacquiao?s health. To see him dominate De La Hoya the way he did was highly unexpected.
Anwar Jamison: Bernard Hopkins over Kelly Pavlik
Shame on all us of who thought this was an upset but we did. Shame on us for underestimating Bernard Hopkins. I won?t do it again unless he?s still fighting in 20 years.
Ivan ?LatinoPorVida? Montiel: Darchinyan versus Mijares
Rizwaan Zahid: Bernard Hopkins UD Kelly Pavlik
A couple to talk about, but Hopkins win over Pavlik was nothing short of outstanding. Hopkins was supposed to get knocked out and embarrassed. Love him or hate him, that ?old man? said it best, ?How is he going to react when he finds out that they lied to him and he doesn?t have a 40 something year old in front of him?. That old man has earned this award.
Trainer of the Year:
Ace Freeman: Freddie Roach
Just like Manny Pacquiao took ?Fighter of the Year? honors with no one in his rear view mirror, Freddie Roach takes the honor for this one in spades. If you didn?t have a chance to review the in depth review of Roach?s comments and planning prior to the Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya fight, I suggest you take a moment: Freddie Roach?s prophetic comments ring true in aftermath. Like his pupil Manny Pacquiao, Roach had a year for the ages.
Joe Bruiser: Freddie Roach
It appears that Freddie knew what he was doing this year, despite taking a ton of criticism for putting Pacquiao in the ring with De La Hoya and I believe that it really comes down to the fact that he knows his fighter better than anyone else, knows exactly what he is capable of, and knows how to get the best from him when it matters most.
Luis Torres: Freddie Roach
Many people called him crazy while he was campaigning for the Pacquiao-De La Hoya fight. All along he claimed to have the perfect plan and it was just a matter of Manny following it to get the win. Both of them did the job, both of them get the prize.
Anwar Jamison: Javier Capetillo
Although I considered Freddie Roach here, I will go with Capetillo, who trained Antonio Margarito for wins over Kermit Cintron and Miguel Cotto. I give the nod to Capetillo because I feel that Pacquiao had so much of a speed advantage over De La Hoya that I think Roach?s role in that fight is overestimated.
Ivan ?LatinoPorVida? Montiel: Freddie Roach
Rizwaan Zahid: Freddie Roach
Always a difficult category since some trainers are better known than others. But Freddie Roach with his backing of Pacquiao alone during the year gains my vote.
Prospect of the Year:
Ace Freeman: Beibut Shumenov
Prior to 2008, Beibut Shumenov had just one professional fight. At the conclusion of the year, he is now 7-0 (5 KOs) with a win over a former world champion (Montel Griffen) under his belt in just his sixth professional fight. Shumenov?s exciting and fast paced style will make him one to watch out for as he looks to step it up even further in 2009.
Joe Bruiser: Chris Arreola
Although I had a hard time not taking guys like Shumenov, Gamboa and Ortiz, I still feel that Arreola proves that he is head and shoulders above his fellow prospects everytime he steps in the ring. He fought four times in 2008 and impressively beat another undefeated prospect Chazz Witherspoon before once again showing tremendous heart and
Alden Chodash: Yuriorkis Gamboa
Having only defected from Cuba in January, the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist jump-started a promising career with 12 victories (ten knockouts) without a defeat, several being televised, marquee wins. Gamboa?s combination of speed and power not only give him an edge against more experienced fighters, but they also make him a crowd-pleaser, and one who might easily end up with a title by the end of 2009. He?s certainly headed on the right track.
Luis Torres: Juan Manuel Lopez
?Juanma? started the year as one of boxing?s best prospect and finished it as a championship caliber force in one of boxing?s most competitive divisions. While he can no longer be considered a prospect due to his titlist status he did accomplish any prospect?s biggest goal during this year.
Anwar Jamison: Victor Ortiz
Ortiz looked dominating in a 3-0 year and I believe he will be very scary for many opponents in the not so distant future.
Ivan ?LatinoPorVida? Montiel: Victor Ortiz
Rizwaan Zahid: Too many to choose from?
Couple of guys to choose from. Yuriorkis Gamboa, James Kirkland, and little known Beibut Shumenov all progressed this year. Shumenov only seven fights into his career has five KO?s, and in his sixth fight impressively beat former champ Montell Griffin over 12 rounds. Kirkland and Gamboa has also continued to impress by showing their destructive power. All three are guys to look out for. We can?t forget Alfredo Anguelo either, but he has a fight against Ricardo Mayorga coming up, and Mayorga?s pre-fight tactics could cause enough of a distraction to upset the young star.
