BIGGEST WINNER
Paulie Malignaggi: The fast-talking New Yorker said he fears he will be defined by his knockout loss to Ricky Hatton last year. I don’t think that will be the case. He has proved in two memorable fights against tough Juan Diaz that he is a better fighter than he showed against the durable Briton. In fact, he was never better than in his rematch with Diaz on Saturday in Chicago. He thoroughly outclassed a very good fighter, erasing the disappointment of his controversial loss to Diaz in August. He was quick, resilient and surprisingly fun to watch in a dominating performance. And this is just the beginning. He has become a player again at 140 pounds, meaning big fights lie ahead.
BIGGEST WINNER II
Timothy Bradley: Only one thing about Bradley seems to stand out -– his exceptional ability, both God-given and learned. He might’ve given the most-complete performance of his career to easily outpoint talented Lamont Peterson on Saturday in Rancho Mirage, Calif., near Bradley’s home. In the process, he capped off a very successful year: He beat Kendall Holt, had to settle for a no-contest against Nate Campbell even though he dominated the veteran and handled Peterson. Bradley probably is the best in a deep 140-pound division if we consider Manny Pacquiao a welterweight. He should get a chance to prove that on a bigger stage in 2010. Don’t be surprised if he emerges as a star.
MOST PREDICTABLE
Klitschko beats Johnson: Kevin Johnson earned the distinction of becoming only the second fighter to go the distance with Vitali Klitschko. Beyond that, it was a typical night for the all-but-unbeatable Ukrainian. Klitschko shut out Johnson on two cards and lost one round on the third. He won’t win any fighter of the year awards for 2009, which was dominated by Manny Pacquiao. However, he had a fine year, stopping Juan Carlos Gomez and Chris Arreola before dominating Johnson. The world would like him to face a challenge, perhaps against David Haye. More likely, there simply isn’t anyone out there who can cope with what he brings to the ring.
BIGGEST WINNER III
Victor Ortiz: The young junior welterweight fought a still-capable veteran Antonio Diaz on the Paulie Malignaggi-Juan Diaz undercard as he should’ve fought Marcos Maidana. Ortiz reminded us how beautifully he can box and how quickly and fiercely he can strike, landing some quick, sharp combinations and knocking Diaz down with a perfect left. He seemed to be picking up momentum when the fight was stopped because of Diaz’s cut. This victory certainly doesn’t erase his knockout loss to Maidana but he took a nice step in that direction. He should be a player in a deep junior welterweight division next year.
BIGGEST LOSER
Juan Diaz: Ronnie Shields, Diaz’s trainer, was asked the night before his rematch against Malignaggi whether Diaz would have an easier time the second time around. His answer: “No. This is a very tough fight.” How right he was. Diaz wasn’t quite as aggressive as he normally is, perhaps trying to lure Malignaggi inside, but he fought hard from beginning to end. His effort to stop Malignaggi in the final two rounds was inspiring and made for a thrilling finish. Diaz isn’t finished in spite of the setback. He’ll go back down to his more-natural weight of 135 pounds, where he’ll be able impose himself more effectively against smaller opponents.
BIGGEST LOSER II
Lamont Peterson: Peterson’s one-sided loss to Bradley will be remembered as only his first opportunity to take his place among the elite fighters. He’ll receive more chances before he’s through. On Saturday, he ran into an exceptionally talented fighter who is just hitting his stride. Peterson, also gifted, simply had never met anyone with that kind of ability and wasn’t completely prepared. The Memphis, Tenn., product will undoubtedly learn from the disappointing experience and come back much better than he was before he met Bradley.
BEST DIVISION?
Junior welterweight: The 140-pound division can hold its own against the super middleweight division, which has been front and center because of the Super Six Boxing Classic. Consider the names there: Bradley, Malignaggi, Ortiz, Maidana, Amir Khan, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, Devon Alexander, Kendall Holt … I could go on but you get the point. The possibilities are many and intriguing. Hatton and Marquez have agreed to meet but have yet to finalize a deal. And more deals, all intriguing in their own way, are sure to follow in what should be an exciting year.
MOST SHAMEFUL
U.S. Justice Department: The justice department is refusing to back a posthumous pardon for the late heavyweight champion Jack Johnson because of the resources required to research the case. Make that the INjustice department. Johnson was convicted on trumped up charges of transporting a woman over state lines for immoral purposes because racists couldn’t accept a black heavyweight champion. He went into exile and then spent time in prison as a result. He and his family, including living descendants, have had to live with the gross injustice for a century. I think it’s time the record is set straight. President Obama can still issue the pardon. Let’s hope he does.
MOST GUT-WRENCHING
Jermain Taylor’s decision: The former middleweight champion has decided to continue fighting and face Andre Ward in his next fight in the Super Six Boxing Classic, set for April 17. Most observers, including some of those close to him, called for him to retire because he’s been knocked out in three of his last five fights. I believe Taylor will give Ward a better fight than Mikkel Kessler did last month, although I think Ward will outbox him. However, we all wonder with great trepidation whether he could absorb another brutal knockout –- like those he suffered against Carlo Froch and Arthur Abraham, both in the final round -– without getting seriously hurt. Let’s hope he made the right decision.
BEST QUOTE
Kevin Johnson: “When I first met Vitali I told him, ‘You won’t knock me out.’ It wasn’t a hard fight.” He was quoted by The Associated Press as saying that after Klitschko shut out Johnson on two cards and lost one round on the third.
