Well, I was hoping to write this when knew what was actually happening with the megabout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.
Alas, who knows when that is going to happen? Let’s get started with some awards for 2009 as here we are in 2010. Only criteria for this is I had to see the fight/fighter.
Boxing Fighter of the Year – Manny Pacquiao
Whew, what a tough selection. Almost had this penciled in after the two-round demolishing of Ricky Hatton in May. But cemented it with that sensational outing vs. Miguel Cotto in November.
Not really much more you can possibly say about Pacquiao. He has risen to the occasion every single time he’s been pushed lately.
All that is left is the bout with Mayweather. Here’s to hoping it happens sooner than later. All the negative press the two have received (rightfully so) over the last couple of weeks goes out the window if the fight actually comes off.
There is nothing to not like about Pacquiao. He’s always in exciting fights, always gives the fans their money’s worth. And he’s no defensive wizard, so he always gets tested.
2010 might be his year yet again.
Runner-up: Timothy Bradley. Has come a long way since upsetting Junior Witter. I don’t know if there is a fighter that works harder than Desert Storm. Has quickly becoming a ‘can’t-miss’ fighter.
Honorable mentions: Andre Ward (big wins against Edison Miranda and Mikkel Kessler). Paul Williams (wiped out Winky Wright and won classic vs. Sergio Martinez). Carl Froch (resounding KO of Jermain Taylor and gutted it out against Andre Dirrell).
MMA Fighter of the Year – Lyoto Machida
After a great knockout of Thiago Silva, thought he was ripe for the pickin’ by Rashad Evans. WRONG, dead wrong. His dominating performance against Evans wins this for me.
Machida was awarded a decision against Shogun Rua in his last bout. Many felt Rua won the bout. But as is, Machida got the W and continues to roll.
The Dragon wasn’t really on my radar entering 2009, that won’t be the case anymore. Trying to keep that momentum will be a tough chore.
Runner-up: George St. Pierre. If you know me, this isn’t much of a shock as I’m a big GSP fan. He only fought twice, so that never really had him in the running for Fighter of the Year.
However, in his two bouts, he was sensational in dominating B.J. Penn and Thiago Alves.
Honorable mentions: Gilbert Melendez (didn’t get to see too many of his bouts, but his decision win against Josh Thomson for the Strikeforce lightweight title was one of the best fights of the year). B.J. Penn (yea, he lost, but his destruction of Diego Sanchez alone has him included). Anderson Silva (the Spider is still the best). Fedor (because he’s, you know, Fedor).
