This being the end of yet another successful year in the manly art of boxing, here?s a list of winners and losers.
1) Boxer of the Year: Manny Pacquiao. Though he fought only twice, each time in Cowboys Stadium, he?s the clear-cut choice. Then again, after having stepped into the ring 57 times, with 52 victories, including 13 straight, and you?re the best in the world, you don?t need more than two. Blessed with blinding hand-speed, super-keen reflexes, and the ability to go the distance, the Pac-Man laid waste to Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito, earning unanimous decisions. Like everyone, though, we?re all waiting for Pacquiao and undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. to lace them up for the mega-fight.
2) Fight of the Year: Pacquiao vs. Margarito. Pure art from the start. The Pac-Man pounded and bloodied the Mexican?s face, eyes and body across a dozen rounds. This reporter gave the Filipino icon every round.
3) Knockout of the Year: Sergio Martinez vs. Paul Williams. It happened last month in Atlantic City in the second round. Martinez delivered the punch with such calm, ease, and precision that Williams didn?t know what hit him.
4) Rookie of the Year: Frankie Gomez. The 18-year-old junior welterweight from East Los Angeles is on the fast-track to stardom. Seven wins in as many bouts, with six coming by way of knockout. None other than Oscar De La Hoya called him a superstar in the making.
3) Comeback Boxer of the Year: Antonio Margarito. His career could have been over, what with the hand-wraps charge. For now and hopefully forever, this is in the past. Margarito showed extreme courage while standing in the middle of the ring against the much-faster Pacquiao and refused to quit, even when being battered. This speaks to his heart, if not his head.
6) Trainer of the Year: Freddie Roach. The New England native and Southern California resident who owns and operates the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood is the man behind Pacquiao and many other elite boxers, including emerging star Amir Khan. One of the greatest cornermen ever, Roach is on par with the legendary Angelo Dundee, the best I?ve witnessed.
7) Promoter of the Year: Oscar De La Hoya. Even after calling it quits as a boxer, he?s still the Golden Boy. Everything he touches eventually turns to money. Bob Arum comes in a close second.
Worst Fight of the Year: Pacquiao vs. Clottey. It became clear in the opening round what the heavy underdog planned. For 12 rounds, Clottey held his hands in front of his face and hardly threw a punch. This was something no one wanted to see.
9) Most Over-Rated Boxer: Chris Arreola. Said he hoped to be the first-ever Mexican-American heavyweight champion, which should be applauded. But he?s usually overweight and out of shape, like he was in matches against Tomasz Adamek this past April, and Vitali Klitschko in September of 2009 at the Staples Center. Arreola lost both when his wind and endurance failed him. Best advice: Keep away from hamburgers, french fries, and soft drinks.
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