Another year has come and gone in the world of boxing and it?s time to look back at the best, worst and most sublime that have taken place in this business. As usual, a lot took place in -and out of- the ring. Like I?ve said before, there?s nothing quite like this sport. I?m glad I got a press row seat to the circus…
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
1- Andre Ward: What was a long journey in the ?Super Six? finally came to an end as Ward conclusively outpointed Carl Froch to capture Showtime?s super middleweight tourney, establishing himself as the best 168-pounder on the planet. He?s not particularly exciting but he is incredibly effective.
2- Brian Viloria: Some believed that there was no more juice with ?The Hawaiian Punch? but this past year saw him capture his third major world title as he outpointed Julio Cesar Miranda. He then blasted out Giovani Segura with an exhibition of power punching and boxing. But can Viloria hold onto this title for longer than he has in the past?
3- Lamont Peterson: He and Barry Hunter rolled the dice by eschewing an opportunity to face Amir Khan last year in the UK by then taking Victor Cayo for pennies on the dollar in an IBF eliminator. He stopped Cayo late and then upset the applecart by defeating Khan in a spirited tussled late in the year.
4- Hernan Marquez: ?Tyson? went three-for-three but it will be his bookend victories over Luis Concepcion in which he will be remembered. Their first encounter (where Marquez stopped the Panamanian in 11 heats) is one of the great slugfests of recent ilk. In the rematch, Concepcion didn?t get out of the first.
5- Brandon Rios: ?Bam Bam? had a breakout year by winning the WBA lightweight title in thrilling fashion against Miguel Acosta and then hammering Urbano Antillon in a short but exciting affair. He finished off 2011 by banging out John Murray while weight drained. Rios has set the stage to becoming one of the marquee fighters in boxing.
