On Wednesday, I presented part one of the top twenty boxing events from 2011. That story counted down from #20 to #6 (www.boxingtalk.com/admin/preview.php?aid=22872). Here now is the conclusion of last year’s wrap-up, the top five boxing events of 2011:
5. Floyd Mayweather (42-0) KO4 Victor Ortiz (29-3-2). MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. September 17th, 2011. No matter how you feel about Mayweather as a person, you cannot deny his phenomenal boxing skills. Also, the majority of the public would also admit that he and his team have done a pretty solid job of making each one of his fights an ?event.? His opponent Ortiz brought a lot to the table because of his charisma, strength, youth, and likability.
Many even thought Ortiz had the potential to be the next Oscar De La Hoya like star. From the opening bell, Mayweather seemed to beat his younger opponent to the punch, but could not really show any signs of slowing him down. Ortiz did not fight intimidated like many thought he would. By the fact that Ortiz was fighting in a way to size up Floyd for that ideal power shot, or combination of shots, it made the fight entertaining to watch. Unfortunately for the young lion, when he did land his most effective offensive onslaught, he could not contain himself and head butted the pound for pound superstar. That being followed by an action that has now coined it?s own phrase ?legal cheap shot,? made the ending to be quite climactic. Maybe not the climax fight fans wanted, but definitely got fight fans talking about what happened for quite some time.
4. Wladimir Klitschko (56-3) W12 David Haye (25-2). Imtech-Arena, Hamburg, Germany. July 2nd, 2011. This match up had boxing fans all over the world saying ?finally.? Finally, a heavyweight championship match up that was a fight you had to watch. Throw in all the trash-talk, the fact the fight had been tried to be made, and given these two fighter?s skills, the fight was a must watch. Due to Wladimir?s amazing dominance in the past, it has been hard to believe any fighter had any chance, killing a real global interest in watching him fight. Very disappointing considering he holds several heavyweight champion titles. Finally Haye comes along, and by bringing his skills, looks, and ability to talk a good game, the boxing public gained a big interest. It was thought to be the most hyped heavyweight showdown since Vitali Klitschko and Lennox Lewis. As many predicted, Klitschko dominated the fight with his strength and reach. Even though Haye was not very effective, he did survive, which against the Ukranian (with a KO 83%, one of the highest in heavyweight boxing history) is quite an accomplishment. Afterwards, the well-spoken Haye pointed out an injured toe, which appeared to be perfectly fine by many that saw it. Even though the fight did not have the fireworks that many were hoping for, or the usual Klitschko KO, it was a good event for the heavyweight division.
3. Marcos Maidana (31-2) W12 Erik Morales (52-7). MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. April 9th, 2011. The general feeling before this fight was a sense of nervousness. An overall fear that Erik Morales was going to get seriously hurt. No one believed that a warrior with nearly sixty fights, some of them wars, had anything left in the tank to defeat the young hard punching lion from Argentina. Boy, was the boxing public wrong. If there was one fight in 2011 that showed shades of Gatti-Ward, this was it. This fight kept your attention based on the fact you were waiting for Maidana to land that one murderous body shot. As fans waited to see that, they slowly took notice that Morales was beginning to be effective, and not only could survive, but could possibly win. By combining Morales?s swollen right eye, the intense Vegas crowd, and the HBO announce team, it added even more drama to this unforgettable contest. It was hard to believe both fighters were standing at the end of round twelve. Boxing fans love the sport because of the possibility of getting a big shock, and boxing fans definitely got that big shock by watching this war. Could this be the beginning of a new found Argentina-Mexico boxing rivalry?
2. Miguel Cotto (37-2) TKO10 Antonio Margarito(38-8). Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States. December 3rd, 2011. The storyline was intriguing unlike any other we had seen in years. Even though we may never know is Margarito loaded his gloves the first time, we are going to think we know, and Miguel Cotto deserved the right to get back in the ring and avenge his first defeat. Margarito seemed to embrace the role as the bad guy as he dressed in black, grew out his hair, and continued to talk trash and still claimed he had not cheated in their first showdown. ?The Tijuana Tornado? lost the respect of the public as fans understand how dangerous the sport is, and realize loading wraps could prove to be fatal to his opponent. So by the fact that the good old fashioned storyline of wanting to see the cheater get his, made this fight a must-see. Oh, did anyone mention the fact it was a Mexican vs. a Puerto Rican? Cotto dominated the fight from round one. The Puerto Rican superstar went on to give his disgraced opponent a beating that brought a smile to boxing fans all over the planet, in a way to make an example out of what happens to cheaters. There has not been a moment in recent boxing history where the Spanish word ?venganza? was more appropriate.
1. Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2) W12 Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1). MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. November 12th, 2011. A fight in which was supposed to give closure to the Filipino boxing icon and erase any doubts of who got the best of who in their past two battles. That closure never came. Both Mexican and Filipino fans were able to dedicate a Saturday night to see their countries pound for pound best settle the score for once and all. Few gave the thirty-eight year old Mexican much of a chance, but Marquez did more to prove he had a lot left in the tank. Many seemed to think this was Marquez?s best performance of all three fights. Both fights had their moments, both fighters showed their phenomenal boxing skills, and boxing intelligence. It seemed to be Manny?s speed versus Marquez?s powerful straight right. The most compelling image of the evening was the look on Manny?s face after the final bell. Definitely a look that boxing fans have never seen before. No matter what you thought of the outcome, no matter who you were supporting, it will go down in boxing history as a night you will never forget.
