Well before New Year?s Day, I was already fatigued with the endless pronouncements of the best of 2011. How many more times could I read why Andre Ward was someone?s ?Fighter of the Year? or ever care which was his favorite knockout? Granted, some are more amusing than others. Steve Kim?s awards are entertaining and Matthew Paras? ?Anti-Fighter of the Year? was a nice twist but I like looking forward, presenting those East Coast fighters to keep an eye in 2012.
So after my very brief 2011 awards, let?s look at what this New Year has to offer the East Coast boxing fans.
Co-Fighters of the Year:
Adrien Broner, Super Featherweight, Cincinnati, Ohio Lamont Peterson, Junior Welterweight, Washington DC
Love him or hate him, no other East Coast fighter made the strides Broner did in 2011. He started the year against John Revish and finished with the WBO belt. After a lackluster HBO debut against Daniel Ponce de Leon, Broner thumped Jason Litzau and became possibly the most avoided fighter today, as Ricky Burns and Roman Martinez have turned down the chance to face ?The Problem.?
Peterson was an easy choice after he stunned the boxing world with his split decision upset of Amir Khan.
