For many ? especially those who gather in New York City’s Times Square ? the turning of the New Year is a time of celebration, hope and renewal. For others it represents a time of reflection; to recall the good and bad of the previous year and to assess where improvements can be made.
In that vein, the transition from 2012 to 2013 offers an opportunity to remember the best of what was. Many believe that Nonito Donaire, Juan Manuel Marquez, Brian Viloria, Leo Santa Cruz and Andre Ward ? among others ? were the best 2012 had to offer. In fact, ESPN has already named “The Filipino Flash” its Fighter of the Year and the guess is that he’ll receive quite a few more mentions before the dust settles. With four quality wins on his 2012 ledger Donaire has made a strong case for becoming the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighter in the post-Pacquiao/Mayweather era.
That said, it’s safe to say that no fighter in the modern era will ever duplicate the very best years produced during the various Golden Ages. Henry Armstrong may have produced the best back-to-back years in the sport’s history, for in 1937 he went 27-0 (26) and won the featherweight title from Pete Sarron while in 1938 he was 14-0 (10) and added the undisputed welterweight and lightweight titles in consecutive bouts. That level of activity will never happen again because the top fighters now can reap tens of millions fighting only twice a year.
If today’s financial structure were in place during the 1930s and 1940s, no one ? even Armstrong ? would have fought nearly as often. Boxing is a brutal sport even for the greatest ones and if “Hammerin’ Hank” ? or Harry Greb, Jimmy Wilde or Archie Moore for that matter ? could have fought less for more money they would’ve done so. Conversely, if yesteryear’s pay scale and broadcast environment were in effect today, our top stars would have had to fight 15 or 20 times a year just to pay the bills.
Therefore, it’s useless to assemble a top 10 list of “best boxing years” that blends the exploits of two completely different eras. It wouldn’t be a fair fight, for the old-timers’ numbers would overwhelm today’s best. That’s why this list will only go back to 1992, when the era of minimum fights for maximum money began to kick in.
So, without further delay, here’s one man’s opinion of the best 12-month stretches boxers have assembled in the last 20 years:
10. Naseem Hamed ? 1997: 5-0 (5)
At age 23, “The Prince” was nearing his physical peak but in terms of activity and accomplishments 1997 was his best. Already the WBO featherweight king since September 1995 and with four defenses under his belt, Hamed began the year by meeting longtime IBF titlist Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson in a rare unification fight on February 23. Johnson was underrated but respected, for his all-around game led him to 11 defenses in a five-year reign. By the time he met Hamed, however, Johnson was nearly 33 and the 10-year age difference was graphically evident once the first bell sounded. Hamed’s otherworldly speed and wicked power proved too much for Johnson, who was stopped in round eight soon after tasting a massive uppercut.
Hamed made two impressive defenses of the unified belts, stopping Billy Hardy in 93 seconds on May 3 and crushing 24-2 Argentine Juan Gerardo Cabrera in two on July 19. Hamed was stripped of his IBF belt in August for not meeting mandatory challenger Hector Lizarraga, who went on to beat Welcome Ncita for the vacant title that December. Instead, Hamed defended his WBO belt on October 11 against fellow southpaw Jose Badillo, whose only loss in 21 fights was to Johnson. Badillo lasted far longer than Hardy and Cabrera combined but he lost every round (60-54 twice, 60-53) before succumbing in the seventh.
Hamed’s star was skyrocketing worldwide and on December 19 he made his much heralded U.S. debut. Not only did he choose to fight ex-WBC titlist Kevin Kelley ? perhaps his best opponent to date in terms of pedigree and world-level experience ? he also opted to fight in the challenger’s hometown of New York City and at the hallowed Madison Square Garden. The fight far exceeded the considerable hype as they exchanged six knockdowns in less than four rounds. Though his shaky chin once again was exposed, Hamed had the final say with a crushing left to the temple. The spectacular ending left broadcasters and viewers alike shouting “we want more,” but as far as 1997 was concerned Hamed gave everything he could. (Click the “NEXT” button at the lower right corner of each page to view Nos. 9 through 1.)
9. Felix Trinidad ? 1994: 3-0 (2)
As Mike Tyson continued to serve time for his rape conviction promoter Don King dug deep into his stable in the hopes of finding new stars to fill the void. One emerged in the summer of 1993 when 20-year-old Felix Trinidad smashed Maurice Blocker in two rounds to capture the IBF welterweight title. “Tito” consolidated that win with two more over Luis Garcia (KO 1) and Anthony Stephens to round out that year.
Just 19 days after turning 21, Trinidad began 1994 with an all-Puerto Rico showdown with Hector “Macho” Camacho on Jan. 29. Trinidad-Camacho was part of a pay-per-view quadruple-header that included Thomas Hearns-Dan Ward, Simon Brown-Troy Waters and Frankie Randall’s monstrous upset of Julio Cesar Chavez. As for Trinidad, he methodically hunted down his fleet-footed quarry and, at times, was frustrated by the chase. He was docked a point for a low blow in round five but Camacho gave back that point in the 10th for excessive holding. In the end Trinidad won a decisive decision (119-106, 117-109, 116-110).
After becoming just the third man to defeat Camacho in 49 fights (Greg Haugen and Chavez were the others), Trinidad was forced by court order to defend against mandatory challenger Luis Ramon “Yory Boy” Campas, who entered the Sept. 17 bout with a daunting 56-0 (50) record. Trinidad’s management may have been fearful of facing Campas, but the fighter proved he certainly was not.
The fight didn’t start well for the Puerto Rican; a six-inch hook to the jaw dropped Trinidad in round two and after three rounds “Tito” trailed on two scorecards. But in round four Trinidad let loose with a series of blistering combinations that had Campas reeling about the ring. Somehow, the iron-chinned Mexican withstood the assault without going down but following a flush hook to the chin that violently snapped back his head, referee Richard Steele mercifully intervened.
Trinidad wound up the year by defending against the 32-0 Oba Carr and once again Trinidad’s chin let him down in round two. But as was the case against Campas ? and against Stephens the previous year ? Trinidad rallied strongly as he scored two knockdowns as well as the stoppage in round eight.
8. Michael Carbajal ? 1993: 3-0 (3)
When Carbajal turned pro in Feb. 1989 on the Roberto Duran-Iran Barkley undercard, promoter Bob Arum envisioned the 1988 U.S. Olympic silver medalist as an eventual million-dollar attraction. That dream came to fruition on March 13, 1993 when Carbajal, now the IBF junior flyweight titlist, met power-punching WBC belt-holder Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez in what was, by far, the biggest and most lucrative 108-pound showdown in history.
The fight was more than anyone could have hoped. A gorgeous series of moves culminated with a straight left that decked Carbajal in round two and a thunderous right hook scored a second knockdown in round five. But Carbajal hung in and worked for his own moment, which came in the seventh when he hurt “Chiquita” with a torrid right to the jaw. A concussive hook moments later put Gonzalez down for the count. The honors came in bunches; the bout was named THE RING Fight of the Year, Carbajal was deemed the magazine’s Fighter of the Year and “The Little Hands of Stone” vaulted into the pound-for-pound ratings.
Carbajal followed up his sensational win over Gonzalez with two more. On July 17 Carbajal met fellow 1988 Olympian Kwang Sun Kim, who won gold at 112 and who was considered one of the greatest amateurs South Korea had ever produced. Although he had only seven pro bouts, he was viewed as a genuine threat based on his spirited challenge against “Chiquita,” who he led on points before being stopped in the final round. Both men threw heavy shots throughout and by the fourth both men had swellings under one eye ? Carbajal the left and Kim the right.
Moments after tasting a right-left combo, Carbajal seized on Kim’s lowered guard and fires a bodacious hook that floors the Korean. Instead of using the eight-count to collect himself Kim rose too quickly and stumbled forward into Steele’s arms, prompting the stoppage.
Carbajal wrapped up his power-packed year with yet another knockout against yet another qualified challenger ? the 26-1 Dominican Domingo Sosa whose only loss, yes, was to “Chiquita.” Carbajal scored a flash knockdown in round one but an accidental butt produced a gory gash on the forehead. Desperate to produce a finish, the overzealous Sosa was twice penalized in round four for holding and punching low. Though hurt badly at the end of round four Sosa talked his corner into a final chance. Forty-eight seconds later the fight ? and Carbajal’s signature year ? was over.
7. Bernard Hopkins ? 2001: 2-0 (1)
Although “The Executioner” fought only twice, 2001’s impact on his career trajectory was profound. Up until now Hopkins was a known but not a universally embraced quantity. Yes, he had held the IBF middleweight title since April 1995 and had tied Marvelous Marvin Hagler for second place in division annals with 12 defenses, but he was not the clear-cut favorite entering the middleweight unification tournament set up by promoter Don King. That honor belonged to a relative newcomer to the 160-pound division ? Felix “Tito” Trinidad.
Trinidad, a longtime IBF welterweight titlist, rose to 160 following a short but productive stay at 154 and promptly won his third divisional title with a crushing fifth round TKO over WBA belt-holder William Joppy on May 12 to advance to the tournament final. Meanwhile, Hopkins previously filled the other slot with a lopsided decision victory (119-108, 118-109, 117-110) over perennial WBC titlist Keith Holmes on April 14 to unite their belts.
Entering the tournament final on Sept. 29 (a fight postponed two weeks by the September 11 terrorist attacks), Trinidad was such a heavy favorite that his name had already been etched into the Marvelous Marvin Hagler trophy that was to be presented after the fight. Hopkins, however, had far different plans.
Hopkins’ tactical genius was on full display as he neutralized Trinidad’s vaunted left hook and systematically picked him apart over the first five rounds. Trinidad’s only substantial rally occurred in round six and by the 10th it appeared Trinidad had punched himself out. Still, Hopkins took his time and near the midway mark of the 12th a huge right to the jaw dropped Trinidad. Though Trinidad arose at nine, his father and trainer Felix Sr. felt his son had taken enough and climbed into the ring.
Hopkins had achieved history on several levels. He was the first three-belt middleweight champion since Hagler 14 years earlier and the Trinidad victory lifted Hopkins into a tie with Carlos Monzon for the all-time lead in 160-pound defenses with 14. Finally, Hopkins was accorded the respect he long had sought because he was lifted toward the top of many pound-for-pound lists.
For Hopkins, 2001 was the ultimate demonstration of quality over quantity.
6. Nonito Donaire — 2012: 4-0 (2)
Although the 2012 Fighter of the Year award has yet to be bestowed as of this writing, Donaire’s deeds are worthy of this ranking. During a time when the top fighters risk their standing only twice a year ? and usually against hand-picked opposition ? Donaire went against the grain by fighting four times against either well-known or well-regarded competition.
Donaire entered 2012 as the WBC/WBO bantamweight titlist and on Feb. 4 he stepped up to 122 to fight Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. for the vacant WBO title. Vazquez had held the same belt from February 2010 until May 2011 when he shockingly lost it to Jorge Arce by 12th round TKO. After a third-round KO over faded former minimumweight titlist Roberto Leyva in October, Vazquez was back in the title chase against Donaire. Though the bout had several moments of two-way action Donaire appeared in control throughout as he hurt Vazquez badly in round three and scored a knockdown in the ninth en route to a split decision that many believe should have been unanimous.
Most other fighters in his position would have taken a tune-up but Donaire chose to unify on July 7 against IBF titlist Jeffrey Mathebula, a towering South African who personified the term “high-risk, low-reward.” Although Donaire scored a fourth-round knockdown, the lanky “Mongoose” controlled large portions of the fight with his busy jab and prolifically light combinations. With the fight seemingly still in the balance after 10 rounds, Donaire’s superior power turned the fight in the 11th when a looping blow broke Mathebula’s jaw. From that point on Mathebula went into survival mode and Donaire went on to capture a startlingly wide unanimous decision (119-108, 118-109, 117-110).
Donaire had hoped to unify further but the IBF stripped him after the fighter refused to take part in the mandatory weight-check the morning of his Oct. 13 showdown with longtime WBC titlist Toshiaki Nishioka. The Japanese veteran had his own issues with the sanctioning bodies because he was “elevated to champion emeritus” for his one-year layoff following his defense against Rafael Marquez. As a result, he had no belt to defend because Abner Mares won Nishioka’s “vacated” title by decisioning Eric Morel in April.
Politics aside, Donaire regained his impressive form by dropping Nishioka in round six before putting him away in the ninth. At the time of the TKO Donaire led 79-72 on two cards and 80-71 on the third.
Donaire’s final outing of 2012 came against 69-fight action hero Jorge Arce, who, since late 2010, was in the midst of an inspired career revival. After stopping Vazquez Jr. to gain the WBO super bantamweight belt, he avenged a previous loss to Simphiwe Nongqayi via fourth-round knockout and notched wins over Lorenzo Parra, and Mauricio Martinez along with a two-round no-contest against Jesus M. Rojas.
In the end, the 33-year-old Arce was no match for Donaire’s speed and power. He suffered knockdowns in rounds two and three as well as only the second KO defeat since his 1999 setback to Carbajal in Carbajal’s final fight. Seeing the writing on the wall, Arce announced his retirement immediately after the bout.
5. Manny Pacquiao — 2009: 2-0 (2)
Entering 2009 Pacquiao was experiencing a quantum leap upward in terms of technique, execution ? and poundage. After struggling to win a split decision against Juan Manuel Marquez at 126 in their second fight, Pacquiao wrapped up 2008 by destroying David Diaz to win a belt at 135 and blasting Oscar de la Hoya into retirement at 147. Pacquiao fought only twice in 2009, but those outings surely will comprise a sizable chunk of his career highlight reel.
On May 2 Pacquiao dropped down to 140 to meet THE RING junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton, who had bounced back from his lone loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. (at welterweight) by beating Juan Lazcano and Paul Malignaggi. Based on his highly physical style Hatton was thought to be the strength counterpoint to Pacquiao’s speed but once the action began it became clear Pacquiao trumped Hatton in every category.
Timing Hatton’s rushes perfectly, Pacquiao continually nailed “The Hit Man” with right hooks and left crosses down the middle. With a minute left in the opening round a right hook to the temple sent Hatton spinning forward to the floor and a flurry of blows capped by a left cross scored a second knockdown in the closing seconds. But as exciting as those knockdowns were the punch that ended the fight was Pacquiao’s signature moment. Just as Hatton was moving in Pacquiao uncorked a massive left to the chin that left the Briton motionless and flat on his back. Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach revealed after the fight that Pacquiao had acted on a Hatton trigger ? pumping his arms just before he threw a punch. Not surprisingly, the final result was deemed THE RING’s Knockout of the Year.
Observers got a much longer ? and more competitive ? look at Pacquiao on Nov. 14 against WBO welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto. The first four rounds featured plenty of back-and-forth action but even under fire Pacquiao improbably proved himself the superior one-shot hitter at 147 by flooring Cotto in rounds three and four. That show of power turned the fight irrevocably for the Filipino and only Cotto’s pride and bravery enabled him to sustain the beating Pacquiao dished out round after round. Cotto finally hit the wall early in the 12th as a volley of blows prompted referee Kenny Bayless to intervene at the 55 second mark. Not only was Pacquiao active (69 punches per round) he was accurate as he landed 43 percent of his total punches and 49 percent of his power shots. He out-landed Cotto 336-172 overall and connected on 276 power punches to Cotto’s 93. Pacquaio’s sensational performance heightened the calls for a Pacquiao-Mayweather superfight, calls that were fated to fall on deaf ears.
4. James Toney ? 2003: 2-0 (1)
Going into 2003, Toney was in a funk in terms of career advancement. While he had won 11 straight since suffering a 1-2 stretch between December 1996 and May 1997, Toney was treading water between cruiserweight and heavyweight. He weighed as much as 226 against Wesley Martin (KO 3) and as little as 187 versus Steve Little (W 12). The old-school skills were still there but the drive that pushed him to glory at 160 and 168 was not firing on all cylinders.
That all changed when he signed for an April 26 fight on HBO against IBF cruiserweight titlist Vassiliy Jirov, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist who forged his 31-0 (27) record on his extraordinary body attack. The challenge of winning a third divisional title motivated Toney, a boxing history buff, to get into tremendous condition, the effects of which definitely showed on fight night.
For years the rap on Toney was his inability to fight three minutes of every round and many believed Jirov’s smothering volume attack would exhaust the 34-year-old’s gas tank. But “Lights Out” fooled everyone by keeping pace with Jirov (68 punches to 86 per round) and being the far more accurate man (47 percent to 24 percent overall, 50 percent to 29 percent power). Jirov hurt himself by incurring a point penalty for low blows in the eighth but Toney hurt him even more by scoring a knockdown in the 12th that powered him to a 117-109 (twice), 116-110 decision.
Toney-Jirov was one of the year’s best fights and a rematch would have been an attractive option. But Toney had always yearned to succeed as a heavyweight and on Oct. 4 he met four-time heavyweight titlist Evander Holyfield on pay-per-view. Though the “Real Deal” was days away from his 41st birthday and had gone just 2-3-2 in his last eight fights, Holyfield still was thought to be too big and strong for the onetime middleweight. Toney proved the doubters wrong by producing his best heavyweight performance. Landing 61 percent of his total punches and 63 percent of his hooks, crosses and uppercuts, a solidly conditioned 217-pound Toney clinically carved up Holyfield before scoring a ninth round knockdown and forcing his corner to throw in the towel between rounds nine and 10.
The Jirov and Holyfield fights propelled Toney’s star back to the stratosphere in terms of in-the-ring form as well as his standing amongst fans and media. When one considered where Toney had been at the start of 2003, the accomplishments during this 12-month stretch were nothing short of amazing.
3. Floyd Mayweather Jr. ? 2001: 3-0 (2)
Since capturing THE RING’s Fighter of the Year honors in 1998, Mayweather lived a double life ? continued perfection inside the ropes and chaos beyond them. In 1999 and 2000, the man then known as “The Pretty Boy” had notched four defenses of his WBC super featherweight belt against solid opposition (Carlos Rios, Justin Juuko, Carlos Gerena and Gregorio “Goyo” Vargas) to bring his total to five but he wasn’t making much headway in terms of gaining the notoriety he wanted beyond the hard-core boxing fans. His out-of-the-ring issues ranged from the managerial (hiring rap mogul James Prince as his new manager) to the paternal (firing his father as manager and chief second) and the result was unusual stretches of inactivity. Six months elapsed between the Gerena and Vargas fights and seven more passed before his non-title ninth round TKO of Emanuel Augustus. The year 2001, however, would produce a far better story.
Mayweather began the year with a hastily arranged superfight with Diego Corrales, a bout which would have merged two belts had the IBF not stripped Corrales for daring to take the bout. While Mayweather wrestled with his issues, Corrales’ out-of-the-ring distractions were far more severe as he was facing a variety of charges that eventually resulted in jail time. The pre-trial stresses contributed to weight-making woes that surely affected his performance.
Even if Corrales had been perfectly prepared, he probably would have lost decisively to this version of Mayweather. In every conceivable way Mayweather was pristine; his mobility was dazzling, his combination punching was razor-sharp and his ring intelligence was far beyond what could have been expected of a 23-year-old. Also, the feud with Floyd Sr. appeared quiet for the time being as he held his infant granddaughter in the dressing room and accompanied his son into the ring. Mayweather’s sound mind and body produced a knockdown in the sixth, two in the seventh and two more in the 10th, prompting Corrales corner to signal surrender.
Next for Mayweather was a May 26 defense against Carlos “Famous” Hernandez, a fight that tested his resourcefulness like none other. Late in the sixth, Mayweather banged the knuckles of his left hand off the top of Hernandez?s head and the pain shooting up his arm forced him to turn away and take the only mandatory eight count of his career to date. Forced to fight outside his comfort zone, Mayweather resourcefully conjured an alternate game plan that not only kept Hernandez at bay but also allowed him to pile up enough points to earn a unanimous decision.
His final outing of 2001 took place Nov. 10 against top challenger Jesus Chavez, a swarming volume-puncher who was on a 32-fight winning streak. Though Chavez succeeded in imposing a fast pace, Mayweather willingly engaged him at close quarters before darting back to long range and pelting him with pinpoint counters. Several massive uppercuts snapped back Chavez?s head, and the accumulation of punishment moved corner man Ronnie Shields to halt the contest between rounds nine and 10.
2. Oscar de la Hoya ? 1997: 5-0 (2)
Following a year that saw him fight only twice, De La Hoya embarked on an ambitious schedule that, in hindsight, was one of the most challenging in recent memory. First, fights slated for January, April, June, September and December required almost constant training. Second, his opponents boasted a combined record of 199-7-3 ? or a sky-high .952 winning percentage. Finally, he went through the gauntlet with not one, not two, but three chief seconds: Jesus Rivero for fights one and two, Emanuel Steward for bouts three and four and Robert Alcazar for fight five. Given the confluence of circumstances it’s a wonder De La Hoya emerged with his perfect record intact.
De La Hoya started 1997 with his final defense of the WBC super lightweight title against ex-lightweight king Miguel Angel Gonzalez, who entered the bout with a 41-0 (32) record. De La Hoya was incredibly sharp in every department as he landed 64 percent of his total punches, 62 percent of his power shots and ? extraordinarily ? 66 percent of his jabs. In all he landed 212 jabs en route to a lopsided decision. The only imperfection was swelling over and under his left eye.
Fight number two was a highly anticipated showdown with WBC welterweight champion Pernell Whitaker, still considered one of the very best pound-for-pound despite his unexpected war with Diosbelys Hurtado last time out. Whitaker’s puzzling southpaw style befuddled “The Golden Boy” and a flash knockdown in round nine only added to his troubles. But De La Hoya pushed the action throughout and won enough of the close rounds to win a wider-than-thought unanimous decision as well as his fourth divisional crown.
The difficulties he experienced against Whitaker led to Rivero’s firing and Steward’s arrival. When De La Hoya fought 28-1 Kenyan David Kamau ? who gave Julio Cesar Chavez a stirring challenge in their title bout the previous year ? the difference in De La Hoya’s in-ring attitude was evident. Instead of the scientific boxing preferred by Rivero, De La Hoya came out smoking and dusted Kamau in two rounds.
In September “The Golden Boy” fought Hector “Macho” Camacho to test whether the Whitaker fight taught him anything about fighting slick southpaws. The verdict: An emphatic yes. De La Hoya dominated Camacho and scored a ninth-round knockdown en route to a decisive decision. The only thing that spoiled an otherwise perfect evening was that De La Hoya didn’t collect on his side bet with Camacho: Cutting the Puerto Rican’s trademark spit curl in the ring.
With original trainer Alcazar back in the corner, De La Hoya concluded his Golden Year with an eighth round TKO over Wilfredo Rivera, who twice troubled Whitaker before losing decisions. De La Hoya had no such issues against Rivera, who trailed 70-63, 60-63 and 68-63 before bowing out.
1. Glen Johnson ? 2004: 3-0 (1)
Few years have ever changed the perception of a fighter more dramatically and favorably than Johnson experienced in his signature year ? and that’s why his 2004 campaign sits atop this list.
At the start of 2004, Johnson was what he had been for the majority of the past six years ? a hard-luck battler who, because he lacked the star power to attract title opportunities at home, was forced to travel abroad and lose heartbreakingly close decisions. He lost verdicts to IBF super middleweight titlist Sven Ottke in Germany, to Silvio Branco in Italy, to Omar Sheika in Philadelphia, to Derrick Harmon in Las Vegas, to Julio Cesar Gonzalez in California. He also notched draws to Daniel Judah in Connecticut and, in his final fight of 2003, to Clinton Woods in England for the vacant IBF light heavyweight title.
But 2004 would start out far differently for Johnson. The draw verdict in November 2003 mandated a Feb. 6 rematch, again in England, against Woods. This time he emerged with a close but unanimous decision to finally become a major titlist in his fourth attempt. While winning a belt would qualify as a great year for any fighter, what Johnson achieved in his next two fights would lift “The Road Warrior” to heights that positively affected him for the rest of his career.
Just four months after suffering a shocking second-round knockout to Antonio Tarver, Roy Jones Jr. thought the quickest route back to the top was through Johnson, who, knowing a big payday when he saw one, immediately accepted Jones’ challenge. The bout was set for Sept. 25 in Memphis, neutral ground for both Florida-based fighters but not exactly an unbiased crowd as most rooted for Jones.
Using a highly effective swarming style from first bell to last, Johnson steadily wore down a defensive-minded and inactive Jones to build a solid lead on the scorecards. After eight rounds many observers began to envision an upset by clear-cut decision but Johnson had one final surprise in store in round nine. A crushing overhand right to the temple caused Jones’ body to strike the canvas with a thud and for several frightening moments he was unconscious. If anyone had doubts about Johnson?s worth before, the one-punch KO over Jones drove home the point in most emphatic fashion.
The Jones victory earned Johnson a fight with Tarver, and though the minor IBO belt was on the line the real prize was recognition as the best 175-pounder on earth. The pair engaged in a see saw fight that was tension-filled throughout, and Johnson emerged with a split decision victory ? his third consecutive upset. The trio of huge wins vaulted Johnson into the top echelon in terms of public recognition, ability to attract big-money opportunities and his final legacy. That legacy received a big initial boost when Johnson was named THE RING’s Fighter of the Year. For the next eight years Johnson remained on the top shelf of the sport, and that standing was largely due to what he did in 2004.
?I am not the best out here,? Johnson said after knocking out Jones. ?Just the one who is willing to fight the best.? But by fighting the best ? and beating the best ? Johnson enjoyed the greatest year of his generation.
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Even though the scope of this list encompassed just 20 years, whittling the candidates down to 10 was still an arduous process that excluded more than a few worthy candidates. Twenty-one years that earned honorable mentions include, in alphabetical order:
* Iran Barkley, 1992: 3-0 (1) ? Stopped Darrin Van Horn to win the IBF’s 168-pound belt, decisioned Thomas Hearns to capture WBA light heavyweight title and stopped Robert Folley in four.
* Julio Cesar Borboa, 1993: 4-0 (3) ? Stopped Robert Quiroga to win IBF super flyweight belt, then defended against Joel Luna Zarate (W 12), Carlos Mercado (KO 3) and ex-flyweight belt-holder Rolando Pascua (KO 5).
* Juan Martin Coggi, 1993: 7-0 (6) ? Dethroned WBA super lightweight titlist Morris East (KO 8) and notched defenses against Jose Rivera (KO 7), Hiroyuki Yoshino (KO 5), Jose Rafael Barboza (W 12), Guillermo Cruz (KO 10) and Eder Gonzalez (KO 7) while notching a non-title win over Domingo Martinez (KO 3).
* Luis Collazo, 2005: 4-0 (3) ? Knocked out journeymen Kevin Carter and Richard Heath before upending WBA welterweight titlist Jose Antonio Rivera in a Closet Classic and impressively stopping Miguel Angel Gonzalez in eight to defend his belt.
* Miguel Cotto, 2007: 3-0 (2) ? Defended WBA welterweight belt with 11th round TKOs over Oktay Urkal and Zab Judah as well as a thrilling 12-round verdict over Shane Mosley.
* Oscar de la Hoya, 1995: 4-0 (3) ? Decisioned John John Molina in 12, iced Rafael Ruelas in two to unite the IBF and WBO lightweight belts and notched KO defenses against Genaro Hernandez and Jesse James Leija.
* Danny Garcia, 2012: 3-0 (2) ? Twice defeated Erik Morales (W 12, KO 4) and united the WBA and WBC super lightweight titles by knocking out Amir Khan.
* Naseem Hamed, 1998: 2-0 (1) ? Stopped recently stripped WBA featherweight titlist Wilfredo Vazquez Sr. and decisioned Wayne McCullough in WBO featherweight defenses.
* Bernard Hopkins, 1997: 3-0 (2) ? Knocked out John David Jackson and Glen Johnson as well as decisioning Andrew Council to keep IBF middleweight title.
* Philip Holiday, 1996: 4-0 (2) ? Kept IBF lightweight title by beating John Lark (KO 10), Jeff Fenech (KO 2), Joel Diaz (W 12) and Ivan Robinson (W 12).
* Roy Jones Jr., 1994: 3-0 (2) ? Starched Danny Garcia (KO 6) and Thomas Tate (KO 2) before dominating a weight-drained James Toney to win his second divisional title.
* Erik Morales, 1999: 4-0 (3) ? Successfully defended WBC super bantamweight title against Angel Chacon (KO 2), Juan Carlos Ramirez (KO 9), Raynante Jamili (KO 6) and Wayne McCullough (W 12).
* Shane Mosley, 1998: 5-0 (5) ? Defended IBF lightweight title with knockouts over Demetrio Ceballos, John John Molina, Wilfredo Ruiz, Eduardo Morales and Jesse James Leija.
* Manny Pacquiao, 2008: 3-0 (2) ? Earned a split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez and scored knockout victories over WBC lightweight titlist David Diaz and a comebacking Oscar de la Hoya.
* Saen Sor Ploenchit, 1994: 4-0 (1) ? Captured WBA flyweight title from David Griman (W 12), then out-pointed ex-champs Jesus “Kiki” Rojas, Aquiles Guzman and Yong Kang Kim in title defenses.
* Frankie Randall, 1994: 3-1 (1) ? Stopped Julio Cesar Chavez’s 90-fight unbeaten streak by split decision to win WBC super lightweight title, lost it back via hotly disputed eight-round technical decision, out-pointed Juan Martin Coggi to capture WBA 140-pound title and defended it by stopping Rodney Moore in seven.
* Johnny Tapia, 1995: 6-0-1 (1) ? Defended WBO super flyweight belt four times against Jose Rafael Sosa (W 12), Ricardo Vargas (Tech. Dec. 8), Arthur Johnson (W 12) and Willy Salazar (KO 5) while mixing in non-title 10-round decisions over Jesse Miranda and Raul Rios.
* Felix Trinidad, 2000: 3-0 (2) ? Decisioned David Reid to win WBA super welterweight belt, stopped Mamadou Thiam in three and halted Fernando Vargas in 12 to unite WBA and IBF titles.
* Julio Cesar Vazquez, 1994: 6-0 (2) ? Defended WBA super welterweight belt six times against Juan Ramon Medina (W 12), Armand Picar (KO 2), Ricardo Nunez (W 12), Akhmet Dottuev (KO 10), Winky Wright (W 12) and Tony Marshall (W 12).
* Andre Ward, 2011: 2-0 (0) ? Decisioned Arthur Abraham to earn a spot in the Super Six final, then out-pointed Carl Froch to win the tournament and merge the WBA and WBC super middleweight titles.
* Pernell Whitaker, 1993: 1-0-1 (0) ? Won third divisional crown by outpointing WBC welterweight titlist Buddy McGirt and appeared to out-point Julio Cesar Chavez in boxing’s last head-to-head fight for pound-for-pound supremacy only to be given a draw.
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Photos / Al Bello-Getty Images (Hamed-Kelley, De La Hoya-Whitaker and Cotto-Mosley), John Gurzinski-AFP (Mayweather-Corrales), Ethan Miller-Getty Images (Pacquiao-Hatton and De La Hoya), Naoki Fukuda (Donaire-Mathebula)
All RING covers / The Ring Magazine-Getty Images — Click here to order back issues of THE RING (scroll down the page)
Lee Groves, a boxing writer and historian based in Friendly, W.Va., can be emaPhotosiled at [email protected]. He is a full member of the BWAA, from which he has won seven writing awards, including a first-place for News Story in 2011. He has been an elector for the International Boxing Hall of Fame since 2001 and is also a writer, researcher and punch-counter for CompuBox, Inc. He is the author of “Tales From the Vault: A Celebration of 100 Boxing Closet Classics.” To order, please visit Amazon.com or e-mail the author to arrange for autographed copies.
