By Paul “Paparazzi” Jones & Justin Jones – As the world celebrates the New Year, we reflect on the sweet science in 2016 by unveiling our yearly boxing awards: Fighter of the Year Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton Honorable Mention Vasyl ‘Hi-Tech’ Lomachenko Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez Fight of the Year Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman vs. Shawn ‘Showtime’ Porter* Carl Frampton vs. Leo Santa Cruz** This content is protected (* = ‘Paparazzi’ Jones’ pick; ** = Justin Jones’ … Read Article Article: Boxing247.com
I like that the articles are being posted here to make for interesting new threads. Frampton doesn't deserve 'Fighter of the Year' because it's not befitting for a 'Fighter of the Year' to duck Rigondeaux. Rigondeaux had his belt ripped away from him by corruption and essentially handed to Frampton. But given LSC was favourite, I understand. I feel like Frampton did capture the hearts of the boxing world and created a big buzz here. But, Lomachenko wins it for me for achieving history whilst delivering arguably the KO of the year, and psychologically KO'ing/paralysing an elite fighter in Walters. People have discredited Lomachenko's win a little it seems because of just how Walters quit - Walters is a killer, he was just killed. Salido vs Vargas wins my FOTY.
How is Canelo on the FOTY list? Frampton, Loma, Crawford, all fine, but Canelo? Joe Smith Jr, Andre Ward, Usyk, all had far better years than Canelo. His most noteworthy action in 2016 was handing over a certain WBC belt.
Canelo ? Are you effing serious ? Based on Smith and Khan ? The linear MW champ with a win over a jumped-up welter wt and a minor JM wt. And this in the same year as he relinquishes his WBC MW belt to avoid his mandatory ? What are you guys smoking ? This. As for Frampton, yes, deserved. Loma is a better fighter but Carl's two wins (Quigg for unification) and LSC for a new weight belt, are better than Loma's two wins.