Everybody has their personal choice for Fighter of the Year, but I just cant imagine any of those others doing what Robert The Ghost Guerrero did in 2012. No doubt in my mind Guerrero is the Fighter of the Year in 2012. A number of other categories are on this list including Prizefight of the Year, Knockout of the Year, Round of the Year, Upset of the Year, Comeback of the Year, and several others, including this years top ring officials. Well start off with the Fighter of the Year. When Guerrero was injured during training almost two years ago, he was still a 135-pound lightweight who had defeated Michael Katsidis. An injury to his shoulder forced him to cancel a fight and the world did not hear about the Gilroy, California fighter until last summer. Thats when he told Golden Boy Promotions he was ready to jump back in the ring. They offered a tune up fight, he shook his head and demanded the best fighter available. No one at lightweight or junior welterweight accepted an offer to fight Guerrero. Instead of waiting, Guerrero jumped two weight divisions and told Golden Boy he would fight anyone in the welterweight division. Anyone. Still, there were few takers and were talking about going down the list of boxings most talented weight division. Only one fighter accepted the match and it was an undefeated welterweight named Selcuk Aydin. Aydin had been training in Las Vegas and allegedly sparred with Floyd Mayweather. According to some sources Aydin was a handful and everyone that stepped in the ring with the heavy-handed prizefighter did not want any more. Though boxing fans did not know Aydin, the fighters, trainers and promoters knew all they needed to know. Many predicted Aydin would knock out Guerrero. Golden Boy signed Aydin to a contract. Guerrero was offered a fight with Aydin and didnt hesitate to accept the challenge. Despite the fact he had never fought as a welterweight, and was coming off a 15-month layoff, the Northern California southpaw eagerly accepted the fight. Aydin promised to break Guerreros jaw. The Ghost replied to bring it on. After 12 tumultuous rounds on July in San Jose, Guerrero proved he could bang with the bigger 147-pounders, including the much feared Aydin. Guerrero won by unanimous decision and asked his promoters, whos next? Two-time world champion Andre The Beast Berto accepted the fight and Guerrero didnt hesitate to sign the contract. Because Berto is managed by Al Haymon the match was shown on HBO and held at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. Fans and experts were split down the middle on who would win between Guerrero and Berto. Sure, the Ghost had defeated Aydin, but Berto was a different fighter altogether. Most cited the former champions athleticism as a distinct advantage, ignoring Guerreros own athleticism. It was kind of comical to hear the reasons many felt Guerrero was out of his league. From the opening bell Guerrero dominated the fight and floored Berto twice in winning a brutal 12-round welterweight fight by unanimous decision. Berto recovered from two knockdowns to put up stiff resistance but never really could hurt Guerrero. Even after the impressive performance HBO commentators were still not convinced though they were ringside and could clearly see Guerrero dominated. Now think back and remember Guerrero began his pro career as a 122-pound junior featherweight. Could you imagine any 122-pounder today competing as a 147-pound welterweight? Guerrero is the clear cut Fighter of the Year for 2012. It was an amazing performance when you consider he jumped two weight divisions without a tune up fight. Not even the great Hands of Stone Roberto Duran or Sugar Shane Mosley had jumped from lightweight to welterweight without a tune up fight or two. Honorable mention: Brandon Rios, Danny Swift Garcia, Timothy Desert Storm Bradley, Abner Mares, Andre Ward, and Nonito Donaire.
1. Donaire (big gap) 2. Marquez 3. Froch 4. Garcia (big gap) 5. Mario Rodriguez 6. Trout 7. Viloria 8. Guerrero 9. Sergio 10. Wladimir Forgot about Matthysse, he'd probably leap frog Guerrero. Also, yes, Guerrero should be below Sergio too, my bad.
Guerrero went life and death with a turk and fought berto coming off a layoff . . . . . hes no where near foty. Martinez on the other hand fought Mathew Macklin who should have been WBA champion and Chavez who was WBC champ
Nonito Donaire - Vazquez Jr - vacant WBO Super Bantamweight Jeffrey Mathebula - IBF Super Bantamweight Toshiaki Nishioka - Former WBC Super Bantamweight champion Jorge Arce - Multiple weight division champion Scored 7 knockdowns, 2 knockouts, whilst picking up 2 belts. Alls thats left for him now is to fight Mares and Rigondeaux for the WBA abd WBC and ill admit I was one of the people backing Rigo to beat him but seeing his chin exposed im picking Donaire via knockout, Mares is the tougher matchup 2013 Abner Mares - WBC Super Bantamweight Belt Guillermo Rigondeaux - WBA Super Bantamweight Belt Orlando Salido - WBO Featherweight Belt
Its a very poor choice, he probably just scrapes the top ten in truth. Donaire Ward (if it includes the Froch win) Viloria Mares Sergio Marquez Ricky Burns Danny Garcia Are all ahead of him IMO
Fighters of the year: 1. JMM 2. Danny Garcia 3. Donaire 4. Ward 5. Trout 6. Froch 7. Martinez 8. Broner 9. Viloria 10. Guerrero Guerrero is literally the 10th most deserving fighter for this award, he's not even close to beign a runner up! this is a load of **** along with the top 10 ranking of Guerrero to try and legitimize the Floyd fight. **** these clowns and the direction they've taken.
