My vote is for Emanuel Navarrete(who? they ask). Dude defended his title 4 times this year and won all by stoppage. At least deserves an honorable mention.
Yeah but can't you use that same argument for Kovalev. I would say Kovalev was closer to getting knocked out than Thurman was. Also Thurman is younger and fresher while Kovalev is definitely more shot. But I will say the Jacobs win is miles better than the Broner win, and arguably even the Thurman win.