End of Year Awards...

I thought I'd get the ball rolling with a few of my tips... Definitely open for debate, looking forward to reading other points of view.

Fighter of the Year: Manny Pacquaio.

Hard to go past the Pac-Man. A close, hard fought split decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC Super Feather title, before blasting out David Diaz for the WBC 135lbs title. He then steps up and bashes a weight drained Oscar De La Hoya at Welterweight, despite being a heavy underdog. Looks like 2009 will be a big year as well, with the Hatton fight all be sealed, Floyd Mayweather Jnr floating about and perhaps a trilogy with Marquez.

Honorable mention: Vic Darchinyan, Antonio Margarito, Joe Calzaghe.

Fight of the Year: Israel Vazquez v Raphael Marquez III

One of the legendary trilogies in boxing just kept getting better. Vazquez with a monumental final round to edge the fight by a razor thin Split Decision. Here's hoping the 4th installment is just around the corner.

Honorable mention: Margarito v Cotto, Adamek v Cunningham, Casamayor v Katsidis.

Round of the Year: Vazquez v Marquez III, Round 12.

Vazquez trailing on the cards gets a knockdown that he needed to edge it in a battle for the ages.

Honorable mention: Holt v Torres II, Round I.

Daylight Robbery of the Year: Valuev v Holyfield.
The title should've been going back to Atlanta with the Real Deal for a record 5th time. Yes the fight was dull, but Evander boxed the Yeti's ears off only to be robbed in one of the worst decisions in recent history. An appeal has been launched, so expect his Holyness to face the Wookie in 09.

Honorable mention: Toney v Oquendo.

Upset of the Year: Carlos Quintana W12 Paul Williams

Quintana decisions a listless Williams at 147lbs for the WBO strap in an upset very few saw coming.

Honorable mention: Prescott v Khan, Mora v Forrest, Holyfield v Valuev.

Knockout of the Year: Joel Casamayor KO10 Michael Katsidis
Katsidis had gained control of the fight at this stage after being dropped twice in the opening stanza. Casamayor looked to be on his last legs when a crushing left hook caught Rocky flush and knocked him silly.

Honorable Mention: Holt KO1 Torres, Mosley KO12 Mayorga, Juan Manuel Lopez KO1 Daniel Ponce de Leon

Hottest Prospect: Beibut Shumenov
He looks somewhat flawed, but it's hard to go against a guy with 7 fights, with 7 wins against the likes of Lavell Finger, Epifanio Mendoza and Montell Griffen.

Honorable mention: Yuriorkis Gamboa, Daniel Jacobs, James Kirkland, Alfredo Angulo.
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Look forward to it mate!

 

While he might by old, Shumanov still had only 5 fights under his belt. Plus Griffen was coming off a win over Corey Cummings. Gamboa is basically beyond being a prospect and I probably shouldn't have even listed him. Shumanov's opponents after 7 fights is impressive, he's a prospect in the truest sense of the word. I wouldn't be rushing in judging Shumanov just yet. His career is in it's infancy and with a bit more polish he'll get an opportunity. The fact he's fighting out of Vegas will help him no end.