Ted Sares’s Top Boxing Awards for 2009: Pacquiao, Mosley, Roach, More!

By Boxing News - 12/27/2009 - Comments

Image: Ted Sares’s Top Boxing Awards for 2009: Pacquiao, Mosley, Roach, More!By Ted Sares:

1. Fighter of the Year: Manny Pacquiao

An easy choice this year. After retiring Oscar De La Hoya late in 2008, he rendered unconscious Ricky Hatton in two and then stopped Miguel Cotto after he finally chased him down in the 12th round. Manny is THE event fighter in boxing going into 2010.

2. Fight of the Year: Bernard Dunne vs. Ricardo “Maestrito” Cordoba

Dunne was dropped and hurt badly twice in the fifth round while his Panamanian opponent was decked in the third and then three times more in the eleventh round after which the fight was finally stopped in front of a roaring crowd in Dublin.

3. Round of the Year: Round twelve, Rogers Mtagwa vs. Juan Manuel Lopez

“Juanma” was almost taken out by “The Tiger” from Philadelphia by way of Tanzania, but fought back to survive the grueling round and win the fight with his title on the line. “The Tiger” is the kind of guy that can make this list in different categories every year.

4. Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: Yonnhy Perez

At 20-0, he first stopped Silence Mabuza in South Africa in the 12th round to win the IBF bantamweight title eliminator. Then, in a great fight which featured incredible punch volume, he beat Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko to win the title. Though born in Colombia, he has done all of his work in the U.S and mostly in California. This stylist will be tough to dethrone.

5. Upset of the year: Juan Carlos Salgado over Jorge Linares

Undefeated WBA super featherweight champion Linares is dropped twice in the first round by unknown Salgado and loses his title in Tokyo in a shocker.

6. KO of the Year: Pacquiao over Ricky Hatton in round two

It was decisive, scary and chilling. It was the kind that should make the victim think about other career options and left observers worrying about his future well being.

7. Most Exciting Fighter of the Year: Manny Pacquiao

Who else? With his speed, in-and-out whirlwind style, and malefic punches coming from every angle, he brings electricity into the ring every time he fights.

8. Comeback Fighter of the Year: Sugar Shane Mosley

After so-so performances against Miguel Cotto in 2007 and Ricardo Mayorga in 2008, Sugar Shane was seen as aging and was not expected to do much against the then imposing (but soon to be disgraced) Antonio Margarito who had demolished the same Cotto. Instead, he fought an almost perfect fight destroying the “Tijuana Tornado” in brutal fashion over 9 furious rounds. SSM is back and good to go.

9. Worse Decision of the Year: Ali Funeka vs. Joan Guzman

American judge Joe Pasquale had it right at 116-112. The two Canadian judges had it wrong at 114-114 for a majority draw. All one had to do was to look at Guzman’s face at the end of the fight to know how awful this decision was.

10. Trainer of the Year: Freddie Roach

He trains Manny Pacquiao. Enough said. But for some icing on the cake, he also has done a great job with Amir Khan.

11. Ugliest Boxing Moment of the Year

Heavyweight Joey Abell’s after-the-bell KO over fellow-Minnesota resident Raphael “The Silencer” Butler (35-8) in the first round on December 4 resulted in Butler being silenced with what looked to be a sucker punch. As Butler lay unconscious, his corner man ran into the ring after Abell upon which Abell’s corner joined the fray. What ensued was a mini-riot and a no-contest.

12. Ugliest Boxing story of the Year

“Wrap Gate” featuring Antonio Margarito and trainer Javier Capetillo who were suspended after their instantly infamous handwrap controversy in January.

13. Good Guy of the Year Award: Showtime announcer Nick Charles

Like a fighter, just give me one round at a time and I’ll eventually win. I have a positive attitude, a strong Christian faith, and an amazing support system especially within the boxing family.
Nick Charles

Nick, a class act indeed has been behind the microphone to call hundreds of fights. Now, he has his own fight as he battles bladder cancer. Nick warrants the prayers of every boxing fan and our collective wishes for a full and complete recovery.



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