By Matthew Aguilar, El Paso Times
With the end of 2009 drawing to a close, it's time to recognize the year's best work.
Fighter of the Year
Manny Pacquiao: Pacquiao's dominance was again the year's biggest headline -- as it was in 2008. The Filipino superstar followed up a December dismantling of Oscar De La Hoya by flattening the recognized junior welterweight champ, Englishman Ricky Hatton, in two rounds in May. He then outslugged perhaps the best 147-pounder in the world, Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto, for a 12th-round TKO in November.
The Hatton knockout was explosive and brief -- as picturesque as it was brutal. The Cotto victory was a systematic drubbing of a bigger, stronger man. Combine them, and you have a masterpiece of a year. Indeed, the last 24 months for "Pac-Man" have been perhaps the most comprehensive, entertaining and impressive body of work of any boxer over the last decade, as Pacquiao showed a versatility that very few fighters -- even elite fighters -- ever realize.
If Floyd Mayweather Jr. ever gets the nerve to actually fight him, Pacquiao could garner his third "Fighter of the Year" award in as many years in 2010.
Fight of the Year
Juan Manuel Marquez KO 9 Juan Diaz: For about four rounds back on Feb. 28, Marquez -- generally regarded at the time as boxing's second-best pound-for-pound fighter -- had the look of a confused man. Diaz, the bigger fighter, had attacked Marquez from the outset -- pinning him against the ropes and punishing him with his faster hands. Diaz had even staggered the iron-chinned Marquez. But, slowly, Marquez began to show his class and superiority and, by the time it was over, Diaz had been down twice and beaten to a pulp. In between, it was a riveting battle between two proud warriors.
Round of the Year
Paul Williams-Sergio Martinez (1): On paper, this looked like it may be one of the least entertaining fights of 2009. But things got popping quickly, as Williams decked Martinez early in the round, and Martinez returned the favor late in the round. In between, the two middleweights traded bombs in the center of the ring. The decision, by majority for Williams, was also one of the most controversial.
Upset of the Year
Juan Carlos Salgado KO 1 Jorge Linares: Linares, the WBA super featherweight champ who looked like a future star, epitomized Golden Boy Promotions' horrible year. Weeks after signing with Oscar De La Hoya's company, Linares faced the unknown (but undefeated) Salgado in Tokyo in what amounted to a tuneup for bigger and better things. Instead, Linares caught a big Salgado right hand early and never recovered.
Comeback of the Year
Shane Mosley: Going into his January challenge of Antonio Margarito, Mosley wasn't considered washed-up. But he was thought to be damaged goods in light of a loss to Miguel Cotto in late 2007, and a struggle with Ricardo Mayorga in 2008.
"Sugar Shane" wasn't considered more than a bump in the road against the surging, ferocious Margarito. Surprise! Mosley turned in what is probably the most impressive, dominant performance of his career, destroying Margarito and re-establishing himself as an elite fighter. How good did Mosley look? He's been avoided like the plague and hasn't fought since.
Knockout of the Year
Pacquiao KO 2 Hatton: Well, what can you say about this one? The left hand that clipped Hatton on the chin, froze him for an instant and sent him crashing to the mat was nothing short of awesome. It was one of those perfect punches that electrifies the sport. And we're not sure if Hatton has gotten up yet ...
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at maguilarnew@yahoo.com
Source: elpasotimes.com
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