Boxing 2010 Year in Review: Recap and Awards

At the end of every year, boxing analysts, columnists and fans talk about the year and what it had brought to the public eye.

Every year is different for boxing, and there are surprises around every corner, in any minute of any round of any fight. Sometimes an amazing fight comes around, and people dub it the fight of the year, not knowing that the real fight of the year has yet to happen.

There are also times when the boxing world is impatient and excited about a bout that is expected to be something extraordinary, but turns out to be a complete dud. I have taken some time and gave some 'awards' to this year's boxing best and worst. 

Boxer of the Year

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico celebrates his first round knockout of Sergio Medina of Argentina during their WBO junior featherweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena December 6, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Pho

While there are numerous names that jump to mind, I would have to dub Juan Manuel Lopez as the boxer of the year. Sure names like Sergio Martinez and Manny Pacquiao are on everyone’s mind, but you have to look at significant and competitive fights.

His win over Rafael Marquez was spectacular, and he proved himself once again as the ultimate featherweight champion. 

Fight of the Year

Froch vs. Kessler was a pretty good competitive fight, and most would look at this fight as a possible winner. To me it’s a no-brainer, as there was only one fight this year which deserve this title: Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Michael Katsidis.

JMM’s recovery and technical boxing skill showed that a boxer always prevails over a brawler. Michael is a great boxer with a superb heart, and I give him all the credit in the world for trying. Still, Marquez with his back moving jab was simply too much experience for Katsidis.

K.O. of the Year

Al Bello/Getty Images

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - NOVEMBER 20: Sergio Martinez celebrates after knocking out Paul Williams in the second round of their Middleweight Championship fight on November 20, 2010 at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty I

Should anyone even ask this question expecting anything but Sergio Martinez to come up as the answer? Sergio’s left dropped Paul Williams in an astonishing ‘Mike Tyson’ fashion. There was absolutely no chance of recovery for Paul, as this thunderous left arrived unnoticed. Maybe the nickname “Lights Out” can now start shifting to Sergio?

Rookie of the Year

This is a complicated question in a way, as it’s hard to define a rookie in boxing. I think that Sadam Ali, the up and coming welterweight from Brooklyn, New York, deserves this title. Ali fought six times in 2010, winning all of his fights, four of them by way of stoppage. This is still not all for 2010, as Ali is scheduled to appear on the undercard of Adamek vs. Maddalone.

Maybe Ali can add another K.O. to his record for 2010, leaving the year with seven wins!

Comeback Boxer of the Year

There will be a whole spectrum of picks from boxing writers, but I doubt many will share mine. Erik Morales may be just the right person for this award. So far in 2010 Morales faced two opponents, winning both fights, one via K.O. On December 18.

Erik is slated to face a dangerous fighter in Jorge Barrios in Tijuana. Barrios is an experienced fighter with 50 wins and only four losses. If Morales can get past Barrios in a definitive fashion, it will solidify his place for this award in my book.

Trainer of the Year

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - MARCH 13: Trainer Freddie Roach, who trains Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, looks on in the ring after Pacquiao defeated Joshua Clottey of Ghana during the WBO welterweight title fight at Cowboys Stadium on March 13, 2010 in Arlington,

This is a toss-up. While the first name that jumps up and screams is Freddie Roach for his unparallel work with Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan and Cesar Chavez Jr., Gabriel Sarmiento has to be noticed.

Gabrien’s work with Sergio has been very fruitful, and he was able to bring Martinez to the top. Both seem to be doing a very good job with their fighters. Still I am going to go with Freddie Roach as he is creating boxing superstars by dozens.

Promoter of the Year

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - MARCH 12: Promoter Bob Arum talks in front of Cowboys Stadium before the weigh-in for the WBO welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Joshua Clottey of Ghana on March 12, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Pacquiao

Bob Arum. Sure some will say that he is wasting time and handpicking opposition for his talent pool, but all that has to be irrelevant when looking at the yearly fight display. If we look at his stable (Chavez Jr., Calderon, Donaire, Cotto, Concepcion, Juanma, Korobov, Margarito, Montiel, Pacquiao and many more), it’s the cream of the crop.

He has been putting on great events, and his fighters have been active throughout the year. In February Top Rank is yet again stepping up and giving the public what they have been waiting for: Donaire vs. Montiel. 

Worst Fight of the Year

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - APRIL 03: Bernard Hopkins reacts to an apparent low blow from Roy Jones Jr. during the 10th round of their light heavyweight bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center April 3, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hopkins won by unanimous decision. (Photo

If we are talking about bigger name fights, then this is an easy answer: Roy Jones Jr. vs. Bernard Hopkins II. I think that their fight was not only stale, but has enough ring drama that should have been avoided. The whole fight felt like a circus act, and the crowd showed it on their faces and with their complaints when leaving the arena.

Most Overrated Boxer of the Year

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 13: Manny Pacquiao (white trunks) of the Philippines celebrates after he was declared the winner by a unanimous decision against Antonio Margarito (black trunks) of Mexico during their WBC World Super Welterweight Title bout at C

This one will get me in trouble for sure, but I have say what I feel to be true don’t I? If we are going to look at this question as it’s asked, for the year 2010, then I would most certainly pick Manny Pacquiao as the most overrated boxer this year.

With all the hype Manny received in 2010, none of his fights were competitive. Both Clottey and Margarito looked weight drained and more lethargic than usual. Neither of them was able to give Manny any need for defense. They stood right in front of Pacman, giving him full opportunity to move around freely without any caution.