Boxing: 10 Leading Candidates for Round of the Year

It has been an exciting year for boxing fans and there are more than a handful of great rounds that emerged from many anticipated bouts, including Brandon Rios vs. Urbano Antillon, Carl Froch vs. Glen Johnson and Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto.

There have also been exciting rounds in fights that haven't been seen on major television networks. This slideshow features the best of both groups of fights, and it showcases the best of all weight classes from heavyweight to bantamweight.

These are 10 leading candidates for round of the year.

Round 1 of Brandon Rios vs. Urbano Antillon

Anyone who tuned in for this fight knew what they were about to see. The first round of a boxing match is usually a feeling-out round but not for Brandon Rios and Urbano Antillon.

In Round 1 of their June bout, both came out and fired off combinations while looking to stand their ground and not give an inch. Rios quickly realized the uppercut was there for him and he utilized it to its fullest advantage. Antillon would go toe-to-toe with his undefeated opponent and it made for one of the best opening rounds you could hope for in a fight.

Rios would go on to win by TKO in Round 3.

Round 7 of Vanes Martirosyan vs. Saul Roman

Light middleweight champion Vanes Martirosyan went into his fight with Saul Roman with a 29-0 record.

After falling behind on the scorecards and even being knocked down in Round 1, Martirosyan waited for his opening, which eventually came in Round 7.

Roman got off to a good start and stunned Martirosyan early in the round. The Armenian stayed calm and picked his shots. The opening came for him two minutes into the round when he knocked Roman down with a combination against the ropes.

Roman got up but was rocked again after Martirosyan landed a series of brutal left hooks and right hands, forcing the referee to step in.

Round 2 of Tyson Fury vs. Dereck Chisora

In a battle of unbeaten heavyweights, Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora promised to do everything they could to retain their perfect records.

After losing the first round, Chisora picked up the pace in Round 2 and went after his taller opponent. Chisora almost dropped Fury with a left hand a minute into the round. Chisora jumped on his stunned opponent but couldn't get the finish. Fury returned with a body attack and took some more right hands as the round came to a close.

Fury would fight to a 12-round unanimous decision win.

Round 5 of Luis Franco vs. Leonilo Miranda

Luis Franco went into his fight with Leonilo Miranda with an 8-0 record.

After four close and competitive rounds, both boxers opened up with nonstop combinations in Round 5. Miranda got off to a busy start but was hit with three- and four-punch combinations by Franco. Miranda was forced backwards from the combinations but came back with a body attack and left hooks that would back up Franco.

Franco would go on to win a split decision over 10 rounds.

Round 9 of Brandon Rios vs. Miguel Acosta

Brandon Rios went into Round 9 of his first attempt at a lightweight championship with bad intentions.

After having a rocky start, Rios was able to drop Miguel Acosta in Rounds 6 and 8.

Round 9 was a fight-changing round and one that would set up the ultimate end that would occur in Round 10.

Rios attacked Acosta relentlessly but was also hit himself. Rios' power was the factor in determining the success he had against his opponent.

Acosta would be knocked out in Round 10, giving Rios his first major title victory.

Round 10 of Pawel Wolak vs. Delvin Rodriguez

With his eye being swelled to one of the most grotesque states of any boxer, Pawel Wolak showcased his fighting spirit and determination in Round 10 of his fight with Delvin Rodriguez.

It was the final round and both left everything in the ring. Wolak used his pressure and volume punching to get to his opponent while Rodriguez used sharp counterpunching and accuracy to snap Wolak's head around in every direction. Rodriguez would end the fight with a strong finish, but it wasn't enough to seal the victory.

In a fight that would end in a draw, Wolak and Rodriguez put on one of the best fights of the year and one that calls for a rematch.

Round 6 of Andre Berto vs. Victor Ortiz

Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz traded knockdowns in Round 6 of their welterweight matchup on HBO. After Ortiz was knocked down two minutes into the round by a right hand, he was visibly hurt and almost out on his feet before returning with a left hand to drop Berto for the second time in the fight with only a few seconds left in the round.

Ortiz would go on to win a unanimous decision and got the biggest win of his career.

Round 2 of Edgar Lopez vs. Felix Rivera

In only his second professional bout, Edgar Lopez was dropped by opponent Felix Rivera in Round 2 of their fight and almost knocked out.

After surviving long enough to recover from the knockdown, Lopez came back and landed some vicious right hands to the body and head of Rivera. Rivera stuck his tongue out to show he wasn't hurt but it wasn't enough to deter Lopez, who ended up knocking him out with a right hand and left hook with a minute to go in the round.

Round 8 of Glen Johnson vs. Carl Froch

Carl Froch and Glen Johnson provided some entertaining action in their Showtime Super Six Middleweight tournament bout.

Round 8 was the highlight round of the bout, and it was a very close fight up until that point. Johnson is one of the hardest-working boxers and showed it as he stalked Froch down for the first minute of the round. The turning point came when Johnson landed a right hand halfway through the round.

Froch showed off his chin and returned with his own power shots to end the round. He would win a majority decision after 12 rounds.

Round 1 of Hernan Marquez vs. Luis Concepcion

Former WBA flyweight champion Luis Concepcion is known for his exciting fights.

In his title defense versus Hernan Marquez, he came out in Round 1 and took it to him. Concepcion measured Marquez with the jab and dropped him with a right hand halfway through the round.

Marquez got up before the end of the count and hurt Concepcion with a right hand. He even managed to drop Concepcion with a left hook as the round came to a close.

Marquez would go on to win by TKO in Round 11.