Knockout of the Year:
Winner
Juan Manuel Marquez KO's Manny Pacquiao
Most fight fans were not too pleased at the prospect of a 4th fight between these two ring veterans. They had seen it all before and figured nothing would change. How wrong they were. In the 6th round Pacquiao caught Marquez with a big left hand that knocked him off balance, Pacquiao went in for the kill and nearly got killed himself. With one second left in the round Marquez caught Pacquiao with a perfect right hand counter that knocked Pacquiao out cold. Boxing fans have not seen a punch that perfect since Sergio Martinez knocked out Paul Williams in their second fight.
Runner-Up
Danny Garcia KO'S Erik Morales
In their second fight Morales nearly got spun into the ground. It was in the 4th round and Garcia caught Morales with his now famous left hook. Morales spun around 180 degrees and then nearly fell out of the ring. It was a brutal punch. If it hadn't been for the Marquez destruction of Pacquiao then the Garcia knockout would have been the runaway favorite.
In The Running
Nonito Donaire KO's Jorge Arce
Randall Bailey KO'S Mike Jones
Fight of the Year
Winner
Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado
An amazing all-time slugfest that only lasted 7 rounds. In those 7 rounds fans saw nothing but power punches. It was as if both fighters forgot how to throw a jab or clinch for a break from the punishment. The fight ended by TKO with Rios winning. The entire arena was giving a standing ovation at the end of this fight. It was one of those fights that doesn't come around very often and that no fan will ever forget. I had goosebumps the entire time I was watching it. No fight in recent memory has come as close to this one in the action and display of heart that we saw in the Gatti-Ward trilogy. After a fight like that all you can say is "thank you" to both fighters, and pray for a rematch.
Runner-Up
Robert Guerrero vs. Andre Berto
Almost as good a fight as the winner, and amazing that it went all 12 rounds. The entire time both men planted their heads on the others chest and threw as hard as they could. There were knockdowns and drama, and by the end of the fight both fighters eyes were totally swollen. In fact only Guerrero's one eye remained open. Although a rematch probably won't happen, it would be welcomed.
In the Running
Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Manny Pacquiao
Fighter of the Year
Winner
Nonito Donaire
While most elite boxers only fight one or two times a year Donaire stayed very active. He fought four times and went 4-0 in those fights. Those four wins included 2 KO's. He fought Vazquez, Mathebula, Nishioka, and Arce and handled them all with ease. During that time he also battled through a bad injury to his left hand that caused his knuckles to bleed every fight. In fact leading up to his fight against Arce he rarely sparred to protect the hand during training. But that set back along with the fact that often times the man he was up against didn't want to exchange with him didn't slow Donaire down. He continued to impress every time he stepped into the ring. The scary thing is that 2013 could prove to be an even better year for him than 2012 was.
Runner-Up
Adrien Broner
If it wasn't for Donaire getting four wins in 2012 it could have very well been the year of Broner. He fought three times scoring 3 KO's. He fought Perez, Escobedo, and DeMarco. The only knock against him was that he failed to make weight against Escobedo, coming in very heavy and totally dominating him. But Broner will without a doubt be the next great American superstar. He has the charisma, defense, and one punch power. Broner is certainly a forced to be reckoned with. Next year will be very good for Mr. Broner.
In the Running
Danny Garcia
Robert Guerrero
Winner
Juan Manuel Marquez KO's Manny Pacquiao
Most fight fans were not too pleased at the prospect of a 4th fight between these two ring veterans. They had seen it all before and figured nothing would change. How wrong they were. In the 6th round Pacquiao caught Marquez with a big left hand that knocked him off balance, Pacquiao went in for the kill and nearly got killed himself. With one second left in the round Marquez caught Pacquiao with a perfect right hand counter that knocked Pacquiao out cold. Boxing fans have not seen a punch that perfect since Sergio Martinez knocked out Paul Williams in their second fight.
Runner-Up
Danny Garcia KO'S Erik Morales
In their second fight Morales nearly got spun into the ground. It was in the 4th round and Garcia caught Morales with his now famous left hook. Morales spun around 180 degrees and then nearly fell out of the ring. It was a brutal punch. If it hadn't been for the Marquez destruction of Pacquiao then the Garcia knockout would have been the runaway favorite.
In The Running
Nonito Donaire KO's Jorge Arce
Randall Bailey KO'S Mike Jones
Fight of the Year
Winner
Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado
An amazing all-time slugfest that only lasted 7 rounds. In those 7 rounds fans saw nothing but power punches. It was as if both fighters forgot how to throw a jab or clinch for a break from the punishment. The fight ended by TKO with Rios winning. The entire arena was giving a standing ovation at the end of this fight. It was one of those fights that doesn't come around very often and that no fan will ever forget. I had goosebumps the entire time I was watching it. No fight in recent memory has come as close to this one in the action and display of heart that we saw in the Gatti-Ward trilogy. After a fight like that all you can say is "thank you" to both fighters, and pray for a rematch.
Runner-Up
Robert Guerrero vs. Andre Berto
Almost as good a fight as the winner, and amazing that it went all 12 rounds. The entire time both men planted their heads on the others chest and threw as hard as they could. There were knockdowns and drama, and by the end of the fight both fighters eyes were totally swollen. In fact only Guerrero's one eye remained open. Although a rematch probably won't happen, it would be welcomed.
In the Running
Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Manny Pacquiao
Fighter of the Year
Winner
Nonito Donaire
While most elite boxers only fight one or two times a year Donaire stayed very active. He fought four times and went 4-0 in those fights. Those four wins included 2 KO's. He fought Vazquez, Mathebula, Nishioka, and Arce and handled them all with ease. During that time he also battled through a bad injury to his left hand that caused his knuckles to bleed every fight. In fact leading up to his fight against Arce he rarely sparred to protect the hand during training. But that set back along with the fact that often times the man he was up against didn't want to exchange with him didn't slow Donaire down. He continued to impress every time he stepped into the ring. The scary thing is that 2013 could prove to be an even better year for him than 2012 was.
Runner-Up
Adrien Broner
If it wasn't for Donaire getting four wins in 2012 it could have very well been the year of Broner. He fought three times scoring 3 KO's. He fought Perez, Escobedo, and DeMarco. The only knock against him was that he failed to make weight against Escobedo, coming in very heavy and totally dominating him. But Broner will without a doubt be the next great American superstar. He has the charisma, defense, and one punch power. Broner is certainly a forced to be reckoned with. Next year will be very good for Mr. Broner.
In the Running
Danny Garcia
Robert Guerrero
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