Awards: Fighter of the Year…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
(I’d buy stock in Manny Pacquiao. You’d think the exchange rate would be pretty good right about now)
Wish I would have had this blog at this time last year. Anyone who knows me knows I love Floyd “Money” Mayweather. And for once, I could have justifiably went off about what a great year 2007 was for Mayweather. He defeated Oscar de La Hoya and toyed with before knocking out Ricky Hatton. Man, it was great.
But Money May is not in the picture for the 2008 honor. I’m going to say there are four legitimate candidates for this honor. But in the end, you know who I’m picking.
4) Chad Dawson, light heavyweight: “Bad” Chad introduced himself to a primetime audience in 2008. His resume included wins over Glen Johnson (in April) and Antonio Tarver (in October).
Why he deserves it: He fought two of the three guys who have dominated the LH division for the last decade. He was in a great battle with Johnson in April. And in October, he dominated Tarver, even dropping him in the final round.
It’s not a reach to call Dawson the future of the LH division and maybe, just maybe the future of American boxing. He’s a star on the rise. Mayweather said Dawson is the best fighter pound-for-pound today.
I won’t go that far, but yeah, I’m a believer in Bad Chad.
Why he didn’t win: That Johnson fight was close. While Dawson eked out more rounds, Johnson wobbled the youngster a couple of times… Tarver had nothing left in the tank early in their fight. Dawson would have earned some huge kudos had he knocked out Tarver.
Up next: An inexplicable rematch with Tarver. HBO wants Dawson away from Showtime, and this is their way of doing it: throwing him a bunch of money for what should be a one-sided beatdown.
3) Joe Calzaghe, light heavyweight: 2008 became the year the Boneman officially came a believer in the Wales legend. He came over to the U.S. and took out the two names any casual fan knows: Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr.
Why he deserves it: Because he answered his critics. All the ones (ahem, me) who said he would never come over to the U.S. and fight a worthy challenger. He did it not once but twice. Hopefully, he sent Roy Jones Jr. into retirement. He doesn’t have one-punch KO power, but his volume is enough to beat people into submission.
Why he didn’t get it: Because the stain of the Hopkins fight is too much for me. He won me over with the way he dominated Jones, but that Hopkins fight is a stinker. In both fights, Calzaghe got dropped in the first round. Against Hopkins, he did just enough to win. My Fighter of the Year is doing more than that.
Up next: Good question. A logical fight would be Dawson, so expect that to never happen. I don’t think Jermain Taylor moves up to take him on. Maybe Joe rides off into the sunset. But he’s so close to 50 wins, tough to decide.
2) Antonio Margarito, welterweight: I can hear his supporters cursing me already. Margarito had a great first-half of 2008. But then he disappeared, and I did not appreciate that. He started to play the money game, and I wasn’t digging it. Yeah, he deserves a lot, but he also needs to strike while the iron is hot.
Why he deserves it: Are you kidding? Two beautiful knockouts against two of the best welterweights in the world isn’t enough for you? Kermit Cintron was supposed to be a different fighter in their rematch. Armed with Emanuel Steward as his trainer, Cintron was going to end Margarito.
No. Tony massacred Cintron. Had him wincing in pain and just overpowered him from beginning to end. It was finally stopped in round 6.
And then he took out the “next legend” Miguel Cotto. He wasn’t afraid to stand and trade with the KO artist. Margarito took Cotto’s heart, and then he took his title.
Why he didn’t get it: Any other year, I think he does. Two great wins. But the man at the top had three great wins and left a lasting impression.
Up next: A showdown with Shane Mosley on Jan. 24. This could be the fight where Mosley gets sent into retirement. Of course, I’m hoping Sugar can be sweet one more time.
No. 1 and the Boneman’s Fighter of the Year: Manny Pacquiao, ???: I don’t know what weight division he is. The Filipino Sensation won fights in three different classes in 2008. He’s the modern day Henry Armstrong.
Why he won it: He began his year with a riveting split decision win against Juan Manuel Marquez in the super featherweight division in March. That fight was easily one of the fights of the year.
He followed that with a beatdown of David Diaz for the lightweight championship. At the time, I called it a masterful performance. Little did I know the best was yet to come.
Because we all know earlier this month, he disgraced Oscar de La Hoya for eight rounds before the Golden Boy had the plug pulled on him.
I remember when Pacquiao was brought in as an opponent for Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in 2001. Who was this dude wearing fire-like color trunks and wearing No Fear gear? Really, he’s supposed to be something?
Seven years later, and I don’t get any more excited than when hearing Pacquiao is going to fight. Never a dull moment for the PacMan. He’s become such an unbelievable all-around threat under the guidance of Freddie Roach.
I put three fights on DVD this year with Pacquiao. That means he was involved in something good.
Up next: A rumored potential showdown with Ricky Hatton. It’s not set in stone, but I would think the winner gets Floyd Mayweather in November/December in the biggest fight that can be made without the name de La Hoya.
Wednesday: Upset of the Year.
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Cant much argue with those picks….