 |
|
|
Fighter of the Year
Glen Johnson. He won a title, knocked out Roy Jones, and then edged out Antonio Tarver in a hell of a fight. You can’t ask for much more than that.
Comeback of the Year
Felix Trinidad. Sure, Kostya Tszyu was also great in his return but Trinidad has a way of electrifying the sport like few do. He dished out such great punishment to Ricardo Mayorga, it seemed as though he was only gone for a matter of days, let alone months. Tito was a huge part of boxing and it's great seeing him again. A fight with Winky Wright would be a great way to start 2005.
Knockout of the Year
There are plenty to choose from but I can’t think of any that changed the sport as much as Antonio Tarver’s left hook KO of Roy Jones. With nothing more than a single punch Tarver changed the titles over to his name, changed the current landscape of the game, and also changed how several people view Roy Jones.
Round of the Year
Trinidad-Mayorga... simply for the facts that Madison Square Garden was buzzing for Trinidad’s return and that the action was early and often. Seeing Mayorga drop his hands, eat right hands from Felix, and mock him moments later was classic stuff. At the end of the round we realized what we had all been missing in the form of Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad.
Upset of the Year
When I think of upset I think of something shocking. I wasn’t as shocked as when Lamon Brewster knocked out Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBO Heavyweight belt. Klitschko was in charge early but Lamon followed a different path and hung tough. Brewster walked through serious fire, flipped the script, and ended things with the younger Klitschko in the 5th round.
Network of the Year
It’s hard to argue with HBO. They have a great roster of proven champs, young titlists, and up and comers. Despite what many say, I enjoy both Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant, and have always enjoyed hearing Roy Jones insight as well. Showtime gave us some great fights this year as well, promoting certain fights as opposed to certain fighters, and here’s hoping they continue the trend in 2005.
Division of the Year
Jr. Welterweight. Arturo Gatti, Floyd Mayweather, Vivian Harris, Ricky Hatton, Kostya Tszyu and several others all stayed busy, giving promise to future great match ups in this weight class. The Lightweights were also hot, with Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Juan Diaz and Julio Diaz serving as champions in that division.
One Wish for 2005
Simply that boxing keeps fighting the good fight in the new year. 2004 was great and hopefully another great chapter will be written in 2005.
|
|
|
|
© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2004
|
By Chris Robinson (December 30, 2004) 
