Brian O. Blake’s 2010 Year-End Boxing Awards (Part I)

Added on Jan 04, 2011 by Brian Blake in

Boxing

With 2010 now officially in the books it’s finally time to take a look back at the best and worst the sweet science had to offer in the last 12 months. Leave your tuxes in the closet and kick back in your PJ’s as you take your spot at the head table for my compilation of boxings most intriguing moments to close out the first decade of the millenium.

Round of the Year: Amir Khan vs. Marcos Maidana, Round 10

2010 had plenty of options when it comes to thrilling round, but in my opinion, the brightest of them all was the tenth frame between Amir Khan and Marcos Maidana. Heading into the bout many question the ability of Khan in terms of taking a punch. Fans and pundits alike knew he had skill and power of his own which he displayed for most of the fight with Maidana. But there was no round more dramatic than in the tenth when Maidana threw everything he had at Khan and though badly hurt and on the verge of being stopped, Khan managed to survive eventually taking a unanimous decision to retain his WBA lightweight championship and putting to bed any lingering questions of his suspect chin.

Honorable mention: Floyd Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley, Round 2

This was the consolation prize to fans when Floyd and Manny couldn’t reach an agreement. Some had hopes for Mosley, most didn’t. Yet everyone became a believer, even if for only three minutes in the second round, when Mosley connected and turned Floyd legs to jelly making him the most vulnerable he’s ever been. The fight wasn’t close in the end, but the second round had the world on the edge of it’s seats.

Prospect of the Year: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez

In a sport where so many fighters are constantly trying to separate themselves from the pack of endless prospects, none did more so than Mexico’s rising star in Saul Alvarez. At just 20 years of age he’s already compiled a record of 35-0-1 with 26 KOs. After being signed to Golden Boy Promotions early in the year Alvarez stepped into the ring five times in 2010 gaining national exposure with his win over Miguel Cotto’s older brother, Jose, on the undercard of Mayweather-Mosley. With Alvarez coming off of consecutive wins over two former world champions he’s poised to do even greater things in 2011.

Knockout of the Year: Sergio Martinez KO2 Paul Williams

This was, by far, the easiest award to hand out. With both Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams having fought each other in a 2009 classic, they were left to fight once again in 2010. Williams took a close and somewhat controversial decision in the first bout and most felt that the rematch would be another close one this time with Martinez coming out on top after his dominant performance over Kelly Pavlik to earn the World Middleweight Championship. They were right in a sense. Martinez was the victor, but not by way of a decision. In the second round Martinez and Williams both threw out their shots with Martinez landing a bit quicker with an overhand left that send Williams face first into the canvas. Williams didn’t see it coming, the rest of us couldn’t stop replaying it.

Next up: Part II of the 2010 awards…