CUERUS - 2010 Recap

By BERNARDO “BMIKEA” MIGUEL

GEORGE JIMENEZ

ROBERT RAMOS

Fight of the year (2010)

RR: Amir Khan vs. Marcos Maidana 12-11-2010 - This twelve-round rollercoaster ride, WBA world light welterweight championship battle between two up and coming young fighters, Amir Khan and Marcos Maidana, displayed the best in both fighters’ unique styles and abilities. Each fighter had their moment and heated exchanges were plentiful; the outcome could have gone either way for each fighter. However, Khan walked away the winner edging Maidana on the judges’ score cards.

GJ: Humberto Soto vs Urbano Antillon - There were many good fights but I believe this was the most competitive. Back and forth action in all rounds and the fight ended in a close decision.

BMA: Pacquiao vs. Margarito - The build-up to this fight infuriated me because I didn't like seeing it happen in the first place. However, I admire Pacquiao once again taking about the bigger fighter (like in his fight against De La Hoya). It was a beating that delivered karma all over Margarito's face.

Fighter of the year (2010)

RR: Manny Pacquiao - Manny Pacquiao has captured the hearts of boxing fans throughout the world. His relentless and aggressive style of boxing makes him one of the most exciting fighters to watch. His quickness, agility and capacity to stay fresh in all of his fights has allowed Pacquiao to dominate this sport. Pacman has never ducked any legitimate top ranked fighter and established himself as possibly the best pound for pound boxer in the history of boxing.

Honorable mention: Juan Manuel Marquez - Marquez is the perfect technician in the ring and a pleasure to watch, with plenty of heart, especially when he digs his way out of trouble and battle his way into victory.

GJ: Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez - No question Martinez faced the better opposition against Pavlik and Williams and the way he won makes him the best fighter of 2010.

BMA: I have to say a tie between Pacquiao and Sergio Martinez. I stated in my last column that they are not only classy boxers but very capable warriors.

Knockout of the year (11-20-2010)

RR: Sergio Martinez vs. Paul Williams II. KO of the year has to go to Sergio Martinez for his awesome display of raw power in which he knocked out of the always game and battle tested Paul Williams in spectacular fashion of round two of their WBC middleweight championship fight. What I love about Sergio is that he may not be the flashiest fighter, but he will always give his best and get’s better with every fight. I am definitely looking forward to seeing him take on other world ranked fighters in 2011.

GJ: Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez' KO of Paul Williams left the fans in awe and Williams in the canvas.

BMA: No doubt about it...Sergio Martinez. That punch that took out Williams was nothing short of stunning.

Upset of the year

RR: Sergio Martinez vs. Kelly Pavlik. Sergio Martinez's upset of the normally heavy handed Kelly Pavlik was a shock to the boxing world. Sergio's superb display of footwork and ringmanship allowed him to bounce in with electrifyingly combinations and get quickly out of the reach of the power punching Pavlik. It was a one sided dissection of the normally poised Pavlik. The unanimous decision win established Martinez who was once an unknown that rose up through the ranks and impressively won the WBC & WBO middleweight world championship belts. Martinez is now a force to be reckoned with.

GJ: Jason Litzau's win against Celestino Caballero earns the upset of the year.

BMA: Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Shane Mosley was it for me. In lieu of the disappointment of not having Money fight Pacman, this turned out to catch my imagination only to see any dreams of a great fight dashed. I thought Shane would use his ability to switch between his different skills/fighting aspects but Mayweather took him apart over the fight. This to me ended Shane's march towards seemingly conquering Father Time

Round of the year

RR: Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Michael Katsidis - In their HBO televised WBO and WBA lightweight title fight, Marquez showed speed, power and accuracy in rounds one and two vs. Katsidis. Things took a turn in 2:10 of round three; Katsidis dropped Marquez with a short, but powerful left hook. It looked like the beginning of the end for Marquez, but he got up quickly showing no real signs of being hurt. After the 10 count, the much bigger and well muscled Katsidis charged forward swinging wide to Marquez’s head, trying to finish off Marquez, but Marquez was able to regain his senses while counterpunching to Katsidis’ head and body while being backed into the ropes to miraculously survive the round. Marquez stuck to his game plan with short powerful punches downstairs, then to the head and eventually TKO’d Katsidis in round nine as the referee stopped the fight to save Katsidis from any further damage.

GJ: Round 3 of Juan Manuel Marquez vs Michael Katsidis because Marquez gets up from the KD and fights on like the warrior that he is.

BMA: Round 3 of Juan Manual Marquez vs Michael Katsidis because that was the round that determined the course of the rest of the fight in my eyes. It also put JMM back on the map of a hot buzz fighter to get in the ring with Pacquiao again.

Prospect of the year (2010)

RR: Jose Benavidez Jr. (18 years of age) won 9 (KO 9) + lost 0 (KO 0) + drawn 0 = 9. The little known Jose Benavidez Jr. was a twelve time amateur national champion, which includes the Silver Gloves twice, qualifying for the Junior Olympics and earning a spot on the U.S. National Team, en route to a gaudy 120-5 amateur record. Benavidez is also the 2009 National Golden Gloves champion in the light welterweight division, making him the youngest ever Golden Gloves Champion at only sixteen years old. Some of the boxers Jose sparred with were 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, WBA Light Welterweight champion Amir Khan, WBO Light Welterweight Champion Timothy Bradley, WBO NABO Light middleweight Champion Shawn Porter, and former IBF Light middleweight champion Yori Boy Campos. His pro debut was highly anticipated because at seventeen years old he was approved for a license by the Nevada Athletic Commission. He's considered a boxing Prodigy and one of the sport’s future stars. Keep an eye out for this humble, yet hungry young fighter who is a world champion in the making.

GJ: Jose Benavidez - He is the most complete prospect I have seen fight. He is 9-0 with 9 KOs and has the looks of a future champion.

BMA: Some might think that I am a year behind but I think Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is still to come to the top of the boxing heap in terms of upward mobility. I think we are going to see a lot more of him hitting his stride in 2011.

Comeback of the year

RR: Bernard Hopkins vs. Jean Pascal. After a lackluster performance during his win over Roy Jones Jr. in April of 2010, Hopkins made a bold statement and hushed any critics who questioned his ability to continue boxing due to his age. At 45 years old, I believe he clearly beat the younger 28 year old Jean Pascal in their matchup on December 18, 2010. After being dropped twice early in the fight, Hopkins took charge after round six and must have thrown at least fifteen of the most wicked body shots that I have ever seen, Pascal seemed to handle the devastating body shots well early on, but they took eventually took their toll towards the later rounds, where Hopkins completely dominated. At the end of the fight Hopkins looked fresh, while Pascal looked tired and beaten. Pascal luckily retained his belt due to judges scorecards ending up in a draw.

GJ: Glen Johnson - After losing a one sided decision to Chad Dawson in 2009, he comes back strong in 2010 knocking out Yusaf Mack, dropping a close decision to Tavoris Cloud, and scoring a TKO against Allen Green after joining the Super Six Super Middleweight tournament.

BMA: Juan Manuel Marquez because he put himself squarely back on the map again. All of the angling to fight Pacquiao again didn't come to reality (yet) but the serious talk of why this should happen is taking hold.

Biggest Hype of the Year (2010)

RR: David Haye. With the heavyweight division no longer being interesting, Haye begins challenging the Klitschko brothers and resorts to all types of childish trash talking and then backs away from contract negations at the last minute, because of supposed disputes in the contracts. Haye then wins two uninteresting bouts against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison. Come on Haye, put your money where your mouth is and crush the Klitschko sisters as you stated during your rants.

GJ: Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito.

BMA: The build-up to Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez II, in hindsight. I kept hearing from everyone how Williams was going to come away with it. I was convinced after looking at Martinez more clearly that he would win..however, I did not know it would be so spectacular. So, for those of you builidng up the fight as Williams walking away with it, didn't happen! Sorry to disappoint you!

What Fight(s) Do You Want to See in 2011?

RR: Yuriokis Gamboa vs. Juan Manuel Lopez -Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather III -Andre Ward vs. Bernard Hopkins -Sergio Martinez vs. Andre Berto -Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez - Bernard Hopkins vs. Jean Pascal II -Amir Khan vs. Marcos Maidana II

GJ: My top 10: 1- Giovanni Segura vs Luis Concepcion or Roman Gonzalez - All out wars! 2- Adamek vs Haye - Both guys are exciting to watch, come in shape, and are flawed enough to make it exciting 3- Humberto Soto vs Urbano Antillon 2 4- JMM vs Soto at 135 - If Soto can get past Antillon why not follow it up with this fight? 5- Bute vs Ward - To find out who the best SMW is. 6- Rios vs Ortiz at 140 - Bad blood = great fight! 7- Mike Jones vs Andre Berto - Both unproven Welterweights and need a big win. 8- Erislandis Lara vs Vanes Martirosyan - War of young prospects. 9 - Pirog vs Pavlik - Two guys who can bang! 10 - Troy Ross vs Cunningham 2 - Their first fight ended in a controversial win for Cunningham and there is some bad blood between them. Let's have them do it again.

BMA: Pacquiao vs. Mayweather Jr. This fight should have happened already and the fact that it didn't really put a damper on most of the year for me.