Assuming Floyd-Hatton isn't a stinker then the winner should be FOTY. If that is a stinker but Cotto dominates shane then Cotto gets the nod. If Mosley wins or that fight is sloppy then Pavlik takes it.
Calzaghe can't possibly be considered over Pavlik, who also IMO has a limited chance as explained above.
After last night's boxing masterclass by Joe Calzaghe, is the Welshman now in pole position to be named Fighter of the Year?
Nah, he will be on the list though, Pavilk is a good shout, but i think it will go to mayweather if he beats hatton, meaning he beats De La Hoya and Hatton back to back in the 2 biggest fights of the year. He would deserve it.
Combined? Maybe. It's close. Remember, Oscar is 34 and was not on the ring's p4p list. Hatton is #8 p4p and Taylor was #6 I think. Also, Floyd has only fought twice this year. Zertuche was nothing special, but you can't ignore a top 20 mw. Another thing to take into consideration is that Pavlik KOd Taylor while Mayweather fought a competitive but clear decision.
If both Pavlik and Floyd were equally ranked beforehand I could see an argument for FOTY going to Floyd. But Floyd was #1 p4p already - he is expected to take these kinds of fights and to win.
Floyd will have participated in the bigger fights against more renown competition.
Pavlik will be fighter of the year, hands down. It's a tie if Cotto and Mayweather win their fights and Calzaghe third.
I'm having second thoughts about it, cuz Calzaghe is too good. Might even be second for me too.
Yeah but Hatton and Oscar are far better opponents than Miranda and Taylor.
Combined? Maybe. It's close. Remember, Oscar is 34 and was not on the ring's p4p list. Hatton is #8 p4p and Taylor was #6 I think. Also, Floyd has only fought twice this year. Zertuche was nothing special, but you can't ignore a top 20 mw. Another thing to take into consideration is that Pavlik KOd Taylor while Mayweather fought a competitive but clear decision.
If both Pavlik and Floyd were equally ranked beforehand I could see an argument for FOTY going to Floyd. But Floyd was #1 p4p already - he is expected to take these kinds of fights and to win.
I think fighters of the year are:
1. Pavlik
2. Mayweather (if victory over Hatton)
3. Calzaghe
4. Cotto (if victory over Mosley)
Though Mayweather would have two victories over very big names, he would have been the clear favorite in both fights. Pavlik was the underdog against Miranda and Taylor and went from unproven prospect to middleweight champ. What Calzaghe did last night was historically important and impressive but that win plus the one-sided drubbing of Manredo Jr. aren't enough to garner fighter of the year honors IMO.
Yeah but Hatton and Oscar are far better opponents than Miranda and Taylor.
I think fighters of the year are:
1. Pavlik
2. Mayweather (if victory over Hatton)
3. Calzaghe
4. Cotto (if victory over Mosley)
Though Mayweather would have two victories over very big names, he would have been the clear favorite in both fights. Pavlik was the underdog against Miranda and Taylor and went from unproven prospect to middleweight champ. What Calzaghe did last night was historically important and impressive but that win plus the one-sided drubbing of Manredo Jr. aren't enough to garner fighter of the year honors IMO.
I agree with a lot of other people even though Calzaghe's performance was quite impressive, what Pavlik has done has been even more impressive, plus all his victories have come by KO which I think everybody like to see as well.
Everyone already knew Calzaghe was a great fighter. This fight basically told us he is a little better than many thought, and is incredibly resistant to age. Still, fighter of the year is a year-long achievement, and given to people who improve their stock dramatically.
I think Pavlik has to win this year, assuming Hatton loses. The big comparison for Cotto-Pavlik is Mosley - Jermain. If Cotto wins, Pavlik still should get the nod as foty. Jermain was a prime, undefeated, unified champion, pound for pound favorite, while Mosley is a post-prime, 4 times defeated, non-champion, non pound-for-pound underdog.
Pavlik was an 8 to 5 underdog vs. Jermain and an even bigger underdog vs. Miranda. He KOd them both in 7 rounds. He went from relative to obscurity to the undisputed champ who is on many people's pound for pound list.
who gets fighter of the year is usually the guy with the most growth. Pavlik was very unknown in 2007, and all of a sudden he started knocking out guys like Miranda, who was a favorite over him, and Jermain Taylor. thats a statement.
on the other hand, Floyd is in some of the biggest fights weve seen for a while. If Hatton-Mayweather turns out to be a really really big fight, Floyd might get it just for being in two giant fights. but it really depends on how well(or not) he deals with Hatton.
I personally would choose Pavlik either way. but popularity sure as hell influences awards like this, and if Hatton-Mayweather is a huge fight, he might get it anyway. and also, if Hatton were to beat Mayweather...big if but...if he did, he would be in the conversation too.