I can think of 4 major powers in the sport this year...
1. Manny Pacquiao - An avenging win (albeit close as hell) over Juan Manuel Marquez, who is considered the best fighter in the sport who is not Manny Pacquiao. Then he moves up to lightweight and shuts out David Diaz, ending it with a KO. I think he's a lock depending on whether or not he beats Oscar De La Hoya.
2. Joe Calzaghe - Moves up in weight to take on #4 P4P at the time, Bernard Hopkins, and wins a decision (another very close win), and then beats Roy Jones Jr.
3. Antonio Margarito - He completely dominates the IBF champion, Kermit Cintron, in a violent bout that ends with a crippling body shot in the 6th. Then he takes on the WBA champ and stops the undefeated P4P elite Miguel Cotto.
4. Vic Darchinyan - Starts the year with a disappointing draw against Z Gorres, but a lot of people feel that decision went the wrong way, because there were a lot of uncredited KDs of Gorres. Then he beats champion Dimitri Kirilov in a dominating, short KO win. Then he takes on P4P elite, who had 2 more belts, Christian Mijares, and dominates him in route to a KO win.
Did I miss anyone? I'm adding the poll, so if I did, I guess I'll have to make a new poll.
Marg, Vic, Joe C, Pac.
Marg walked thru 2 vicious punchin titlists back to back and took the to spot in the WW division.
Vic got a raw deal wit Gorres and KO'd 2 champions to take over his division.
Like it or not, Joe C beat 2 ATG's. Hopkins wasn't decisive or impressive tho. He thoroughly dismantled RJ and should get props for it, but I have a feelin he won't from many in boxing, not just fans who don't like him.
Pac's loss shouldn't count against him on the 6th, but it will unfortunately erase some of the shine from his 2 title victories earlier this year.
Margarito beat the more high profile fighters, but as far as just accomplishments then Darchinayin deserves to be fighter of the year. He beat two champions, beat the odds, and became the first undisputed super flyweight champion ever.
Darchinyan meets that criteria too, does he not?
i agree with the other guy.
Darchinyan did meet that criteria but in smaller weight classes they dont get the respect as the higher ones.
I give it to Margarito
I have it:
1. Pacquiao
2. Darchinyan
3. Margarito
4. Calzaghe
Pacquiao and Darchinyan was pretty close to call, and Margarito and Calzaghe were also close to call.
It has to be Antonio Margarito for me. Great repeat performance against Cintron, then beat down one of the top p4p fighters in the world. 2008 has been good for him.
I had Pacquiao losing to Marquez by a point, so I cannot give it to Manny, even though he officially won. lol