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Years not over but there's only one significant fight left and that's Ward vs Froch. No dominant candidate this year, the field is wide open. Here are the top in my opinion.
Nonito Donaire:
Wins: Fernando Montiel (TKO 2), Omar Narvaez (UD)
Probably the favorite, his win over Fernando Montiel was KO of the year and possibly the best performance of 2011, considering Montiel was a top 10 P4P fighter and Donaire moved up in weight to win the belt. Although his next fight against Omar Narvaez was a disappointment, Donaire was still dominant in a near shutout.
Manny Pacquaio:
Wins: Shane Mosley (UD), Juan Manuel Marquez (MD)
Manny still probably has the best two wins of 2011 simply based on resume, but his lack of a spectacular win and his questionable decision over Marquez hurt his case.
Andre Ward/Carl Froch:
Wins: Andre Ward UD Athur Abraham, Carl Froch MD Glen Johnson
Upcoming fights: Andre Ward vs Carl Froch
Put these two together because it comes down to their fight Dec 17. The winner will probably be a top 2 favorite.
Juan Manuel Marquez:
Wins: Likar Ramos (TKO 1)
Losses: Manny Pacquaio (UD)
I don't know of any fighter to win FOTY with a loss, but if the case can be made for anyone, it's Juan Manuel Marquez. His one round KO of Likar Ramos means little, but his performance against Pacquaio as an 8-1 underdog was the most surprising of the year.
Bernard Hopkins:
Wins: Jean Pascal (UD)
Losses: Chad Dawson (TKO 2)
Hopkins put on one of the most historic performances ever in beating Jean Pascal to become the oldest champion in history. He certainly would have it locked up had he beaten Chad Dawson, but lossed in a controversial TKO ruling.
Brandon Rios:
Wins: Miguel Acosta (TKO 10), Urbano Antillon (KO 3)
Upcoming fights: John Murray
A darkhorse candidate, especially if he beats Murray. Rios became world champion this year by TKO of Miguel Acosta, and then followed it up with a spectacular performance against Urbano Antillon.
Wladimir Klitschko:
Wins: David Haye (UD)
Upcoming fights: Jean Mormeck
Based off of dominance more than anything. Shutout Haye in the biggest heavyweight fight in years. Case can be made if he beats Mormeck.
Amir Khan:
Wins: Paul McCloskey (TD 6), Zab Judah (KO 5)
Upcoming fights: Lamont Peterson
If Amir Khan puts on another dominating performance against Lamont Peterson on Dec 10, it can be argued that Khan had the most consistent year of any fighter, and was the busiest fighter of any candidate.
Sergio Martinez:
Wins: Serhiy Dzinziruk (TKO 8), Darren Barker (KO 11)
Defending 2010 FOTY, two dominating wins over two good opponents.
Nonito Donaire:
Wins: Fernando Montiel (TKO 2), Omar Narvaez (UD)
Probably the favorite, his win over Fernando Montiel was KO of the year and possibly the best performance of 2011, considering Montiel was a top 10 P4P fighter and Donaire moved up in weight to win the belt. Although his next fight against Omar Narvaez was a disappointment, Donaire was still dominant in a near shutout.
Manny Pacquaio:
Wins: Shane Mosley (UD), Juan Manuel Marquez (MD)
Manny still probably has the best two wins of 2011 simply based on resume, but his lack of a spectacular win and his questionable decision over Marquez hurt his case.
Andre Ward/Carl Froch:
Wins: Andre Ward UD Athur Abraham, Carl Froch MD Glen Johnson
Upcoming fights: Andre Ward vs Carl Froch
Put these two together because it comes down to their fight Dec 17. The winner will probably be a top 2 favorite.
Juan Manuel Marquez:
Wins: Likar Ramos (TKO 1)
Losses: Manny Pacquaio (UD)
I don't know of any fighter to win FOTY with a loss, but if the case can be made for anyone, it's Juan Manuel Marquez. His one round KO of Likar Ramos means little, but his performance against Pacquaio as an 8-1 underdog was the most surprising of the year.
Bernard Hopkins:
Wins: Jean Pascal (UD)
Losses: Chad Dawson (TKO 2)
Hopkins put on one of the most historic performances ever in beating Jean Pascal to become the oldest champion in history. He certainly would have it locked up had he beaten Chad Dawson, but lossed in a controversial TKO ruling.
Brandon Rios:
Wins: Miguel Acosta (TKO 10), Urbano Antillon (KO 3)
Upcoming fights: John Murray
A darkhorse candidate, especially if he beats Murray. Rios became world champion this year by TKO of Miguel Acosta, and then followed it up with a spectacular performance against Urbano Antillon.
Wladimir Klitschko:
Wins: David Haye (UD)
Upcoming fights: Jean Mormeck
Based off of dominance more than anything. Shutout Haye in the biggest heavyweight fight in years. Case can be made if he beats Mormeck.
Amir Khan:
Wins: Paul McCloskey (TD 6), Zab Judah (KO 5)
Upcoming fights: Lamont Peterson
If Amir Khan puts on another dominating performance against Lamont Peterson on Dec 10, it can be argued that Khan had the most consistent year of any fighter, and was the busiest fighter of any candidate.
Sergio Martinez:
Wins: Serhiy Dzinziruk (TKO 8), Darren Barker (KO 11)
Defending 2010 FOTY, two dominating wins over two good opponents.
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