Boxing’s Best of 2017: A year-end review of the world of boxing

Fighter of the year: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai

Terence Crawford and Vasyl Lomachenko are both worthy of being named fighter of the year in 2017. Crawford unified the super lightweight title, destroying  Julius Indongo. Lomachenko embarrassed Guillermo Rigondeaux to the point that Rigondeaux quit on his stool before the start of round seven. But Srisaket Sor Rungvisai is the boxer most deserving of this honor for his ability to defeat Roman Gonzalez in back-to-back fights.

Sor Rungvisai is not a household name because he fights in the super flyweight division which gets very little attention. Before his first bout with Gonzalez, Gonzalez was regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world. Sor Rungvisai had never fought in the U.S. and had never held a world title.

Sor Rungvisai’s U.S. debut against Gonzalez was a successful one, as he defeated Gonzalez by majority decision. He also knocked down Gonzalez in round one which further elevated his credibility as a power-punching champion. In reality, Sor Rungvisai would prove to be one of boxing’s best-kept secrets.

In their rematch in September, Sor Rungvisai proved that he is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Gonzalez was never in this fight. From start to finish, Sor Rungvisai controlled the action. His punches were faster, more powerful, and more accurate than Gonzalez’s.

In round four, Sor Rungvisai hit Gonzalez with a right-hook that put him down. Gonzalez got back to his feet, but the damage was done. Sor Rungvisai landed another right-hook that finished Gonzalez for good. Sor Rungvisai’s legacy was elevated, while Gonzalez’s was destroyed.

Crawford and Lomachenko are more popular boxers than Sor Rungvisai, but Sor Rungvisai’s two victories over Gonzalez are more impressive than Crawford’s and Lomachenko’s achievements in 2017. Sor Rungvisai is the 2017 fighter of the year.