FanSided’s 2019 boxing awards and review of boxing’s best moments

2019 Co-Fighters of the Year: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Katie Taylor

Put the gender labels to rest. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Katie Taylor are both elite boxers who were at the top of their game in 2019. They share the honor of being the Fighter of the Year.

Taylor won all three of her title bouts this year, which included moving up to super lightweight defeating Christina Linardatou for the WBA title. It was a competitive contest, but Taylor’s record remained flawless.

Five months prior, Taylor defeated Delfine Persoon in a grueling 10-round majority decision. Persoon is a phenomenal talent in her own right and pushed Taylor to the limit and gave her more adversity in the ring than she has ever experienced. Taylor passed the test and added to her growing legend.

Alvarez was also perfect in 2019. He defeated Daniel Jacobs and Sergey Kovalev, who are both former champions. Jacobs proved to be stiff competition, but Alvarez edged him out on the cards to earn a unanimous decision.

Alvarez’s trouncing of Kovalev added to his mythology. By moving up to light heavyweight and knocking out Kovalev in round 11, he won the WBO belt, notching the fourth division in which he has earned a world title. Kovalev may have been faded, but he’s still a power puncher that’s dangerous. Alvarez made history, which is why he deserves a share of this award alongside Taylor.

Taylor and Alvarez are positioned for colossal events in 2020. Taylor is eyeing another move up against undefeated fully-unified welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus, and Alvarez has three divisions he can toy with if he chooses. There’s a fair chance they could split the award again in 2020.