Fansided

FanSided’s 2020 boxing awards and greatest moments of the year

By Jeremy Herriges

Boxing:Canelo Alvarez Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports)
Boxing:Canelo Alvarez Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
Jermell Charlo and Derrick James
Jermell Charlo spars with his trainer Derrick James (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2020 Boxing Trainer of the Year: Derrick James

When it comes to training boxers, this was Derrick James’ year. He doesn’t have the largest stable of boxers, but two fighters and two fights guaranteed his place as the best trainer of 2020.

James guided Jermell Charlo to his knockout win over Jeison Rosario in September during the Charlo twins’ special pay-per-view double-feature on Showtime. Rosario was never in the fight, and Charlo looked intensely focused on beating Rosario.

Charlo knocked Rosario out with a left jab to Rosario’s body. It was a strange occurrence to see Rosario writhing on the canvas in pain from a jab. Charlo admitted that to FanSided during the post-fight press conference. He attributed the result to the damage done to Rosario throughout the fight. Charlo unified the division and has three out of the four major titles.

James’ other pupil and unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. successfully returned to the ring after a devastating car accident in October of 2019 that almost cost Spence his life.

Many wondered how Spence would look after the accident, and he answered all questions with a superb boxing display against former champion Danny Garcia on Dec. 5. Spence was in tremendous shape and controlled the fight throughout its entirety to retain his IBF and WBC titles.

James’ work with Charlo and Spence are enough to make him a lock for the 2020 trainer of the year. His two champions are kings of their divisions and could stay in power for some time to come.

Home/Boxing