2022 FanSided boxing end of the year awards revealed

The end of the year is upon us so here are some of the standouts.

As we quickly approach Christmas and New Year’s, it is now time to start recognizing some fighters that made a significant impact throughout the year that merit being recognized for their achievements. Although this isn’t a long list of categories, myself and fellow FanSided contributor Hector Franco give you our picks for each and why those fighters should be recognized. We cannot wait to see what 2023 brings us when it comes to the sweet science.

Fighter of the Year: Naoya Inoue and Dmitry Bivol

Gonzalez: When thinking about Fighter of the Year, my thoughts were split between the undisputed bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (24-0) and WBA light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol (21-0). In saying that, there can only be one, and my pick is the 29-year-old from Zama, Kanagawa, Japan. Although Bivol took down the pound-for-pound king in Saul’ Canelo’ Alvarez (58-2-2) back in May and beat Gilberto’ Zurdo’ Ramirez (44-1) months after, it was the bantamweight Inoue that stood out for me just a little more. In June, during their second fight, he destroyed future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire (42-7) in a way that no other fighter had ever done in his career. Also, just last week, he completed his goal of capturing every title in the bantamweight division by defeating Paul Butler and stopping him in the eleventh. The ‘Monster’ Inoue is my pick as the world awaits how he will fair in the super bantamweight division starting next year.

Franco: The days of fighters at the top of the sport regularly fighting more than twice a year are long and gone. All we can ask is for them to take on elite fighters when they step into the ring. Dmitry Bivol (20-1) did that and then some in 2022. As a 4 to 1 underdog, he dominated Saul Alvarez in a performance that left many wondering if he took it easy on the Mexican. He followed up with another commanding victory over Gilberto Ramirez in what was viewed as a 50-50 bout. Bivol elevated his stature in 2022 more than anybody.

Fight of the Year: Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano and Sebastian Fundora vs. Erickson Lubin

Gonzalez: Only one fight comes to mind when thinking of this category. There simply wasn’t a more significant event than Katie Taylor (22-0) vs. Amanda Serrano (43-2-1) at The Madison Square Garden in New York City. With the massive machine of the WWE running point on the media and marketing of the fight, when the ring walks began, it truly felt like the biggest fight you have ever seen. Aside from the ring walks that got the Garden rockin’, when the two women met in the middle of the ring, you can read Serrano’s lips saying, “This is crazy” to Taylor as she tried her best not to get caught up in the moment. Oh, by the way, the fight over delivered with high drama and non-stop action throughout the ten rounds. The fight was so close and exciting that boxing fans are making this one of the fights to anticipate in 2023.

Franco: The junior middleweight division has consistently been one of the best weight classes in all of boxing. Sebastian Fundora (20-0-1) and Erickson Lubin (24-2) participated in a back-and-forth clash with continuous sustained action in a battle of southpaws for the WBC interim title. At a towering 6’5, Fundora fought Lubin on the inside in a bout where the clinches and holding could be counted on one hand. Lubin fought through Fundora’s persistent volume of punches by throwing with him and in between exchanges. Ultimately, Fundora overwhelmed Lubin forcing his corner to stop the fight after nine punishing, action-packed rounds.

Knockout of the Year: Caleb Plant left hook of Anthony Dirrell and Jordan Gill’s one-punch KO over France’s Karim Guerfi

Gonzalez: There were many huge knockouts this year but the Caleb Plant (22-1) left hook that destroyed Anthony Dirrell (34-3-2) is at the top of the list for me. Both men were going at each other all week, and although it was good for the promotion, many thought we would get a twelve-round decision type of fight until, bang, Plant lands a perfectly executed punch sending Dirrell down and out. It was the best thing that could have happened for Plant coming off the loss to Canelo, but the knockout made the fight against David Benavidez next year one of the most anticipated.

Franco: At the O2 Arena in London, the United Kingdom’s Jordan Gill (27-2-1) scored an unbelievable come-from-behind one-punch knockout over France’s Karim Guerfi (31-7). With Gill down on all three judges’ scorecards and down once in the seventh round, the fight was Guerfi’s for the taking. On the ropes for the majority of the ninth round, the Frenchman was unloading on Gill, but with 10 seconds left, a short overhand right landed that sent Guerfi on his back. Referee Thomas Walser immediately waived off the bout. Gill’s righthand may have been the knockout of 2022 and the comeback.

Prospect of the Year: Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and Keyshawn “The Businessman” Davis

Gonzalez: He’s got all of the things you are looking for in a future star, and Top Rank knows that they have something special with Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (5-0) from Brooklyn, NY. He fought four times this year and impressed each outing. The 25-year-old featherweight knows that his time will come as long as he stays patient and dominates his opponents. The world got a glimpse of Carrington in 2022, but next year, I expect him to be on everyone’s radar as he continues to dominate with his balanced attack and patient approach.

Franco: Norfolk, Virginia’s Keyshawn “The Businessman” Davis (7-0) has had the eye of fans and pundits since winning the silver medal at the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo. Davis, in 2022 has shown the makings of a future world champion. At such an early stage, Davis passes the eye test exhibiting the skill set of a veteran at times. Throughout the years, Top Rank has proven to be the premier matchmaker in all boxing, and the lightweight division is currently at a peak level. If Davis stays at lightweight, numerous opponents are available that can take him from prospect to champion.