Yuri Gamboa
IS THERE A STANDOUT BOXER OF 2011?
San Francisco, CA– Having given considerable thought as to who should be the “2011 Fighter of The Year,” I’m stumped. First of all, Manny Pacquiao isn’t even on my list of nominees. His decision to fight perceived “softies” blew up in his face when Juan Manuel Marquez showed just how easy it will be for Floyd Mayweather to beat the Philippine Congressman. My nominees are Nonito Donaire, Andre Ward, Sergio Martinez, Saul Alvarez, Austin Trout, Yuri Gamboa, Miguel Cotto, Lucien Bute, Vitali Klitschko, Juan Manuel Marquez.
MAYWEATHER & PACQUIAO DIDN’T DO ENOUGH IN 2011
Floyd Mayweather fought once, albeit a KO of Victor Ortiz, so inactivity takes him out of the running. Wladimir Klitschko isn’t, in my opinion worthy. Bernard Hopkins, although the oldest world champion in professional boxing history, fighting Jean Pascal doesn’t put you in contention. Abner Mares’ low blow fest with Joseph Agbeko takes him out of the running. Amir Khan, or A Mere Con, wouldn’t have been in contention even if he’d have beaten Lamont Peterson, who while upsetting Khan was significant, it too didn’t make me add him to my list of nominees.
WHO DO YOU THINK DESERVES THE HONOR?
Did I leave anybody out? I’m going out on a limb and picking Yuri Gamboa, the Cuban exile now being trained by Emanuel Steward. You can leave your selection and comments below.
Pedro Fernandez