By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

 

FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: Juan Manuel Marquez

The Mexican warrior wins mega fight IV vs. Manny Pacquiao in December by a spectacular knockout. The result gives Marquez his first definitive victory in his epic four-fight series against arguably one of the best in boxing today.  Marquez also recorded a one-sided win over Sergey Fedchenko in April to win the vacant interim junior welterweight title.

Runner Ups (in order): Nonito Donaire; Danny Garcia.

 

FIGHT OF THE YEAR: Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado (October 10, 2012)

This fight was even on the scorecards through six rounds. It provided vicious exchanges by both fighters who performed at the highest level in boxing. Neither one gave an inch from the beginning to the end and both averaged over 100 punches per round. However, at the end, Rios showed more of a will to win by recording a sixth round stoppage. Both fighters were unbeaten with a combined record of 63 wins, no losses, and one draw going into this titanic match (Rios 30-0-1 and Alvarado 33-0).

Runner Ups (in order): Orlando Salido vs. Juan Manuel Lopez II; Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.; Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez.

 

ROUND OF THE YEAR: Orlando Salido vs. Juan Manuel Lopez II,  Round Nine (March 10, 2012)

An outstanding fight throughout. After a great round eight, round nine proved to be nothing less than spectacular, a round for the ages with both providing non-stop action every second of that round.

Runner Ups (in order): Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado (round 5); Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Sergio Martinez (round 12).

 

KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR: Juan Manuel Marquez over Manny Pacquiao, Round Six (December 8, 2012)

Slightly behind on points in an action packed fight, Marquez catches Pacquiao in the sixth round with a perfect straight right hand counter punch than drops the Filipino to the canvas as the referee counts him out.

Runner Ups (in order): Danny Garcia over Erik Morales (KO 4 ); Angelo Santana over Juan Garcia (KO 5); Gary Russell Jr. over Roberto Castaneda (KO 3).

 

UPSET OF THE YEAR: Josesito Lopez over Victor Ortiz, KO Round Nine (June 23, 2012)

Josesito Lopez fought the fight of his life. He showed speed, combinations, ability to lead counter and enough power to stun his opponent, plus the willingness to mix it up with the hard hitting Ortiz.  Both fighters showed guts and toughness, but it was Lopez, who was behind on points up to the stoppage through nine rounds, that fought brilliantly.

Runner Ups (in order): Danny Garcia over Amir Khan (KO 4); Timothy Bradley over Manny Pacquiao (Split Decision 12).

 

Top dozen boxers “pound for pound” ranking ending year 2012

1.  Floyd Mayweather Jr.

2.  Andre Ward

3.  Sergio Martinez

4.  Nonito Donaire

5.  Juan Manuel Marquez

6.  Timothy Bradley

7.  Manny Pacquiao

8.  Wladimar Klitschko

9.  Carl Froch

10. Abner Mares

11. Vitali Klitschko

12. Chris John