WHO WILL BE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: CRAWFORD, LOMACHENKO OR WARD? PART II
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Dec 2016
Terence Crawford is the favorite among the three candidates to win the Fighter of the Year honors. Crawford is ranked by The Ring as the world's fifth best boxer, pound for pound, and was voted Fighter of the Year for 2014 by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).
Crawford defended his junior welterweight championship on February 27 with an astounding fifth-round TKO of Hank Lundy before a sellout crowd of 5,092 at the Theater of Madison Square Garden. Crawford connected with 89 of 247 punches (36%), compared to 47 of 411 for Lundy (22%).
Crawford and Viktor Postol, both undefeated faced each other during the much awaited super-lightweight unification fight on July 23 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Both fighters climbed the ring with a record of 28 wins, no losses. Both boxers also fought at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the first time in their respective careers.
Crawford won by unanimous decision and unified two light welterweight world titles and also claimed the vacant lineal and Ring Magazine titles. Crawford scored two quick knockdowns in the fifth round, winning on all three scorecards 118-107, 118-107 and 117-108.
On December 10, at Crawford's hometown at CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska he fought John Molina, Jr. who was four pounds overweight. Molina gave $400,000 of his purse to Crawford, and gave up his rights to challenge the titles.
Crawford defended successfully his titles in stopping Molina in the 8th round before a large hometown crowd in Omaha. Crawford was clearly dominating the out of shape Molina. In round 8, Crawford stopped Molina with combinations to the head and to the body causing referee Mark Nelson to stop the punishment. Crawford landed 184 punches out of 419 thrown, while Molina landed 41 of 287 thrown.
Other boxers considered by some American writers for the prestgious BWAA FOTY Award are Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez, Carl Frampton and Manny Pacquiao.
Photo: Terence Crawford (C) receives his WBO Fighter of the Year for 2015 plaque from WBO ratings committee chairman Luis Batista Salas (L) and WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024