Another year in boxing is almost complete so it's time to remember, and reward, those who made it a memorable one. Here, Tony Bellew hands out his awards to those who made huge impressions in 2022.
Fighter of the Year: Dmitry Bivol
Ed Mulholland/Matchroom
Who else can you really say apart from Dmitry Bivol? I’ve always believed the current WBA light-heavyweight champion was a good fighter, but his performances in 2022 have took him to another level.
Starting in May, Bivol faced the brilliant Canelo Alvarez, and let’s be honest, he made it look easy at times. Regular readers of my column for DAZN will know how much I admire Canelo and that still remains the same, so for Bivol to go in there and defeat him the way he did shows you the level he’s capable of fighting at.
As well as beating Canelo, Bivol made it a Mexican double when he dominated Gilberto Ramirez in November. Ramirez was no doubt a highly rated contender at 175lbs, but that didn’t stop Bivol from making it look easy. He’s my fighter of the year and I think it’s one of the most straightforward picks about.
Fight of the Year: Katie Taylor WPTS Amanda Serrano
Ed Mulholland / Matchroom
This was a very difficult choice. I was there when Leigh Wood stopped Michael Conlan in the final round in one of most brutal fights I’ve ever seen. Most years, that fight would hands down take this award, but one month later, I was in New York City for Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano, and what I witnessed was breathtaking.
For ten rounds, these two fantastic women fought like their entire lives counted on it and they took women’s boxing to another level. The fight turned in many ways in front of a sold-out Madison Square Garden, but it was Taylor that emerged victorious in an instant classic. I’m praying that the pair do it again next year in Dublin.
Knockout of the Year: Joe Cordina KO2 Kenichi Ogawa
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Another fight where I could've picked Leigh Wood over Michael Conlan, but Joe Cordina’s stoppage of Kenichi Ogawa was a blow that saw the Welshman become a world star with one shot. Ogawa arrived in Wales with a formidable reputation, and he was expected to provide Cordina with his toughest test to date.
In the second round, Cordina was warming into the contest, and you could see that he was comfortable in there, but what happened next was stunning. A well-timed right hand landed on Ogawa and the fight was over. Cordina was world champion, and he reached that status with the best punch he’s ever thrown. Hopefully, he can build on that next year as he’s a real talent.
Upset of the Year: Dmitry Bivol WPTS Canelo Alvarez
Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing
I've already spoken about the Bivol vs. Canelo fight earlier in this piece and it takes another award as nobody expected Bivol to win. Canelo went into that bout as the undisputed ruler at 168lbs and he’s already beaten Sergey Kovalev at light-heavyweight in 2019. Bivol wasn’t supposed to have a chance and I didn’t really give him one either.
What took place was simply brilliant as Bivol took the fight to Canelo from the start with the Mexican unable to answer what was coming his way. A rematch between the pair has been mentioned, and that has huge potential, but can Canelo improve enough to settle the series against the Bivol? That remains to be seen.