TEN ROUNDS: END OF YEAR EDITION

(From braggingrightscorner.com - Tony Montgomery)

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Round 1, Manny Pacquiao: Manny Pacquiao owned 2009 in boxing. His victory over Oscar De La Hoya came late in 2008 and he kept on rolling into 09 with huge wins over Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. It was not that long ago if I were to be asked who wins a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao I would have quickly answered Mayweather. After watching Pacquiao this year I honestly don't know how I would answer that question today. Floyd and Manny are the two best fighters in the world when they step into the ring anything can happen. I can make valid points on why both of them would win the fight. No crazy predictions claiming Pacquiao is going to get destroyed this time.

Round 2, Super Six: The Super Six tournament is on of the best things to happen to boxing in a long time. Take six of the best fighters in a weight class put them in a round robin tournament and find out who's the best. I hope this great idea will find its way into other weight classes. This is exactly what boxing is about, finding out who is the best in a weight class. On a side note, Lou DiBella should be congratulated for stepping down as Jermain Taylor's promoter. Taylor, one of the participants in this classic tournament, has suffered brutal knockout loses in two consecutive fights. Rather than sit by and watch his fighter get seriously injured, DiBella walked away not wanting any part of what could happen. And don't get it twisted, DiBella did not make this move to make himself look good, he didn't pull a Pontius Pilate and simply wash his hands to signify he would not be held responsible for any serious injury that could occur to Taylor. He did it because he cared, not because he didn't want to share the blame.

Round 3, The Heavyweights: It was another dismal year in the heavyweight division. We saw the Klitschko's continue to hold the heavyweight crown hostage in boring fight after boring fight. WHERE IS THE EXCITEMENT? I think it may have finally arrived in David Haye or at least I hope so. The heavyweight division needs a leader in the worst way. Someone we can get excited about, but where the hell is he? David Haye may make things more exciting but the heavyweight division has not seen true excitement since the days of Mike Tyson. Thank god for Middleweight and Welterweights!

Round 4, Poor judgment: Boxing has always seen its share of poor officiating and judging over the years but, goodness people, it is the year 2009. Why haven't we found a system that truly works yet? Why should a fighter's career -not to mention his or her well being- be put in the hands of someone who obviously doesn't get it? How can two judges score a fight so close only to have the third score come up so differently? Something needs to change and change soon. I'm tired of seeing fighters getting screwed because the judges are clearly not paying attention or have no clue of what thy are doing.

Round 5, The passing of Legends: The boxing world lost three great champions this year. Arturo Gatti, Vernon Forrest, and Alexis Arguello all left us much to early and will be missed by us all. Many more fighters and people who worked in boxing this year have passed boxrec.com has a list here http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Category:2009_Deaths. I wish you all the best on the other side.

Round 6, Margarito's hands: Antonio Margarito went from one of boxing's most exciting stars to one of boxing's biggest embarrassments in the blink of an eye. Before his fight with Shane Mosley Margarito was caught using loaded hand wraps. Boxing gets enough "black eyes" every year, which make the headlines every time. Thank you Antonio Margarito for bringing more shame to the boxing world, it's exactly what boxing doesn't need.

Round 7, MMA: Another year has passed and MMA still hasn't killed boxing like so many say will happen. Neither sport are going anywhere anytime soon. I've started to see a trend that I like. Shows that incorporate both MMA and boxing. It's a great way to bridge the fans together. Fans of boxing get a chance to see MMA fights live and perhaps become a fan and vice versa. I've never been a huge fan of MMA but I do respect the fighters and what they do the same way I respect a boxer for climbing in the ring.

Round 8, The end of Roy Jones: Roy Jones started the year with impressive victories over Omar Sheika and Jeff Lacy. Jones looked impressive enough to start raising a few eyebrows once again. That was until a few weeks ago when Danny Green stopped him in the first round and with the loss a potential showdown between Bernard Hopkins probably went down the drain. It's very clear that Roy Jones needs to finally hang up the gloves and begin the next chapter of his life. To many fighters hang around far to long and end up paying a heavy price in the end. Roy you were one of if not the best fighter of your generation now do yourself and your fans a favor and walk away.

Round 9, Instant Replay: Instant replay was introduced into boxing this year and I for one am very happy to see it's arrival. This is a feature that should have had made its entrance long ago. No longer will a fighter lose a fight on cuts when it was clearly a headbutt that caused the laceration. This is a step in the right direction for the sport of boxing. Now if we can just find something to do about those damn judges.

Round 10, 2010: All in all, 2009 was another great year in boxing. Manny Pacquiao dominated it, making a case to be called one of the greatest fighters of all time. The Super Six tournament will hopefully catch on in other weight classes and of course the return of Floyd Mayweather. Here's to 2010 and hopefully another great year!