Winners of WBC Best of The Year

After a very competitive  poll, combining and melding the recognition and admiration of the voters, here’s the fans’ choice, for the supreme BEST of 2018.

Although there can only be one winner in each of the World Boxing Council categories, we congratulate  all the nominees, who represent the very best of the WBC both  inside and outside  of the ring.

Boxer of the year: Oleksandr Usyk

 Olympic gold medalist in  2012, Oleksandr Usyk had a fantastic 2018, in which  he won the Muhammad Ali Trophy in the WBSS Tournament,  becoming the undisputed WBC cruiserweight champion. On November 10, he simultaneously defended, plus unified all of his belts against Briton Tony Bellew, knocking him out in the eighth round,  to hammer the stamp of authority on his handiwork. 

Fight of the year: Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury

This was the most anticipated fight by fans and experts alike. Held on December 1 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, two of the best heavyweights fought,  in a stand and deliver war of power and skills  that ended in a draw, begging the high anticipation possibility and question of a rematch.

KO of the year: Oleksandr  Usyk vs. Tony Bellew

 From the Arena in Manchester, England, Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk showed just why he’s considered one of the best pound for pound punchers, by knocking out Liverpudlian Tony Bellew in the eighth round. Despite Tony’s valiant attempts to get back up, he was overwhelmed by the tremendous power and accuracy of Usyk’s follow up fists.

Comeback of the Year: Tyson Fury

 Britain’s Tyson Fury, who’s the former world heavyweight champion, returned to the ring in almost Lazarus  fashion, after nearly two and a half years of absence, having defeated Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015. Firstly he  defeated  Albanian Sefer Seferi in the fourth round in June. this year. Fury’s “Boxing Day,” early Christmas present in  December,  was a wondrous  fight against Deontay Wilder.

Revelation of the year: Oleksandr Gvozdyk

 After his debut in 2014 Oleksandr Gvozdyk has shown his boxing quality by winning 13 of his 16 fights via fast track. By far his most important victory was on December 1. That night he  knocked out  Adonis Stevenson, at 2:49 minutes of the eleventh round, conquering the WBC light heavyweight crown.

Fans Choice Award: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez

 This year, Saul established himself as the best Mexican boxer, so much so that he received the 2018 National Sports Award from then  President Enrique Peña Nieto at the Official Residence of Los Pinos. Saul conquered the WBC middleweight title by Defeating Gennady Golovkin.

Prospect of the year: Tony Yoka

The Olympic champion of the heavyweights in Rio 2016, is emerging as a superb pro fighter who could quickly contest for the world crown. The big  Frenchman has won four of his five bouts by way of KO, since his professional debut in June 2017.

Most dramatic fight of the year: Adonis Stevenson vs. Badou Jack

 An absolute top notch hair trigger thriller between Stevenson and Jack at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. Both fighters fought brilliantly, intensely  and bravely for the full  12 rounds,  throwing an extraordinary array, variety and volume of punches in an intense battle of sheer willpower.

Round of the year: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs. Francisco Estrada (R12)

In a fight to savor on February 24, WBC super flyweight world champion, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, demonstrated his quality and ferocity,  winning the majority decision over the tremendous Juan Francisco Estrada in an action-packed clash. Best for last, as the twelfth round was by far the most intense with some fans on the edge of their seats, while others were jumping to their feet.

Humanitarian award of the year: Mikey Garcia

 With an undefeated record since his debut in 2006, Mikey Garcia is not only a five-time world champion in four categories . he also had an amazing year by defeating Robert Easter Jr., last July and  also conquering the WBC Diamond championship in the super lightweight division. 

Trainer of the year: Eddy Reynoso 

Eddy Reynoso has been instrumental in the fantastic success of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez who is now the most impressive star of Mexican boxing. Eddy  has dedicated himself to transforming  the young and promising Guadalajara amateur fighter into the very best fighter and champion. This process has been going on  since Saul started training aged just six.

Event of the year: Saul Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin

Golovkin vs. Alvarez, was one of those nights that will be remembered forever. It was held at the vast T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez became the new WBC champion in the middleweight division by beating Kazakh Gennady Golovkin by points. It was the finest of Green and Gold to be hold.