The world of boxing has been rife with debates and differing opinions going into the New Year. One topic that has been generating considerable heat is the discussion surrounding the Fighter of the Year accolade. American lightweight champion Devin Haney has been a fan favorite for the honor. However, veteran coach Abel Sanchez believes that Haney shouldn’t carry the title — at least not this year.
According to Sanchez, some other fighters have shown more prowess and dominance in their respective divisions in the past year, a merit factor strongly considered when it comes down to front-runners for the title. His picks to receive the esteemed award are Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, or José Benavidez.
“I’m not trying to downgrade Devin Haney’s accomplishments,” explains Sanchez. He added, “Haney is undoubtedly a brilliant boxer and has a bright future ahead, but when we talk about the Fighter of the Year, we must look at the level of competition and the dominance shown.” This comment left no doubts about Sanchez’s opinion about who should be greeting this prestigious honor.
Sanchez’s nomination of Terence Crawford for Fighter of the Year shouldn’t come as a surprise. Crawford held the WBO welterweight title since 2018 and has successfully defended his title four times. The most recent defense was a masterful knockout of Kell Brook in the fourth round in November 2020. His undisputed dominance and consistent performance throughout the year make him a strong contender for the title.
Naoya Inoue, the Japanese bantamweight champion, is another top contender. Known for his powerful punches and relentless aggression, Inoue has been an unstoppable force in his weight division. His most remarkable feat this past year was his successful defense against Jason Moloney in October, ending in a seventh-round knockout. With 20 wins and no losses to date, Inoue’s record speaks for itself.
José Benavidez is the last on Sanchez’s list and another force to be reckoned with. His most noticeable performance in 2020 was his knockout victory over Kyrone Davis. With his 27-1 record and a WBA interim title under his belt, Benavidez has shown impeccable ring craft and stamina, making him an easy favorite for the Fighter of the Year honor.
Devin Haney, the current WBC lightweight champion, has also had a fantastic year. However, Sanchez believes that though Haney is a promising young talent, his competitors have shown more dynamism and command in their performances. Haney certainly has a bright career ahead, but maybe 2020 is not to be his triumphant year for honors.
The Fighter of the Year title involves a lot more than just a personal achievement. It embodies months and years of sweat, dedication, and constant improvement. As we edge closer to the year-end, all eyes are on the Boxing Association’s decision — whether it will lean more towards fan favorites like Haney or well-established boxing juggernauts like Crawford, Inoue, or Benavidez.
Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: all four fighters remained on top of their game throughout the year and displayed prime boxing performances for fans worldwide. They have all earned their rightful place in boxing history and have set the bar high for their successors.
Can a young lion like Haney overtake seasoned champions like Crawford, Inoue, or Benavidez for the title of Fighter of the Year? Only time will tell.
