As 2023 draws to a close, boxing enthusiasts reflect on a year filled with captivating events and outstanding individual performances. The intriguing question of who deserves the title of Fighter of the Year now surfaces. A query that always sparks debates among fans. Notably, contenders like Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, David Benavidez, and Devin Haney have all delivered stellar performances throughout the year.
However, the spotlight narrows down to the top three, as per the post of Michael Benson. Now this is where choosing between these three proves challenging but ultimately forms the crux of the race for the Pound-for-Pound best. However, let’s take a peek at the individual leaps of these three fighters that they’ve taken this year.
Fighter of the Year: is it Naoya Inoue, Terence Crawford, or Devin Haney?
This year, Naoya Inoue showcased his exceptional prowess by venturing into his fourth weight division. His remarkable journey included securing victories over Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales, a feat that crowned him as the undisputed super-bantamweight champion. ‘The Monster’ continued to captivate fans with his extraordinary combination of power-punching and speed. He rendered knockouts a routine spectacle in the lower weight classes.
In 2023, Terence Crawford’s sole victory held immense significance as it came against a formidable opponent, Errol Spence Jr. Spence Jr is someone who shared the top three spots with him in the Pound-for-Pound rankings. The clash unfolded between unbeaten welterweight legends, elevating Crawford’s status in the all-time great category. His triumph over Spence not only demonstrated his superiority in the ring but also showcased his potential to challenge any welterweight in history.
Haney’s remarkable 2023 campaign positions him as a compelling candidate for Boxer of the Year. At just 25 years old, he delivered a stellar performance by outpointing former pound-for-pound king Vasyl Lomachenko in May. Therefore, he showcased his prowess in the lightweight division. Not content with this achievement, Haney then ascended to the 140-pound category. That’s where he dominated Regis Prograis in a commanding shutout, securing a second world title in a different weight class.
So all three boxers make a good case for their candidacy for this year’s nominations. However, the fans have also given their verdict about the 2023 P4P king.
Fans decide their Fighter of the Year 2023
The renowned boxing reporter Michael Benson posed a question to the boxing fans about this annual accolade that is majorly set for three names in the boxing world. So the fans make their choice known in the comments section.
One of the fans chose the name of Naoya Inoue, as he’s conquered two divisions, claiming all of the four belts.
So, the fans didn’t waste any time in letting everybody know, who is the fighter of the year according to them. However, they still need to await the results as it could turn the tables for them. What are your choices here? Let us know in the comments section.
