The WBA reveal their 2021 Boxer of the Year
The World Boxing Association announced their chosen two 'Boxers of the Year 2021' in the male and female category.
Despite a tumultuous year where nothing was ever certain, due to the worldwide pandemic, but boxing has benefits and managed to strive on through the struggles regardless, producing some memorable fights and historic moments, such as when Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez became the first ever undisputed super-middleweight champion in a four-belt era. It's no surprise then, that the pound for pound king was crowned WBA's 'Best Boxer of the Year 2021', while another fighter of Mexican descent also picked up the same award in the female category.
See the award winners below:
Boxer of the Year 2021
Saul Canelo Alvarez
31-year-old four-weight ruler Saul “Canelo” Alvarez was awarded Boxer of the Year 2021 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) because he has become the undisputed 168-pound champion and continues to be the number one pound-for-pound boxer in the sport.
The Mexican from Guadalajara entered 2021 with a clear goal to make three fights that would mark the path to having all four belts in the super-middleweight division and he achieved his quest for supremacy, starting with WBA World super-middleweight champion Callum Smith in December 2021 – within just 11 months.
In February he easily defeated Turkish Avni Yildirim to defend his WBA and WBC crowns, then in May he faced then WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders to take that belt from the Brit, and in November he completed his goal with a victory over Caleb Plant, who held the IBF belt.
Thus, the Guadalajara native became the owner of all the super middleweight belts and, therefore, the Boxer of the Year for two years in a row. In 2022, the 60-fight veteran is planning on becoming a cruiserweight world champion to urther secure his legacy in boxing as a five-weight world champion.
Female Boxer of the Year
Seniesa Estrada
With a very active and successful year in the 10th year of career, Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada was selected by the World Boxing Association as the 2021 Boxer of the Year.
It began in March, when the Californian fought in Texas against former champion Anabel “Avispa” Ortiz. After 10 rounds of action, 29-year-old Seniesa prevailed in the judges’ scorecards, which unanimously proclaimed her as the new 105lbs WBA belt holder.
In July, Seniesa Estrada faced oriental fighter Tenkai Tsunami and also achieved a complete victory in defense of the WBO belt in the higher mini flyweight category, in what was a new conquest for “Super Bad”.
And at the end of the year, more precisely on December 18, 2021, the Los Angeles-born Estrada defended the minimum black and gold belt with a spectacular technical knockout in the fourth round against unbeaten South American Maria Micheo.
The LA lady rose to fame in 2020 when she scored the fastest KO in women's boxing history, knocking out 42-year-old Miranda Adkins in seven seconds!
Following on from her continued success, Seniesa Carmen Estrada remains undefeated with 22 fights, with nine KOs, and became a two-weight world champion in 2021. Next year, she seeks to defend her WBA minimumweight honours, while unifying the other titles.
Other Awards:
Best Women's Fight of the Year
Katie Taylor vs Tasha Jonas
Best Fight of the Year
Juan Francisco Estrada vs Roman Gonzalez
Knockout of the Year
Conor Benn KO4 Chris Algieri
Trainer of the Year
Eddy Reynoso
Promoter of the Year
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing