The WBC presents The Best of 2022
2022 was a great year for the world of boxing, during which we saw the fights we wanted, including the largest number of fights for the undisputed championship in the history of the sport.
This is taking a very important step towards the absolute and concise recognition of the best pound-for-pound fighters.
The year was filled with great moments, historic events in arenas around the world, outstanding performances, extraordinary knockouts, brilliant fights, and historic comebacks. Today we recognize, laud and recognize the efforts of our proud champions.
Like every year, the WBC had the support of sports fans to decide who was The Best of 2022.
The WBC also take this opportunity to recognise all the nominees and, of course, all the fighters in the world; who are are true heroes and heroines.
With respect and admiration, the WBC present the winners for The Best of 2022:
Fighter of the Year:
Tyson Fury
The “Gypsy King” had a year crammed with great activity. He faced Dillian Whyte in April at a sold-out Wembley Stadium; that night Fury took the victory with a spectacular KO. Subsequently, he faced Derek Chisora for the third time in Tottenham and again, the stadium was completely sold out; Fury got the win via TKO 10.
Naoya Inoue
Since his debut, the “Monster” has maintained performances of the highest level; however, this year activity was simply brilliant. Inoue has an undefeated pristine record, he has conquered three divisions and in 2022 he defeated Donaire and Butler to become the undisputed champion of the bantamweight division.
Female Fighter of the Year:
Katie Taylor
The undisputed lightweight champion made history this 2022. Taylor took the victory via MD against Amanda Serrano at The MSG in a thriller. Subsequently, she faced and defeated the then unbeaten Karen Elizabeth Carabajal.
Trainer of the Year:
Derrick James
Brilliant strategist, hard-working, elegant and classy. He has been in the sport’s elite for many years now, day by day in the corner of great world champions, including unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo.
KO of the Year:
Deontay Wilder vs Robert Helenius
Former heavyweight champion “Bronze Bomber” defeated Robert Helenius with a powerful and impressive right hand at two minutes and fifty-seven seconds of the first round at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Female KO of the Year:
Savannah Marshall vs Femke Hermans
Even though she was defeated by Shields in one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing history at the end of the year, in April Savannah Marshall put together a major defense via an impressive KO over Femke Hermans.
Female Fight of the Year:
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
The first women’s fight to star in a card at the Madison Square Garden. Many experts consider this battle to be the best in history; Katie took the fight via split decision. Fans are now clamoring for a rematch.
Fight of the Year:
Juan Francisco Estrada vs Roman Gonzalez III
The trilogy between Mexican Juan Francisco Gallo Estrada and Nicaraguan Román Chocolatito González turned out to be absolutely supreme once again. Now the advantage is 2-1 in favor of the Aztec. With this victory, Estrada consolidated his reign at super flyweight and even left the door open for a fourth fight between these two gladiators, future members of the Hall of Fame.
Dramatic Fight of the Year:
Jermell Charlo vs Brian Castaño II
At the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, in a long-awaited tiebreaker fight, Jermell Charlo became undisputed champion at 154 pounds by knocking out Argentine Brian Castaño. Both warriors went out into the ring to give everything from the first round and it did not disappoint anyone. Castaño got better as the fight went by, but Charlo used his greater distance and intelligence in the ring to successfully counterpunch the Argentine fighter. An accurate concluding power driving blow from Charlo came a few seconds from the end of the tenth round.
Dramatic Female Fight of the Year:
Fabiana Bytiqi vs Elizabeth Lopez Corzo
In Ferizaj, Kosovo, the undefeated Czech Fabiana Bytyqi retained her Atom title by drawing in a close match with the Mexican Elizabeth López Corzo. The champion used distance and waist movements well. As the rounds progressed, the Mexican shortened the distance landing punches to the body and head. In the final rounds Fabiana regained control to match the actions.
Comeback of the Year:
Callum Smith
Smith defeated Mathieu Bauderlique by knockout, getting one of the best knockouts of the year. The Briton dominated the Frenchman at all times and in the fourth round he put him against the ropes and shook him in such a way that his opponent lost strength in legs and hit the canvass.
Revelation of the Year:
Natasha Jonas
Jonas had a spectacular year filled with activity with the sole mission of becoming the undisputed super welterweight champion. She defeated Chris Namus in February, then Patricia Berghult and then Marie Eve Dicaire. Right now, she just needs one more belt to accomplish her mission.
Revelation of the Year:
Jesse Rodríguez
2022 was a great year for Jesse. Considered a top prospect with a 14-0 record, he stepped up to fight instead of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai at the last minute in his title fight against Mexican Carlos Cuadras; against all odds he took the victory via UD. He then faced Sor Rungvisai, dominating him extensively to finally knock him out in the eighth. To close the year, he faced the tough Mexican Israel “Jiga” González and defeated him via UD in what was a wonderful fight.
Female Prospect of the Year:
Angela Nolasco
On November 18, Angela made history by defeating Jacqueline Calvo against all odds. “Chiquita” never stopped attacking and despite her shorter distance she managed to got into Calvo’s guard to take a wide, clear and forceful victory over Calvo, who was one step away from competing for the absolute crown.
Prospect of the Year:
Nico Ali Walsh
The grandson of the greatest legend of our sport, Muhammad Ali, Nico made his debut in 2021 and this 2022 he showed that he is ready to write his own history as this year he had 4 fights with 4 wins, 3 of them by KO.
Event of the Year
Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano
Undisputed Lightweight Championship
Madison Square Garden
Claressa Shields vs Savanah Marshall & Alycia Baumgardner vs Mikaela Mayer
Undisputed Middleweight Championship + Unified Super Featherweight Championship
O2 Arena
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte
Complete World Championship
Wembley Stadium
