As we kick off 2019, Sporting News takes a look back at the best of 2018 and give out our combat sports awards for Fighter of the Year (MMA), Fighter of the Year (Boxing), Fight of the Year (MMA), Fight of the Year (Boxing), Knockout of the Year (MMA), Knockout of the Year (Boxing), Submission of the Year (MMA), Match of the Year (Pro Wrestling) and Wrestler of the Year (Pro Wrestling).
2018 saw plenty of fighters breakthrough into the pound for pound ranks while a few others sought to maintain their positions as elite talents in the sweet science. But there was one fighter who had a remarkable year that catapulted him into the upper echelon of the pound for pound list and is now a force to be reckoned with among the giants in the heavyweight division.
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And the winner is...
Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk leaped into 2018 with his scope fixed firmly on wiping out a number of targets to strengthen his grip on the talent-laden cruiserweight league. By the end of the year, with a further three wins attached to his bulging profile, Usyk didn’t just squeeze the life out of his chosen division, he became one of the biggest names in boxing.
A participant in the inaugural World Boxing Super Series tournament, the first half of the calendar for Usyk was under full control as he had to deter the threat of Latvia’s heavy-handed Marius Breidis in January. Usyk was pushed extremely close in the first half of this fight, but like a true champion, he found the required effort late on and did just enough to advance to the final where Murat Gassiev was waiting for him.
Talk within the boxing industry when picking a winner was split, but Usyk made a mockery of such prophecies as he dominated the Russian from the opening bell to collect a wide points decision in July. With victories over Breidis and Gassiev already establishing Usyk as one of the fighters of 2018, the bold Ukrainian travelled to Manchester, England in November, and boosted his credentials with an 8th round knockout over former world champion, Tony Bellew.
In a sport where audiences have to be patient for the best possible fights, Usyk made it his business to challenge himself and he did so on enemy territory each time. 2018 was a year that saw many boxers achieve standout wins, Usyk obtained three of them and that’s why he’s Sporting News’ Boxer of the Year.
Runner-Up: Canelo Alvarez
Outside the ring, 2018 presented Saul Alvarez with a ton of problems that could’ve easily derailed the career of many a fighter when an issue arose around a failed drug test that the Mexican icon’s team blamed on contaminated meat. After serving a punishment that rendered a bulk of the year meaningless, Alvarez returned in September to renew hostilities with Gennady Golovkin.
The highly-anticipated rematch contained all the drama from their first fight a year earlier when the bout was scored a draw to the bewilderment of many, but this time saw Alvarez making more adjustments than the Kazakh superstar. Closely fought once again, Alvarez did just enough to collect a close decision, and although wild calls of “robbery” could be heard throughout the boxing community, Alvarez was the winner of a fight that could’ve gone either way.
After securing the top spot at 160lbs, Alvarez moved north to super-middle in December to take on WBA beltholder, Rocky Fielding, and the performance was perfect. The Liverpool man arrived in New York with size and weight advantages, but his experience at the highest level could be witnessed immediately as Alvarez dropped him four times to earn a third round stoppage. Bigger challenges than Fielding await Alvarez moving forward, but he’ll do well to top his 2018 exploits thanks to him conquering long-term rival, GGG.