As we watch one other annum fall to the quadrennial 366-count, allow us to all greet the brand new boxing 12 months with optimism by celebrating 2024’s Struggle of the Yr of the Week of the Yr.
For those who’re a Unhealthy Left Hook common, you’re doubtless acquainted with the idea of a Struggle of the Yr of the Week, and have eagerly awaited the latest version of what we gave you in 2022 and 2023. However, should you’re a relative newcomer to the location or the game? Right here’s a fast clarification of what that is all about.
A Struggle of the Yr of the Week is one which delivers enjoyable and pleasure, minus one or two of the standard components present in an precise Struggle of the Yr contender. It raises the quantity and the blood strain of the asserting workforce, quickens the heartbeat of the viewer, however lacks a bit of one thing that might really put it in consideration for the Struggle of the Yr.
If no one bought up from a knockdown? If the motion was sizzling however the swings in momentum had been restricted? If the gap was a bit of too brief for the drama to completely blossom? If two dozen individuals had been within the constructing as a result of it occurred on the deep prelims for a mediocre foremost occasion? That’s a Struggle of the Yr of the Week. All of the in-the-moment warmth of a Struggle of the Yr, however with out all the ultimate elements to qualify for the last word honor.
And, regardless of what the identify implies, there could possibly be a number of FotYotWs in a single week, or none in any respect for months at a time. It’s an assignation of affection for the women and men who shine brilliant underneath a small highlight. The fights that give that uncommon magic, the particular transcendence that rewards a correct degenerate boxing fanatic for his or her time and a spotlight to extra than simply social media hucksters beating up the aged, or the 2-3 different main boxing showcases we get every year.
As every year concludes, we VERY SCIENTIFICALLY filter, type, and rank the best of the FotYotW choices by my reminiscence and private style, and award one with the good honor of Struggle of the Yr of the Week… of the Yr.
Fundamental occasions from main promoters are usually not eligible. Neither are undercard fights for high stage belts. Both is usually a Struggle of the Yr of the Week, however neither can win Struggle of the Yr of the Week of the Yr.
Who earns the dignity this 12 months? Learn on to seek out out!
HONORABLE MENTION: Vladimir Hernandez vs Raul Garcia
Fundamental Occasion: Lester Martinez vs Joeshon James, September eleventh
The place can I (legally) watch it proper now?: The embedded video above, or instantly by the ProBox YouTube web page right here.
Admittedly, it is a little bit of a cheat — Initially scheduled as an undercard struggle in help of Lester Martinez vs Joeshon James, this one bought a shock promotion to foremost occasion on struggle day when Martinez withdrew unexpectedly. Hernandez and Garcia delivered large in reduction, giving us a thumping warfare of attrition that noticed each males rise again up from violent knockdowns.
Be warned: The customarily questionable refereeing of Michael DeJesus would be the solely cause this struggle lasted lengthy sufficient to earn FotYotWotY consideration reasonably than ending up explosively within the third spherical. However, if there’s a silver lining to be discovered for everybody however the fighter denied an affordable try at a knockout, we did get seven extra rounds and a number of knockdowns to take pleasure in.
HONORABLE HONORABLE MENTION: ProBox gave us one other nice one with their Might eighth foremost occasion between Robbie Davies Jr and Sergey Lipinets. Not likely acceptable to contemplate right here provided that it led the present, however positively value your time to look at Davies get his nostril pulped so badly that it turned his white trunks pink.
2nd RUNNER UP: Lewis Crocker vs Conah Walker
Fundamental Occasion: Tyler Denny vs Felix Money, June twenty second
The place can I (legally) watch it proper now?: DAZN (struggle begins at about 2:39:30).
Arguably one of the best boxing match amongst this highlight assortment of fights, however that’s to not say that Crocker and Walker didn’t provide loads of fireworks of their very own. Sturdy stuff all through, with the very best coming within the last three rounds.
Walker gave us a warfare in opposition to Cyrus Pattinson in August of 2023, and one other on this one in opposition to Crocker simply 10 months later. He’s booked to struggle Harry Scarff in help on a Matchroom present on January twenty fifth… Is perhaps value making a notice in your calendar for it.
RUNNER UP: David Stevens vs Sergio Lopez
Fundamental Occasion: Oscar Collazo vs Gerardo Zapata, June seventh
The place can I (legally) watch it proper now?: The embedded video from Golden Boy’s YouTube web page above, or by DAZN (struggle begins at concerning the 47:00 mark).
Simply earlier than the bell rang, play-by-play man Beto Duran stated: “I don’t know what we’re gonna get on this one.” Lower than 30 seconds later, one man was disconnected from his senses, and one of many wildest one spherical fights of latest reminiscence was already bringing thrills. You solely get 2:15 of motion right here, so I’m reluctant to spoil any of it. Simply watch.
The commentary workforce of Beto Duran and Gabriel Rosado referred to as final 12 months’s FotYotWotY, they usually delivered large as soon as once more on the horribly overmodulated and poorly combined DAZN microphones for this 12 months’s runner up. Their work collectively doesn’t really want any extra salesmanship to earn your consideration, however maintain that monitor file in thoughts at any time when they accomplice up in 2025 anyway.
THE 2024 FIGHT OF THE YEAR OF THE WEEK OF THE YEAR: Stephen McKenna vs Joe Legal guidelines
Fundamental Occasion: Zak Chelli vs Callum Simpson, August third
The place can I (legally) watch it proper now?: The embedded video above, or through Peacock right here within the USA. Peacock’s interface for locating outdated boxing reveals is a hellish nightmare, although, so good luck with that!
We joke rather a lot about UK commentary’s frequent use of the adjective “spiteful,” however spite was oozing from the display earlier than Joe Legal guidelines took a single step of his ringwalk. Legal guidelines tore off a sombrero and luchador masks, then spent a full minute hyping or taunting the gang (possibly each concurrently?) to the backing of what appeared like Maroon 5’s “Me and My Damaged Coronary heart” as carried out by a toddler’s programmable Casio keyboard, combined with air raid sirens and Mauro Ranallo’s favourite Gladiator quote, earlier than making a single step of progress in the direction of the ring. Then, he broke out right into a dash to the backing of “Take Me Residence Nation Roads” within the vocal model of some generic UK soundalike of The Chipmunks.
In distinction, McKenna spent his complete ringwalk staring a gap by Legal guidelines whereas slow-walking his manner in to a Johnny Money music. When referee Victor Laughlin referred to as for the boys to the touch gloves, they ignored him, then they ignored him once more when he demanded “You contact them NOW!” And when a fed-up Laughlin lastly yanked their gloves collectively, the boys needed to be pulled again aside by their attendants.
The fuse for this one was brief, lit, and quick burning. Legal guidelines actually sprinted out on the bell to begin winging haymaker hooks at McKenna, and it solely took 18 seconds for the primary man to hit the canvas for the primary time. Each single punch of this struggle was thrown with murderous intent, and it’s borderline miraculous both man had the power to throw punches or the chin to remain vertical all the best way to the third and last spherical.
I don’t know what occurred to make these males hate one another sufficient that they might placed on this type of struggle… It must be one thing which may, in one other time and place, have led to the form of generational feud that discovered their great-grandchildren at odds with one another 80 years later. Simply do your self a favor and watch it as quickly as you have got 20 minutes to spare.
And, you’ll want to try the feedback part under, the place one of the best, sharpest, handsomest, and throughout most pleasant readership within the boxing world will little doubt very gently and politely share another write-in nominees they could really feel had been neglected right here.
