BOXING: A Champs Corner: A look back at 2000

By Ron Champ Miller

Hello fight fans. As the year winds down, it is time to look back.......Lennox Lewis is my fighter of the year....why?

Lennox Lewis, in defeating challengers, Michael Grant, and David Tua, has now fought all comers. The "heir apparent's" to the heavyweight crown, were humbled. Mike Tyson, does not count. As I have said in the past, Tyson wanted no part of Lewis before, and he wants no part of him now. Do you really believe that Tyson could have easily defeated David Tua, like Lewis did? If you do, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I would like to sell to you. Lewis is getting better, with age, while Tyson is just getting older....Tyson, I guess, has a "puncher's chance" (Meaning no chance.) But he won't. The fight I predict will probably not happen.

As far as other opponents for Lewis, I don't see Kirk Johnson, or the Klits defeating Lewis. I say he knocks all 3 out, in the same night. Larry Donald is shot, and Evander Holyman is too old. I guess Ike Ibeabuchi, could be an opponent, but I don't expect to see him for a while.

Tito Trinidad had a great year, but fighting only a "green" Vargas, and a "greener" Reid, does not count.

Vargas only beat an old, shopworn, inactive fighter like Ike Quartey.

Roy Jones Jr, defeated no one......

Shane Mosely, while defeating a "overhyped, underdelivering" Oscar De la hoya, beat no one else....

De la hoya beat no one.......

While the above fighters, can claim to be "fighter of the year," I think Lewis gets the nod....He keeps defeating everyone and gets better with age......However, he has yet to get the respect, he richly deserves. Only when his career is over, will we appreciate what kind of champion he was.

Fight of the year??? I would go with Tito-Vargas, slightly over DLH-Mosely......either way, great action, in both fights.....

Next week, I will look forward to next year......

Well, that's it....keep your hands up, and keep punching for the stars.......and Happy Holidays to you and yours.....

Article courtesy of eWrestling.com