The 2022 FightPost Awards

The 2022 FightPost Awards

Another year of progress for women’s boxing is virtually assigned to history. Acceptance and more should be the story of 2022. A truly incredible year full of memories that will not easily be forgotten.

In truth, the majority of the FightPost honours listed below could have had multiple winners. Another sign of progress. Increased competition and the ever-increasing depth should see the trajectory of the sport continue its upward trend.

Fighter of the Year: Natasha Jonas

Natasha Jonas has come back from the brink, a fighter whose time looked to have passed. Very much a story of resilience and perseverance. Jonas came up short in two previous world title fights in 2020 and 2021, but she moved house, moved up and now has three world titles at super-welterweight to her name. For any fighter that should be enough, but Jonas wants more. Much more. If she achieves those ambitions, this time next year, the FightPost Fighter of the Year for 2023 will be an even easier decision.

Overseas Fighter of the Year: Claressa Shields

In October, Claressa Shields danced her way into the ring to a chorus of boos, but after getting her revenge over Savannah Marshall, she waltzed out to cheers of appreciation and acknowledgement. Shields was simply sensational, with the look of a fighter who just wouldn’t be denied. A brutal savage fight, but not a close one. A show-stealing performance from a fighter who despite her many achievements, is still criminally underrated. After her dominant win over Marshall, that should now change. It needs to.

Fight of the Year: Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano

The biggest and most hyped female fight in women’s boxing history delivered on every scale. A sold-out Madison Square Garden was the perfect setting for a fight for the ages. Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano fought for undisputed status at lightweight, but the baubles were insignificant, it was about so much more. The fight swung back and forth and the result was in serious doubt until Taylor had her arm raised after ten mesmerising rounds.

Round of the Year: Round 5: Taylor vs Serrano

A great fight needs and deserves a great round, in one fight, we had several contenders. Amanda Serrano had Katie Taylor on the verge of defeat in round 5 of their titanic struggle in New York. Taylor looked out on her feet, defeat a certainty, how she survived the round is a testament to her recuperative powers. Serrano had her chance, it came and went without reward. Taylor recovered from the Serrano blitz to edge the fight.

Feud of the Year: Alycia Baumgardner vs Mikaela Mayer

The build-up had everything. The fight left everyone wanting more. Their business is still unfinished. Alycia Baumgardner edged Mikaela Mayer in London, the crowd booed her and heavily, Mayer left the ring bemused by the decision. She had a point. Mayer wants the rematch, but Baumgardner is resisting for now, but money has a habit of talking.

Upset of the Year: Nina Hughes vs Jamie Mitchell

Nina Hughes was probably picked to fight Jamie Mitchell because she was perceived as the safe option. If so, it backfired spectacularly on the American. Hughes took her chance to take a thoroughly deserved decision in Dubai to be crowned the WBA bantamweight champion of the world. Hughes was rewarded with a Matchroom contract and a likely fight with Shannon Courtenay before thoughts turn to a possible unification fight with Ebanie Bridges.

Promoter of the Year: Ben Shalom

I am old enough to remember the resentment that Frank Warren had when dared to take on the establishment. The arrival of Ben Shalom to the boxing scene, echoes in some ways, what Warren endured in his early days. Shalom has provided some much-needed competition to the likes of Warren and Eddie Hearn, and it is the fighters who benefit from his deal with Sky, secured when Hearn took his stable of fighters over to DAZN. From a standing start, Shalom has certainly made an impression on the sport in a relatively short space of time. Shalom delivered for Jonas when she needed it the most and has a flourishing stable of female fighters including Olympians that look set to deliver world titles for Shalom in the coming years. Promoting the all-female card in October was a bold move, a gamble in many ways, but it paid off in abundance.

Achievement of the Year: Chantelle Cameron

Chantelle Cameron never seemed to get the breaks her talents deserved. But 2022 changed that narrative. Cameron went to Abu Dhabi in November and came back the undisputed light-welterweight champion of the world. Jessica McCaskill couldn’t find her rhythm. and when she did, it was too late. Cameron was excellent in the early stages of the fight and survived the late comeback of the American to take a deserved unanimous points decision. Cameron is at her peak, and the win over McCaskill shouldn’t be the pinnacle of her career.

Comeback of the Year: Linn Sandstrom

The Brazilian-born Linn Sandstrom ended 2021 with a defeat and a distinctly average looking 1-2-1 record. But the super-flyweight hopeful ends 2022, with a 7-2-1 resume after six-straight victories that have propelled her to a WBA world ranking and on the verge of a world title shot. From where she was, to where she is now, it has been a quite remarkable turnaround for the former international table tennis star.

Prospect of the Year: Caroline Dubois

Caroline Dubois is only 21, but after a whirlwind start to her professional career, the former Olympian looks set to have world titles in her future, and they may come sooner than you might imagine. Dubois could be the best prospect in the sport, regardless of gender, and after just five fights it will be extremely difficult to hold her back. In simple terms, Dubois is a potential superstar.

Fighter Most Likely to Win a World Title in 2023: Ellie Scotney

The former amateur star really has found her groove in 2022. The hook-up with Shane McGuigan has been seamless, and the unbeaten super-bantamweight prospect will get her chance on the world stage in early 2023. Scotney has a touch of class, and it would be a major surprise if Scotney doesn’t have a world title around her waist soon after.

Moment of the Year: The Boxxer All-Female Card

Boxxer and Sky deserve immense credit for delivering the all-female card in October, more so when they resisted the temptation to put the show on PPV. And as a result, it got the exposure it richly deserved. The night had future stars on display before the two headline acts that finished the night on a high. There was a different feel to the evening, free from the trouble that ruins many a night, it was just a night of pure celebration. The night when women’s boxing cemented its presence in the present and secured its future.

Breakthrough Star For 2023: Rhiannon Dixon

In a recent interview, I labelled Rhiannon Dixon Matchroom’s best-kept secret. Dixon has gone largely under the radar so far in her career, but her recent win over Kristine Shergold showed new levels to her game. Unbeaten in seven starts, the lightweight prospect will be looking to elevate her career to the next stage in 2023. Hopes are high for the Anthony Crolla-trained fighter, and if she develops as many expect, Rhiannon Dixon could very easily be the breakthrough star of 2023.

Trainer of the Year: Shane McGuigan

Shane McGuigan has a stable of stars, the wonderfully talented Adam Aziz literally has the world at his feet. But in Ellie Scotney and Caroline Dubois, McGuigan could be on the verge of adding two more world champions to his gym. McGuigan has always been well-respected in his field, and 2022 has seen that rise further. But 2023 could be something special for McGuigan and his stable of fighters.

Photo Credit: Boxxer/Matchroom Boxing