Fighters of 2011

That time of year to recap on 2011, plenty of good fights and those will come later in the week, but who have been my top five fighters of 2011? These are in no particular order.


1. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez

Saunders is a fighter to watch

Yes he had an easy world title fight against light punching welterweight Matthew Hatton, but has gone on to stop quality challengers Ryan Rhodes, Alfonso Gomez and Kermit Cintron. What I've really liked about this guy is he's been very active and expect his ever increasing stock to rise further in 2012.


2. Anthony Crolla


I'm a big fan of the current British lightweight champion, who has come on in leaps and bounds under Joe Gallagher. Won the title with a dominant performance over John Watson, finishing with a wonderful shot, and recently made a successful first defence, again on away territory against Willie Limond, who he outboxed easily over 12. The rumour mill suggests a big fight with Ricky Burns in March beckons for "Million Dollar".


3. Kell Brook

A huge all British world title fight with Burns awaits Crolla

Another fighter who's remained active and just this past weekend made his US debut on the Ward v Froch undercard. Very mature fighter and definitely needs to be stepped up to world level having beaten former world title challengers Lovemore N'Dou and Rafal Jackiewicz this year, he's the only guy to have stopped the very tough Pole.


4. Billy Joe Saunders


Big fan of this guy, he's such a fantastic fighter in my opinion and has come on well in the last few months of the year, picking up his first title, which was the Southern Area belt in his first full 10 rounder against Gary Boulden. Is in the right camp with Jimmy and Mark Tibbs, and needs some title fights in early 2012 to move on.


5. Andre Ward


Hard not to put this guy in after his very easy win over Carl Froch at the weekend. Froch never gives anyone a comfortable fight, but Ward was quite simply better than him in all areas. He made the very straining Super 6 look like a cake walk and some mega fights will be lined up in 2012.