2019 has been a momentous year for women’s boxing. The sport’s first three Olympic champions, Nicola Adams, Claressa Shields, and Katie Taylor, have all been in action, with the latter two winning “#1 Vs #2” match-ups, becoming true Lineal World Champions in their respective divisions. Adams retired with a 5-0-1 record, after drawing her final fight in September 27th. A further two Lineal Champions, Geovana Peres, and Jessica McCaskill, have also been crowned.
Our independent ratings, which began in April 2019, have given female fight fans a reliable reference point which can be used to identify who the best contenders in each division are.
In boxing, at the tail end of a year, talk among fans and journalists alike often turns to “end of year” accolades. Some sites may recognise the “Fighter of the year” in women’s boxing, other sites do not break down the female boxing year at all.
Below we provide a more thorough assessment, with the help of knowledgeable experts who voted on who should be selected for the following: KO of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Fight of the Year, and Fighter of the Year.
KO of the Year
Amanda Serrano KO1 Voraberger. January 18th, 2019
Eva Voraberger had not been stopped in over 10 years and had been the 10 round distance with experienced opposition such as Esmeralda Moreno and Raja Amasheh. Amanda Serrano was coming off a September 2018 victory at Junior Welterweight, so there were questions as to whether, just 4 months later, she could fight at full strength when dropping down to 115lbs (Junior Featherweight), for a bout with Voraberger.
Serrano attacked with heavy handed combinations from the opening bell, and swiftly landed a sharp, thudding left hook to Voraberger’s liver, which sank her opponent to the canvas. Eva was unable to continue. 35 seconds of the first round - the fastest KO of Serrano’s career.
Honourable mention. Lorraine Villalobos KO4 Danielle Saldanha. June 15th, 2019
In the last round of a low key scheduled 4 rounder in Pico Rivera, California, 4’11” Villalobos stunned those in attendance by flattening Saldanha half way through the last round with “a clean left hook to the chin” (as per The Sweet Science). Long time boxing beat journalist, David Avila, described it as “a scary KO,” while fight scribe Yuriko Miyata stated that it was “a true one punch KO,” rarely seen in the lower weight classes.
Trainer of the year
Rick Ramos - Trainer of Jessica McCaskill
Rick Ramos, owner of Body Shot Boxing Club, in Pilsen, Chicago has had a magnificent year with Jessica McCaskill. After being thrown in at the deep end, losing to former amateur sensation, Katie Taylor, in 2017, Jessica could easily have disappeared out of the boxing spotlight. Instead, under the guidance of Ramos she moved up in weight to Junior Welterweight in 2018 and defeated the division’s leading fighter, Erica Farias. This year she outpointed Anahi Sanchez, and then, in what was a divisional “#1 Vs #2” match-up, she defeated Farias in a rematch, establishing herself as the true, Lineal World champion of the division.
Honourable mention: Jamie Moore - Trainer of Chantelle Cameron
After an acrimonious split with Cyclone promotions and the McGuigans, that resulted in Cameron not fighting for 6 months, she had her first fight under trainer Jamie Moore on April 26th, 2019. She won fights at Lightweight in May and July, and finished the year with an impressive 10 round decision over Anahi Sanchez. Cameron is one of the few fighters to be rated in our top 5 at two weight classes. Her well rounded performance against Sanchez demonstrated the improvements she has made with Moore, and has put her in the picture for potential big fights with the likes of McCaskill and Taylor in 2020.
Fight of the year
Katie Taylor MD10 Delfine Persoon
The Irish super star with the glittering amateur pedigree versus the hardened Belgian policewoman. Taylor Vs Persoon, held at New York’s Madison Square Garden, appeared to be a intriguing clash of styles both in and outside of the ring. The fight did not disappoint.
Taylor’s flashy combinations and smart footwork brought her much success, but Delfine was relentless, persistently pressurising Katie until she connected with her own punches. The pace was intense from start to finish. By the 10th round Taylor had crept ahead on the official scorecards, but it was Persoon who closed matters dramatically, landing several eye catching right hands in the final minute of the fight. Taylor refused to wilt under the Belgian’s attacks. The judges had Taylor winning via a tight majority decision. Those accustomed to Taylor relatively comfortably winning all of her previous fights may have been surprised at the competitiveness of this bout. Delfine was no ordinary opponent though, she was Katie’s leading rival at 135lbs, and as such, Taylor’s hard earned victory meant she became the new Lineal Lightweight World Champion.
Honourable mention. Seniesa Estrada TD9 Marlen Esparza. November 2nd.
Bad blood between the two meant the build up to this fight was fiery. Both women demonstrated high level skills, and sharp, accurate punching throughout the bout. A clash of heads in round 5 caused a horrific gash to Esparza’s forehead, which ultimately led to the doctor stopping the contest at the end of round 9. The scorecards seemed a little too wide, but Estrada was a deserved winner.
Fighter of the year
Katie Taylor
In March Katie became the first person to beat top 5 rated Junior Welterweight, Rose Volante, stopping her in the 9th round. Just 2 and a half months later she battled and outpointed the formidable Delfine Persoon in New York at 135lbs and ended the year by defeating Christina Linardatou in Manchester, England, in November.
Three wins across two weight classes, one of which was a stoppage, and one of which was for divisional supremacy.
By any measuring stick, the Irish ace had a fantastic year, and is fully worthy of the Fighter Of The Year accolade.
Honourable mention. Claressa Shields
Claressa’s one sided trouncing of longtime Middleweight number 1, Christina Hammer, elevated her to the top of our P4P list. She soon scheduled a fight at 154lbs with the intention of enticing highly respected Welterweight, Cecilia Braekhus into a super fight. Shields’ plans were scuppered when her fight with Ivana Habazin was postponed, due to events outside of her control. With an impressive victory over Ivana, Claressa may well have won FOTY. Nevertheless, her desire to carve out a lasting boxing legacy is refreshing.
(Journalists who voted: Yuriko Miyata, David Avila, Jake Chaney, Suzy Smith, Daniel Yanofsky, Julian Haramboure, Ireneusz Fryszkowski)
Serrano knocks out Voraberger in 35 seconds