As the year comes to a close, here at The Sportsman we have decided to look back at a mixed bag in the world of boxing.
While there have been more than a smattering of stories that have reflected the sport in a bad light in 2022, from doping scandals to blockbuster fights failing to materialise, there has been plenty to celebrate too - none more so than the wide array of stunning knockouts we’ve witnessed over the last 12 months.
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On that note, here are our picks for five of the best.
Naoya Inoue vs Nonito Donaire II, June 7th, Saitama Arena, Saitama
‘The Monster’ Naoya Inoue continued to live up to his terrifying moniker in 2022, recording three wins inside the distance, finishing the year as the undisputed bantamweight world champion and cementing his place among the pound-for-pound elite.
There are seldom any dull conclusions to an Inoue bout and our pick for his best knockout over the last 12 months goes to his two round destruction over Nonito Donaire. Donaire, a future Hall of Famer and bonafide legend of the modern game, turned back the clock in their original 2019 Fight of the Year encounter and gained plaudits across the boxing world despite his defeat on the scorecards.
‘The Filipino Flash’ had no such luck in the rematch and was wobbled early in the second with a left hook. Sensing blood, Inoue unleashed a vicious barrage of punches that concluded with another left hook to the jaw and left a brave Donaire unable to continue.
Deontay Wilder vs Robert Helenius, October 15th, Barclays Center, Brooklyn
Ahead of his ring return in November, following a year-long lay-off since suffering consecutive stoppage defeats to Tyson Fury, there were a lot of questions asked regarding Deontay Wilder’s unrivalled punching power and whether it could be reignited.
Robert Helenius, a tried and tested if unspectacular heavyweight contender, provided an intriguing test for the hard-hitting Alabaman on his comeback but it was one he ultimately passed with flying colours.
'The Bronze Bomber' caught his former sparring partner flush in the face with a right hand, dropping 'The Nordic Nightmare' flat on his back for an instant knockout in the opening stanza.
Gervonta Davis vs Roland Romero, May 28th, Barclays Center, Brooklyn
‘Tank’ rolled over Roland Romero in May, recording the 25th knockout of his professional career.
Tensions between the Baltimore southpaw and Romero had reached boiling point in the build-up with the cock-sure latter’s motor-mouth talking a big game, even claiming that he’d stop Davis in the first round.
That supreme confidence was obliterated in the sixth round when Davis landed a peach of a straight left from the counter, sending Romero crumbling to the canvas.
Joe Cordina vs Kenichi Ogawa, June 4th, Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Joe Cordina picked up the IBF super featherweight bauble in spectacular fashion in June when he obliterated two-time champion Kenichi Ogawa in Cardiff with a one-punch KO in the second round.
The Welshman kept his distance well and when he noticed Ogawa’s chin was wide open, he unleashed an overhand right and unquestionably the punch of his career so far.
Cordina, who represented Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games, isn’t exactly renowned for his knockout power but this could be the most aesthetically pleasing stoppage on the list and only missed out on the top spot due to the magnitude of the next entry.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan, March 12th, Nottingham Arena, Nottingham
Fighting in front of thousands of partisan supporters in his hometown of Nottingham, it looked like Leigh Wood’s reign as WBA World featherweight champion could be over before it really began.
Dropped in the very first round by Michael Conlan, Wood’s first defence couldn’t have started any worse. As the fight wore on, things looked even bleaker as his Irish opponent was winning every round comfortably. Even in the back third of the fight, where ‘Leigh-thal’ finally began to get into the swing of things and knocked Conlan down in the 11th, he simply had to stop him in the final round to keep his belt.
And that’s exactly what he did. With just 1.44 left on the clock, Wood landed a right hand so powerful it sent the former Olympian through the ropes and out of the ring. Boxing… bloody hell!
