WBC featherweight titleholder Sanchez had won four bouts in ’81, defeating Wilfredo Gomez (KO 8), Pat Cowdell (W 15), Robert Castanon (KO 10) and Nicky Perez (W 10). World welterweight champion Leonard had tallied three knockouts: Thomas Hearns (KO 14), Ayub Kalule (KO 9), and Larry Bonds (KO 10).

Other awards included Fight of the Year (Leonard-Hearns), Round of the Year (William “Caveman” Lee-John LoCicero, fifth round), and Upset of he Year (Roger Stafford W 10 Pipino Cuevas).

“The Night Benitez Wrote ‘No Mas’ To Duran’s Career” is Bert Sugar’s take on Wilfred Benitez’ 15-round decision over Roberto Duran to retain the WBC super welterweight title in what was Duran’s third fight since his disgraceful capitulation to Leonard in their November 1980 rematch.

“As the rounds began to fly by like signs on the freeway leading out of Vegas and the sands in Duran’s hourglass began to wind down to a precious few, he tried mightily to stage a late rally, bullying Benitez into the ropes,” wrote Sugar. “But especially in the 15th, Benitez used the opportunity to put on a masterful exhibition of counterpunching, choreographing his moves to stay out of Duran’s – and harm’ – way.”

“Boxing’s Powers-That-Be” by Mike Marley divides boxing people into two groups, the “in basket” and the “out basket.” Although most of those in the out basket stayed there (Harold Rossfield Smith, the criminal mastermind behind the MAPS scandal, for example), it’s fun to note how some of those residing in the in basket later fell from grace, including then-New Jersey commissioner Bob Lee, who ended up in prison as a result of his illegal activities as president of the IBF.

“Dwight Braxton And ESPN: TV Boxing’s Version Of The Dating Game” by Nigel Collins traces both Braxton’s journey from the penitentiary to the WBC light heavyweight title and the emergence of ESPN as a powerful boxing entity.

“Braxton’s rise to the title in just 18 professional fights is a tribute not just to him, but to ESPN’s boxing program,” wrote Collins. “Dwight used his ESPN belt – the first boxing championship created exclusively by, and for, television – as a springboard to other belts – most notably THE RING/VO Championship belt. But just as importantly, his triumph lent credibility to their ‘TV title.'”

Braxton would change his name to Dwight Muhammad Qawi shortly after the article was published.

“Last Round: Red Smith” is Dave Anderson’s tribute to the recently departed Smith, dean of American sportswriters: “Red Smith was, quite simply, the best sportswriter. With the emphasis on writer. If he had chosen to write novels or plays, he would have been a great writer too. But he preferred to write about sports – better than anyone else ever has. Of all those who have written sports for a living, nobody else had his command of the language, the turn of a phrase, the subtlety of the skewer as he did. And nobody enjoyed it more.”