2023 Women’s Boxing Awards
Above: Amanda Serrano (right) vs. Heather Hardy. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
No one would dispute that 2022 was the best year in women’s boxing history, but 2023 wasn’t too bad, either, as the best continued to fight the best and fans were kept on the edge of their seats, thanks to memorable performances throughout the year. So who stood out the most? The Ring polled its Women’s Ratings Panel to find out.
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: Amanda Serrano
Amanda Serrano began 2023 as the queen of the featherweight division and she ended it the same way. In between, the Puerto Rican star became undisputed champion in a 10-round war against Erika Cruz, successfully defended her five belts by defeating Heather Hardy in their rematch, then shook up the world of women’s boxing by going 12 three-minute rounds in her win over Danila Ramos. For the 35-year-old, it was business as usual, but in reality, 2023 was far from it, as she continued her quest to raise the bar, not just for herself, but for the sport.
FIGHT OF THE YEAR: Katie Taylor MD 10 Chantelle Cameron
The obituaries for Katie Taylor’s career were already written after her first fight with undisputed junior welterweight champ Chantelle Cameron in May, with their rematch in November expected to be the nail in the coffin. But those cynics didn’t know the heart beating in the chest of the Irish icon, and her competitive spirit wouldn’t let the first loss of her career deter her from evening the score. And that’s just what she did, turning the tables in a bout featuring high-level action for all 10 rounds. And when the majority decision was rendered, it was Taylor becoming an undisputed two-division champion.
KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR: Julissa Alejandra Guzman KO 8 Ramla Ali
The Ring’s Prospect of the Year for 2021, Ramla Ali was unbeaten and on the fast track to the top at junior featherweight. And while Mexico’s Julissa Alejandra Guzman was a legit fighter who once challenged for a world title, few expected her to defeat Ali. But that’s just what she did, dropping Ali twice en route to a stunning eighth-round knockout win in a fight the Brit was winning on two of the three judges’ scorecards.
UPSET OF THE YEAR: Julissa Alejandra Guzman KO 8 Ramla Ali
To many seeing the result of June’s bout between Guzman and Ali, the assumption was that Guzman landed a lucky shot and took away Ali’s perfect record. But this was no lucky shot; it was a legit win for the Mexican battler. The rematch five months later was just as competitive, but this time it was Ali impressively evening the score with a 10-round unanimous decision.
Video cued up at Guzman-Ali:
ROUND OF THE YEAR: Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz – Round 10
After nine rounds of fury, Amanda Serrano and Erika Cruz would have been excused for taking the 10th and final round of their featherweight title fight off. But that’s not how these ladies are built, so the 10th frame was just more of the same, Serrano and Cruz planting their feet and throwing for two minutes. Want to know what the 10th round was like? Consider that when the entire fight was over, the pair had combined to throw over 1,900 punches. ‘Nuff said.
Lauren Price (right) defeated Kirstie Bavington to become the first British female welterweight champion. (Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)
PROSPECT OF THE YEAR: Lauren Price
Lauren Price was going to be a star in professional sports. The question was, in what sport? But after excelling in kickboxing and soccer, the Wales native put her focus on boxing, and after a stellar amateur career that included an Olympic gold medal for Great Britain in 2020, she began chasing gold in the pro ranks in 2022. Now 6-0, the holder of the inaugural British female welterweight title will likely be in the title conversation in 2024, and she could be a game-changer once she gets a belt around her waist.
Miyo Yoshida is embraced by her daughter after defeating Ebanie Bridges for the IBF bantamweight title. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
TRAINER OF THE YEAR: Gloria Alvarado
Best known these days for her work with IBF/WBO strawweight titleholder Yokasta Valle, Gloria Alvarado’s resume extends far beyond that. But finally, the Californian is starting to get the respect she deserves for the work she does in the gym and in the corner on fight night. Call it the continued evolution of the sport, as “Coach G” is breaking barriers as much as the fighters are.
EVENT OF THE YEAR: Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron 1
The end result wasn’t what Katie Taylor and her loyal fanbase wanted or expected, but there is no denying that the reigning undisputed lightweight champion’s Dublin homecoming was an unforgettable night, from the walkouts until the final bell. If you didn’t have goosebumps as Taylor made her walk to the ring in the 3Arena to face Chantelle Cameron, check your pulse.
MOST INSPIRATIONAL: Miyo Yoshida
There were other choices for this award for 2023 … until December 9. That was the night short-notice challenger Miyo Yoshida upset Ebanie Bridges for the IBF bantamweight title. That was inspiring enough for fans of the 35-year-old single mother, who had lost two of her previous three bouts. But the rest of the world got invested in Yoshida’s journey as she embraced her daughter in the ring after the win, making it one of those rare feel-good moments that we all need.
Voters: Lupi Gutierrez Beagle, Christopher Benedict, Cynthia Conte, Irene Deserti, Sue Fox, Thomas Gerbasi, Mark Jones, Jeandra Lebeauf, Yuriko Miyata Nishiwaki, Diego Morilla, Yesica Palmetta, Malissa Smith
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