Errol Spence

Roberto Marroquin (l) and Paul Reyes Sr.

Jose Hernandez

Manuel Rojas

Roberto Marroquin for the second time in three years was at the top of the heap when our pound-for -pound votes were tallied. But, this was the year of Errol Spence. Even though he was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the AIBA world championships, these championships are where Spence qualified for the 2012 London Olympics.

We’ve never designated an amateur as “Fighter of the Year” so there was discourse if this was the acceptable thing to do. Still, the manner in which De Soto’s Spence dominated his weight class to punch his ticket for London is an occurrence too good not to recognize. Hopefully, after London, we have this dilemma again.

Another familiar name to our list of bests is Fort Worth native Jose Hernandez. It is implausible that at just 24 years of age, he is even considered to be making a comeback, but that is the case. He is not to blame; unfortunately, previous management lacked the expertise, knowledge, and connections to guide him properly. Maybe now Hernandez can reach his full potential.

A new and exciting addition to the North Texas boxing scene is Dallas’ Manuel Rojas (3-0-0). In his last two fights, he pitched shutouts. Rojas is just 18 and as cliché as it may sound, his ring generalship is impressive. We look forward to what 2012 has in store for young Mr. Rojas.

In previous years, we named Fight & Round of the Year and even toyed with naming a Venue of the Year but with the mega-fight Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hosted at his stadium, it seemed a bit unfair to wade into those waters this year. Though for sheer take your breath away night of boxing, Paulie Ayala Productions’ “Battle of DFW” show April 30th is one we will be talking about for years to come.

Congrats to Messieurs Spence, Marroquin, Rojas, & Hernandez, we lift our glasses to you.

NTB 2011 Fighter of the Year: Errol Spence
NTB 2011 New Comer of the Year: Manuel Rojas
NTB 2011 Comeback Fighter of the Year: Jose Hernandez

NTB 2011 Top Ten Pound for Pound
1. Roberto Marroquin, Super Bantamweight, Dallas (21-1, 14 KO's) - Came out on the wrong end of a split decision loss, but still finished the year 4-1, with 1 KO. Seems to have found a home at WinStar Casino, up I-35 in Thackerville, Oklahoma, where he appears on Fox Sports Southwest regularly. The sky's the limit for this talented boxer / puncher.

2. Charles Hatley, Welterweight, Dallas (16-0-1, 12 KO's) - Remained undefeated, going 2-0-1, with 1 KO, in what can best be classified as a "turbulent" 2011. In the process, fought in an ESPN2 "Friday Night Fights" co-main event. Appears to have re-committed himself to the sport of boxing and is looking to make a huge splash in 2012.

3. Hector Vazquez, Light Middleweight, Dallas (7-1, 2 KO's) - Won a VERY important battle with the ultra-tough Julio Cesar Rangel. At only 21 years of age, Vazquez's potential is scary! (2-0-0 in 2011).

4. Miguel Buendia, Super Featherweight, Fort Worth (7-1, 4 KO's) - Has been on a ridiculous roll since losing his pro debut in '09. Beat NTB's "2010 Prospect of the Year", Fernando Rodriguez, in April and knocked out his next two opponents. 2011 is the year that Buendia elevated himself to one of DFW's elite. (3-0-0, 2 KO’s in 2011).

5. Jose Hernandez, Lightweight, Fort Worth (11-5-1, 5 KO's) - NTB's original pound for pounder inserted himself back into the mix in 2011. Put the first blemish on the record of the highly touted Mickey Bey and beat the rugged Justo Vallecillo like he stole something. "El Loco" is back! His 2011 record of 1-1-1 with his one win coming by KO, on the outside does not look that impressive. But oh, how he looked impressive in that win in October.

6. Ray Ximenez, Jr., Bantamweight, Dallas (5-0, 1 KO) - Dallas PAL's own will be just shy of his 19th birthday by the time of this writing, but he's already established himself as one the Metroplex’s can't miss pugilists. Dominated as an amateur and has done likewise as a pro, going 4-0, 1 KO in 2011. We cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store for Ray.

7. Greg Hatley, Jr., Heavyweight, Dallas (5-1, 5 KO's) - "The Technician" came into his own in 2011, going 3-0, all by KO.

Tie - 8. James Freeman, Middleweight, Vernon (9-4, 7 KO's) - One of the few bona fide ticket sellers in North Texas, "Boogie" Freeman can always be counted on to pack houses and provide entertaining fights. Went 2-2 in 2011, but his appeal or his skill has not been the least bit diluted.

Tie - 8. Kendrick Releford, Heavyweight, Fort Worth (22-15-2, 10 KO's), who was stopped by heavyweight badass, Chris Arreola, in his lone outing of 2011.

9. Luis Yanez, Super Flyweight, Duncanville (4-0-1) - The "Latin Legend" should be ranked much higher than this, but inactivity is his biggest foe. Simply put, Yanez HAS to be busier in 2012.

Receiving consideration, but missing the cut, in no particular order are:
Angel Sigala, Middleweight, (6-2-0 2 KO’s & 2-0-0 with 1 KO in 2011) - Sigala has quietly been improving his record and moving up the local ranks. We wish all of these lesser-known fighters were busier. But with a few key wins in 2012…

Julio Cesar Rangel, Light Middleweight, (8-5, 5 KO's) lost an important turf-war to Hector Vazquez, but still was 2-1-0 with 1 KO in 2011.

Sammy Sanchez, Featherweight, (5-3-1 1 KO) Sanchez fought three times in 2011 winning once by KO. Always an opponent, still he has a winning record.

Last but by no means least, Larry Smith, Welterweight, (10-8-0, 7 KO’s) - No North Texas fighter was busier in 2011 as "Slomoshun". He began the year with an action packed bout against Gilbert Vera on the previously mentioned PAP Battle of DFW show in April that could have easily been Fight of the Year. He lost to Vera by a split, but we all left with a deeper admiration of Larry as a fighter. He then kept a fast pace, fighting six more times, winning just once. The "Moshun Man" fought anybody and everybody, often on a moment’s notice. If we were making excuses, we might point out that the combined record of the six that beat him were 67-8-4 and three of them were and are undefeated. But "Slomo" took the fights and he has to live with the results. Nevertheless, we would love to sit down with Larry and have him explain his rational.

Also be on the lookout for Jose Orozco (4-0, 2 KO's), who made his return to the ring after an absence of nearly 2 1/2 years and "The Dallas Kidd" Jesse Lara (16-2-1, 10 KO's), who is scheduled to make his long awaited comeback on January 7th, 2012, on a Black Gloves promotion.

To all of the above we leave you with the immortal words of Teddy Roosevelt, delivered in 1910. They still hold true today. Thank you and congratulations to each of you from North Texas Boxing.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”