2020 Boxing Junkie Awards: Fight of the Year

Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a six-part series. Boxing junkie will reveal one year-end award each day through Dec. 30. Today: Fight of the Year.

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FIGHT OF THE YEAR

JOSE ZEPEDA KO 5 IVAN BARANCHYK

ZEPEDA AND BARANCHYK GAVE FANS one of those nights of which THEY often dream but rarely witness

Eight knockdowns in four-plus rounds. A brutal knockout to punctuate the mayhem. Genuine concern for a semi-conscious loser after the fact. Fans will never, ever forget what they witnessed on Oct. 3.

Jose Zepeda knocked out Ivan Baranchyk with a right-left combination in Round 5 inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas, putting him in a strong position to challenge for a 140-pound title. However, it was the drama – before and after the knockout – that had people talking afterward.

First, there was a total of eight knockdowns — at least one in each of the five rounds. Zepeda went down twice in Round 1, they both went down once in Round 2, Baranchyk hit the canvas one time in both Round 3 and Round 4 and referee Kenny Bayless rule one more knockdown when the ropes saved Baranchyk from going down.

Then came the ending.

Baranchyk was on the attack, as he was the entire fight, when the left-handed Zepeda landed a hard overhand right and followed with a short, but powerful left that knocked Baranchyk onto his back, bending his right knee in an unnatural manner in the process.

There was no need to count. The fight was over 2 minutes, 50 seconds into Round 5.

Baranchyk, perhaps rendered unconscious before his body landed on the canvas, lay still when doctors jumped into the ring. It was one of those moments when your heart is suddenly in your throat, when you’re not certain the fallen fighter will be OK.

The Belarusian’s eyes were glassy but he responded to their questions, which was a good sign. Soon they had him sitting up. And then they helped him to his feet. He walked out of the ring to finally end an emotional roller coaster and was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons.

Promoter Bob Arum, who has seen it all in more than a half century in boxing, was effusive after the fact.

“One of the best fights I’ve seen since Foreman-Lyle . Plain and simple,” he tweeted.

Fight of the Year might not do this brawl justice.

Runner up: Juan Francisco Estrada TKO 11 Carlos Cuadras

Tomorrow: Fighter of the Year