Strike up the band - we're here! It's time to announce the number one ranking on this year's Completely Left Of Center Top Ten List. I'll be honest, this wasn't an easy choice. The number 2 and number 3 fighters this year, Vasyl Lomachenko and Terence Crawford respectively, had an argument to make as to why they could be named the year's best. Still, the fighter who ultimately took the top spot shook the sport of boxing with his talent, his wide ranging appeal, and his achievements.
And so, with no further verbosity, your #1 pound for pound boxer of 2017...Mr. Anthony Joshua.
Yes, Joshua earned his ranking on this spot because he stands poised to become the first truly engaging heavyweight champion since the Holyfield-Tyson-Lewis era. Make no mistake about it, Wladimir Klitschko was a great champion. For whatever reason, though, he was never able to thrill. Frankly, I think this may have had more to do with Klitschko's available competition than his skill set, which is a shame. No matter, the statuesque Joshua is a knockout machine who arguably puts more butts in seats than most NFL teams. What's more, he's existing in an interesting era, where the competition might well be impressive.
For not only did Joshua best a truly impressive Klitschko last spring, he now has names like Parker, Wilder, and even Fury to contend with. That sort of list makes for a colorful resume. Will Joshua be able to take out, or at least best, all competitors? That remains to be seen. What's obvious, though, is that Joshua is leading a revival of the long dormant heavyweight division. I mean, the man's helping make the big guys exciting again.
If that's not enough to earn the top spot on this list, I don't know what is.
Hope you enjoyed the list. Feel free to let me know what you think of any of my choices.
Now, onto 2018!
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