Still wondering who to vote for? Check out these brief synopses on each nominee in each category. Remember, deadline to vote is December 26 at 11:59 p.m. PST!
RETURN HERE TO VOTE: tinyurl.com/norcalawards
MALE PRO FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
For the male professional fighter who has achieved the most success in 2011
Nonito Donaire (San Leandro) – won 2 belts at 118 with brutal KO of Fernando Montiel in Feb., shut out Omar Narvaez in first defense in Oct.
Robert Guerrero (Gilroy) – won 2 interim belts at 135 with dominant decision over Mike Katsidis in Apr.
Karim Mayfield (San Francisco) – won NABO regional belt at 140 with UD over Patrick Lopez (Oct.); first man to stop Steve Forbes (Jun.)
Eloy Perez (Salinas) – regional NABO champ at 130; won 4 times in ’11 over guys a combined 83-13-1
Andre Ward (Oakland) – world champ at 168; lopsided decision over Abraham in Jun. and Carl Froch this Sat. for WBC/WBA/Ring 168 belts and Super Six title
FEMALE PRO FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
For the female professional fighter who has achieved the most success in 2011
Ana Julaton (Daly City) – successfully defended WBO 122 title 3 times (decisions over Franchesca Alcanter, Angel Gladney, Jessica Villafranca)
Ava Knight (Chico) – joined Julaton as 2nd women’s world champ (draw with Kaliesha West, KO2 of Arely Mucino for title in Nov.)
Melissa McMorrow (San Carlos) – won NY state title; went 2-1; split with Keisher McLeod and beat Eileen Olszewski
Carina Moreno (Watsonville) – went 1-1; lost WBC/WBO 108 belts to Yesica Bopp; UD over Sharon Gaines
MALE AMATEUR FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
For the male amateur fighter who has achieved the most success in 2011
Aaron Coley (Hayward) – Central Pacific Region 165 champ
Eros Correa (San Jose) – Last Chance Qualifier 108 champ; US Olympic Trials gold (first NorCal guy since Ward)
Michael Fernandez (San Francisco) – National Desert Showdown 165 champ
LaRon Mitchell (San Francisco) – US Nationals 201+ silver; US Olympic Trials silver
Ricardo Pinell (San Mateo/S.F.) – NorCal Golden Gloves 165 champ
Andy Vences (San Jose) – California 141 PAL champ; National PAL bronze
FEMALE AMATEUR FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
For the female amateur fighter who has achieved the most success in 2011
Tatiana Almaraz (Concord) – defeated Morton, took Ruelas to the limit in loss
Brenda Gutierrez (Sacramento) – Central Pacific Region 132 champ
Raquel Miller (San Francisco) – 165 gold at Desert Showdown; bronze at National PAL; only NorCal fighter in 2012 US Olympic Trials
Casey Morton (S.F./San Mateo) – Central Pacific Region 125 champ; US Nationals quarterfinalist
Shanne Ruelas (Fresno) – National PAL champ at 125; Central Pacific Region 119 champ; US Nationals quarterfinalist
Elizabeth Rodriguez (Gilroy) – Central Pacific Region 108 champ; US Nationals semifinalist
COLLEGIATE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
For the collegiate fighter who has achieved the most success in 2011
J.R. Abellon (USF) – Western regionals finalist at 141
Ramsey Ayloush (USF) – Went 9-1, 8 KOs at 160; finalist in Western regionals
Pablo Diaz (San Jose St.) – Western regionals champion at 147; natl quarterfinalist
J.C. Oviedo (Cal) – Western regionals semifinalist at 126; national quarterfinalist
Pat Welde (Santa Clara) – Western regionals finalist at 140; national semifinalist; only NorCal All-American
PRO PROSPECT OF THE YEAR
For the most accomplished pro fighter in 2011 who has not yet challenged for a regional belt (minimum five bouts)
Manuel Avila (Fairfield/Vacaville) – jr. featherweight; 5-0, 3 KOs in ’11; stopped Frank Gutierrez and SD win in last fight vs. David Reyes; now 6-0 (3 KOs)
Bruno Escalante (San Carlos) – jr. bantamweight; 4-0, 3 KOs in ’11; Now 5-0-1 (3 KOs)
Jonathan Garcia (Watsonville) – jr. welterweight; 3-0 3 KOs in ‘11; beat Frankie Martinez; now 6-0 (5 KOs)
Brandon Gonzales (Sacramento) – middleweight; 2-0, 0 KOs in ‘11. Beat 2 tough gatekeepers in Lester Gonzalez and Ossie Duran; now 15-0 (11 KOs) and closest top Top 10 rankings out of everyone on the list
Guy Robb (Sacramento) – jr. lightweight; 6-0, 2 KOs in ’11; decisioned unbeaten Pablo Armenta and knocked out Hugo Ramos; now 7-0 (3 KOs)
Alan Sanchez (Fairfield) – welterweight; 4-0, 1 KO in ’11; stopped Clint Coronel and beat Cristian Favela; now 9-2-1 (3 KOs)
ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
For the fighter most exemplary to the Northern California community in 2011
Robert Guerrero (Gilroy) – involved in several cancer awareness charities; has returned to boxing after putting career aside for family
Ana Julaton (Daly City) – involved in Filipino-American community in Bay Area
Karim Mayfield (San Francisco) – involved with at-risk youth at SFC Boxing in S.F. Tenderloin
LaRon Mitchell (San Francisco) – coaches kids at S.F. Ring of Fire and is HS football coach at Lincoln HS in S.F.
Andre Ward (Oakland) – involved with church community at the Well in Dublin
PRO FIGHT OF THE YEAR
For the most exciting, competitive professional bout in 2011 from start to finish involving at least one Northern California fighter
Guy Robb MD4 Manuel Morales (Mar. 25) – Extreme action from the opening bell to the final one, with both fighters trading heavy leather and taking each other’s best shots; standing ovation in Fairfield was almost a minute long postfight
Lamont Williams UD4 Juan Hernandez (Apr. 15) – Crazy first round where both were down and Hernandez down in the second
Kaliesha West D10 Ava Knight (Jun. 18) – Exceptional display of skill and heart; tactical but entertaining
Alan Sanchez TKO7 Clint Coronel (Jun. 24) – Blood-and-guts slugfest where Coronel’s pressure meshed with Sanchez’s matador boxing style; Coronel stopped on cuts
Manuel Avila SD4 David Reyes (Oct. 15) – Reyes down in third but both fighters having moments on inside; Avila narrowly escaped on Hopkins-Dawson undercard
Ulises Soriano MD4 Jhonnathan Zamudio (Oct. 28) – Good back and forth action where both men almost took turns unleashing their offense on the other
AMATEUR FIGHT OF THE YEAR
For the most exciting, competitive amateur fight in 2011 from start to finish involving at least one Northern California fighter
Jose Ramirez W3 Adam Fiel (Mar. 13) – Ramirez, 2-time defending natl champ, was floored by Fiel in 3rd and escaped with win in 132 Regional Golden Gloves final
Andy Vences W3 Vicente Guzman (Mar. 13) – Vences overcame onslaught by Guzman in round 2 and turned tide with hellacious combinations in 141 Reg. Golden Gloves final
Eros Correa W3 Louie Byrd (Aug. 3) – Correa avenged two previous losses to three-time defending natl champ Byrd with 25-25 barnburner that was decided by 132-131 tiebreaker
Tatiana Almaraz W4 Casey Morton (Dec. 2) – Both fighters were relentless in attack with Almaraz taking over an even fight in the fourth
Terry Fernandez W3 Vince Hernandez (Dec. 2) – Absolute war of attrition between two heavyhanded sluggers that Fernandez captured via a standing 8-count in the final round
ROUND OF THE YEAR
For the most exciting, competitive round in 2011 from the opening to final bell
Jose Ramirez vs. Adam Fiel – Rd. 3 (Mar. 13) – Ramirez down with left hook but recovered to outbox Fiel in final round
Andy Vences vs. Vicente Guzman – Rd. 2 (Mar. 13) – Guzman winning round until Vences throws 8-punch combination that scores and turns tide of fight
Guy Robb vs. Manuel Morales – Rd. 4 (Mar. 25) – final chapter of a war that saw monster power shots landed but neither fighter backing down; was followed by minute-long standing ovation from fans
Lamont Williams vs. Juan Hernandez – Rd. 1 (Apr. 15) – Both guys down in first as they traded with reckless abandon early
Alan Sanchez vs. Clint Coronel – Rd. 6 (Jun. 24) – Coronel, eyes streaming blood, continued to come forward as Sanchez played matador and tried to put counters behind his left jab
Terron Grant vs. Alonso Loeza – Rd. 4 (Sep. 16) – Good back and forth action that seesawed throughout the three minutes
PRO EVENT OF THE YEAR
For the most entertaining, well-promoted Northern California-based pro show in 2011
Golden Boy/Don Chargin’s “Perez vs. Gonzalez” (Feb. 18) – Two of boxing's brightest up and comers (Eloy Perez, Mercito Gesta) in first televised card in SF since Mayweather-Chavez
Brian Schwartz/CP Presents/37 Mgmt./454 Ent.’s “Julaton vs. Alcanter” (Feb. 25) – Beautiful venue in Craneway Pavilion and enlisted musical entertainment to add diversity to product
Golden Boy/Don Chargin’s “Perez vs. Escalante” (Mar. 25) – Upset of the Year Candidate, Fight of the Year Candidate, and 2 KO of the Yr Candidates
Uppercut Boxing’s “Martinez vs. Banks” (Apr. 22) – A couple upsets and entertaining card overall
Golden Boy/Don Chargin’s “Perez vs. Jimenez” (Sep. 2) – Historic 60th anniversary card for Chargin; Perez made statement with KO of Jimenez
AMATEUR EVENT OF THE YEAR
For the most entertaining, well-promoted Northern California-based amateur show in 2011
Mateen Boxing Club’s “S.F. Regional Golden Gloves” (Mar. 13) – 2 Amateur Fight of the Yr Candidates, emergence of LaRon Mitchell
Aleman Boxing’s “U.S. Independence Day Boxing Championships” (Jul. 2) – One of the most packed shows in the Central Valley in recent times
Boxing SF’s “Summer Amateur Championships” (Jul. 26) – Like Winter Championships, featured high-profile atmosphere
3rd St. Gym’s “Fight Night” (Sep. 9) – The most thrilling card out of the prolific total from Paul Wade this year
BabyFace/Bad Girls Boxing’s “Beautiful Brawlers” (Sep. 10) – First all-female amateur card in history
Kennel Boxing’s “Battle at the Kennel #2” (Nov. 12) – Excellent matchups in San Leandro and smart move to do it the same day as Pacquiao-Marquez III to whet fans' appetites
Boxing SF’s “Winter Amateur Championships” (Dec. 2) – Card had pro feel and several entertaining bouts as Bay Area legends past and present met in the ring and interacted with fans
VENUE OF THE YEAR
For the pro or amateur venue with the best overall atmosphere and fanbase of 2011
Craneway Pavilion (Richmond)
Longshoremen’s Hall (S.F.)
Fairfield Sports Center
King’s Gym (Oakland)
Polk St. Gym (S.F.)
Red Lion Hotel (Sacramento)
Salinas Sports Complex
KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR
For the most spectacular, stunning, and sensational pro knockout or referee stoppage of 2011 by a Northern California fighter
Joe Gumina TKO1 Jose Hurtado (Feb. 18) – Outright destruction by Gumina, who wasted no time in swinging for fences and connecting with an overhand right; more of an accumulation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEdyjIaWGQE#t=1m00
Nonito Donaire TKO2 Fernando Montiel (Feb. 19) – Beautiful left hook had Montiel swimming like fish without water; got up miraculously and was stopped on feet after http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chxmYF4m2xg#t=0m52
Manuel Avila TKO2 Frank Gutierrez (Mar. 25) – Avila shot a straight right hand that had Gutierrez dropping straight down to the canvas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpiDr_Vn2Lo#t=6m55s
Alejandro Perez TKO1 Antonio Escalante (Mar. 25) – Short right hand crushed Escalante over the top http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYB0P0ky6C0#t=3m01s
Eloy Perez KO2 Daniel Jimenez (Sep. 2) – Supposedly featherfisted Perez had Jimenez reeling into the ropes for good with a variety of shots culminating with a left hook http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxacops4mSc#t=5m55s
Ava Knight KO2 Arely Mucino (Oct. 29) – After a knockdown was ruled a slip, Knight finished the job with a peach of a left hook to end it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1D11_B7JkQ#t=6m05
PRO TRAINER OF THE YEAR
For the pro trainer based in Northern California who has accomplished the most in 2011 with his/her fighter(s) from both a strategic standpoint as well as through individual development
Ben Bautista (SFC Boxing) – Karim Mayfield (140 NABO champ), Ava Knight (112 female IBF champ)
Max Garcia (Garcia Boxing, Salinas) – Eloy Perez (130 NABO champ)
Virgil Hunter (King’s Gym, Oakland) – Andre Ward (168 WBA/WBC/Ring champ), Brandon Gonzales (160 prospect), Mike Dallas (140 prospect)
Al LaGardo (Vacaville PAL) – Manuel Avila (122 prospect)
Angelo Reyes (West-Wind, Berkeley) – Ana Julaton (WBO 122 female champ)
Ray Woods (Bloodhounds, Sacramento) – Guy Robb (130 prospect)
AMATEUR TRAINER OF THE YEAR
For the amateur trainer based in Northern California who has accomplished the most in 2011 with his/her fighter(s) from both a strategic standpoint as well as through individual development
Ben Bautista (SFC Boxing) – Aaron Coley (165 Central Pacific champ), Raquel Miller (165 Natl PAL bronze)
Eddie Croft (B Street, San Mateo) – Ricardo Pinell (NorCal Golden Gloves 165 champ), Vince Hernandez (165), Casey Morton (125 Central Pacific champ)
Jimmy Ford (Ring of Fire, S.F.) – LaRon Mitchell (US Natls silver, US Olympic Trials silver at 201+)
Blanca Gutierrez (BabyFace, Pacifica) – Raquel Miller (165 Natl PAL Bronze), several female fighters, Keynoe Fenner (165)
Candelario “Candy” Lopez (San Jose PAL) – Eros Correa (108 US Olympic Trials gold, Last Chance Qualifier champ), Andy Vences (CA PAL champ, Adidas Natl Champ, Natl PAL bronze at 132)
Karl Sharrock (Old School, Concord) – Alex Acosta (152 NorCal champ), Tatiana Almaraz (Female Fighter of the Yr candidate)
UPSET OF THE YEAR
For the most improbable and impactful win by a Northern California underdog in 2011
Alejandro Perez TKO1 Antonio Escalante (Mar. 25) – Perez came off long layoff and was opponent for former title challenger Escalante, who was blasted early
LaRon Mitchell W3 Lenroy Thompson (Jun. 22) – Thompson was #1 201+ fighter in America before losing clear decision to Mitchell at US Nationals
Terry Fernandez RSC-1 Michael Fernandez (Jul. 26) – M. Fernandez was coming off Desert Showdown title at 165 before getting KOd at BoxingSF Summer Championships
Eros Correa W3 Louie Byrd (Aug. 3) – Byrd was three-time natl champ but fell to Correa by tiebreaker after 25-25 score. (punches counted were a razor-sharp 132-131 in favor of Correa)
MANAGER/ADVISOR OF THE YEAR
For the Northern Califonia-based manager/advisor who has done the most to put his/her fighter(s) in the best position to succeed in 2011
Ben Bautista (San Francisco) – Has been on board for Karim Mayfield’s NABO title run and Ava Knight’s IBF world title after yrs of both fighters going unnoticed
Kathy Garcia (Salinas) – Has steered Eloy Perez to 4-0 record this yr and WBO title shot vs Adrien Broner next yr
Angelo Reyes (Berkeley) – Has secured worldwide media attention for Ana Julaton; went into foe’s backyard twice and won
Bob Santos (San Jose) – Handles Robert Guerrero who beat Katsidis easily; has now entered him in running for Mayweather on May 5
Ricky “Repo Ric” Steve (Fresno) – Handles several young fighters including Escalante, Robb, Mike Ruiz of Fresno, Roman Morales of San Ardo
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
For the promoter, professional or amateur, who has done the most for Northern California fans in 2011
Aleman Boxing – Held several successful amateur shows in Fresno, especially the local Silver Gloves
BabyFace/Bad Girls Boxing – historic first ever all-female amateur card in Pacifica
Boxing SF – High-profile amateur cards including Summer and Winter Boxing Championships that had pro feel and were matched and publicized well
Don Chargin/Golden Boy – First time NorCal had eight televised cards from one promoter in a year (all on TeleFutura); included his 60th anniversary show in Salinas; would’ve been seven but Guerrero-Maidana at HP Pavilion in SJ was called off
Goossen Tutor – Has promoted Andre Ward into a Super Six trophy
Uppercut Boxing – Held two entertaining shows in Sacramento area
Paul Wade/3rd St. Boxing – Held most amateur shows in SF jampacked with bouts
COMEBACK FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
For the male or female fighter, professional or amateur, who has best overcome adversity away from the ring in 2011 to achieve unexpected success
Glenn Donaire (San Leandro) – Ended 3-yr layoff by stopping Alex Sanchez for WBO Latino 112 title
Vicente Escobedo (Woodland) – Defeated both Walter Estrada and Rocky Juarez after loss to Robert Guerrero; now 130 contender
Karim Mayfield (San Francisco) – Came off 1-yr layoff to spar w Pacquiao, sign w promoter Prize Fight, be the first to stop Steve Forbes, and beat Patrick Lopez for NABO 140 title
Paul Nave (San Rafael) – came back at age 51 to fight in San Rafael; lost gutsy decision
Alejandro Perez (Salinas) – after 2 yr layoff, blasted Antonio Escalante to score ShoBox fight with Diego Magdaleno, which he lost in competitive decision
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
For the person in the sport, participant or non-participant, who most deserves recognition for their contribution to Northern California boxing
Paris Alexander – trainer at multiple gyms in S.F., former contender and regional beltholder
Joe Burke – longtime trainer at King’s Gym in Oakland; worked with several Bay Area greats over the years
Don Chargin – celebrated 60 years of promoting with card in Salinas (got start in SJ)
Dan Goossen – has promoted several NorCal fighters and held shows in NorCal; Guerrero’s former promoter and Ward’s current one
Charles King – founder of King’s Gym in Fruitvale District of Oakland; has trained several Bay Area greats and his gym has been Andre Ward’s home since day one
Paul Nave – has fought several times in Marin County including this year at age 51; former WBF welterweight champ
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