WORLD FEMALE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR 2020
5. Claressa Shields
Shields hinted at the end of the year that she might be done with boxing. That would be a shame, particularly with Savannah Marshall looming. While defeating Ivana Habazin, “T-Rex” oozed quality as she won world belts in her third weight class, picking up the vacant WBC and WBO super-welterweight titles via a lopsided and unanimous 10-round decision.
4. Mikaela Mayer
Maker was due to be one of the first leading fighters to compete after the worldwide lockdown but a positive Covid test ruled her out in June. Subsequent 10-round points wins over Helen Joseph and Ewa Brodnicka (to win the WBO super-featherweight championship) highlighted the 2016 Olympian’s class.
3. Terri Harper
A breakout year for the inspirational Harper. She claimed the WBC super-featherweight title with a dominant win over the solid Eva Wahlstrom in February and was favoured to beat Natasha Jonas in her first defence. Perhaps fortunate to get the draw in that one, though it was unquestionably close, she bounced back magnificently to halt Katharina Thanderz in nine rounds.
2. Jessica McCaskill
In one of the biggest shocks of the year, in both male and female boxing, McCaskill ended the long and decorated unbeaten run of Cecilia Braekhus to capture the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO welterweight titles. McCaskill had previously been juggling a day job with being a fighter but this victory could set up a lucrative rematch with Katie Taylor in 2021.
1. Katie Taylor
The supreme Taylor came through another gruelling 10-rounder with the dogged Delfine Persoon, in an August rematch she didn’t have to take, before dominating Miriam Gutierrez in a bout that attracted 2m viewers.
BRITISH FEMALE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR 2020
- Terri Harper
- Savannah Marshall
- Chantelle Cameron
- Natasha Jonas
- Rachel Ball
