Highly unofficial yet also highly important, these are the standout Hayemaker-tinged moments of 2008. In a year heavily dominated by Hayemaker boxers - whether through their involvement in tremendous fights or scoring chilling knockouts - here are some of the best of the bunch. 

Fighter of the Year

1. David Haye

Who else? In 2008 alone Haye has unified the WBC, WBA and WBO world cruiserweight titles, destroyed a legitimate heavyweight gatekeeper and seemingly landed a shot at the world heavyweight title. Starting back in March, Haye blitzed domestic rival Enzo Maccarinelli to add the Welshman’s WBO trinket to his own collection of WBC and WBA cruiserweight belts.

Satisfied his work was complete at 200-pounds, Haye then chased the Klitschko brothers (Wladimir and Vitali) halfway across Europe in pursuit of a heavyweight title shot. Content to wait a little while, Haye disarmed Monte ‘Two Gunz’ Barrett inside five rounds in November. Vitali Klitschko was present at ringside that night at The O2. In 2009 Haye and Klitschko will meet again – this time inside the ring.

2. Ryan Rhodes 

If you had guaranteed boxing fans Ryan Rhodes would be British champion and WBC International champion by the end of 2008 they’d have likely had you sectioned. Despite boasting an abundance of talent, Ryan has completed an astonishing career U-turn this year.

It started out in April when Rhodes sparked the gutsy Gary Woolcombe in the ninth round to win back the British light-middleweight title – the same belt he’d won nearly 11 years ago. A remarkable feat. Rhodes then successfully defended the Lonsdale belt in September with a titanic battle against the incredibly brave Jamie Coyle.

Rounding off the year, Rhodes managed to snatch the WBC International crown from world-ranked South African Vincent Vuma at The O2. Title now in hand, Rhodes can look forward to a top 10 WBC ranking and a shot at the world title in 2009.

3. Martin Lindsay

Down on points and knocked down in the second round, a solitary left-hook changed Martin Lindsay’s boxing life in September. Losing a competitive British featherweight title eliminator with Derry Mathews, Lindsay uncorked an incredible hook to knock out his Hayemaker team-mate and set up an intriguing 2009 battle with featherweight champion Paul Appleby (slated for March 28 in Belfast).

The Belfast hero is now unbeaten in 13 pro bouts and enters his Belfast homecoming against champion Appleby with every chance of grabbing the Scot’s title.

4. David Barnes

Always noted as a standout talent, 2008 was the year Manchester’s David Barnes put it all together and notched two tremendous British title wins. Rejuvenated as a light-welterweight, Barnes schooled Ted Bami in March to win the coveted British 140-pound title. Winning close to a shutout decision, Barnes displayed the kind of speed and agility that first made him a feared British welterweight champion.

Not content to just win the British title, Barnes then defended the belt in July against Scottish challenger Barry Morrison. Again looking the part, Barnes held onto his title via unanimous decision after 12 rounds of skilful boxing. Having now competed in six British title fights, Barnes will enter 2009 with the sole intention of climbing the world light-welterweight rankings.

Knockout of the Year

1. Martin Lindsay KO 9 Derry Mathews

With less than two rounds to go in his British featherweight title eliminator, Belfast’s Martin Lindsay needed a knockout. Behind on points and decked in the second round, Lindsay needed a Roy of the Rovers moment to salvage his British title dream. That moment duly arrived in the ninth round when Lindsay let fly with a savage left-hook that landed flush on Derry Mathews’ jaw. The gutsy Scouser collapsed in a heap, in no position to continue. Lindsay’s prayers were answered.

2. David Haye KO 2 Enzo Maccarinelli

Dubbed a 50/50 fight going in, cruiserweight king David Haye made a mockery of such assertions as he annihilated the overmatched Maccarinelli in two rounds of brutal power punching. Dabbing at a slight cut above the eye in the second round, Haye stepped on the gas and began to find the prone chin of Maccarinelli with frightening ease and regularity. The first right hand stunned the Welshman. The second rocked him. The third sent him reeling along the platform towards Queer Street. The fourth and final stopped right outside. Enzo stepped off. Haye unified the WBC, WBA and WBO world cruiserweight titles.

3. Ryan Rhodes KO 9 Gary Woolcombe

Few tipped Rhodes to lift the belt he’d won 11 years previous. Even fewer picked him to win in such dominant and stunning fashion. The Sheffield switch-hitter’s sickening April knockout of Gary Woolcombe landed Rhodes the prestigious British light-middleweight title for the second time in an illustrious career. A sweeping overhand right caught Woolcombe high on the temple and no count was necessary. With life-long friend ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed watching on from ringside, Rhodes had plucked out a picture-perfect knockout reminiscent of Naz in his pomp.

4. Michael Maguire KO 1 Iordan Vasilev

Competing in only his second pro bout, Peterborough’s Michael Maguire pulled off the perfect left-hook to the body as he crippled Bulgarian Iordan Vasilev inside a round at The O2. Following a messy start to the November bout, Maguire stepped to the side and whipped in a devastating shot to the ribs that left Vasilev doubled over and waving goodbye to any thought of getting up off the canvas. His ribs were broken. Maguire had scored the first knockout of his promising career.