In retrospect of the year 2006, someone rises and someone falls. Cause and effect are an infinite cycle. Today, I pick up five fighters who have been on the rise this year as the fighter of the year candidate.

1. Manny Pacquiao

Three matches this year, winning on all occasions, two by way of knock out, fabulous year for the "Pacman". He thrashed the resilient Oscar Larrios and stopped all-time great Erik Morales twice in a devastating manner. What makes him leap to the top spot over Mayweather is his last bout against Morales in which he terminated the "Mexican assassin" in just three rounds. "Pacquiao" then becomes the hottest word not only in the Philippines but all around the world.

2. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Floyd Mayweather had been the pound for pound king since the fall of Bernard Hopkins. His wins over big name Zab Judah and even the much bigger man Carlos Baldomir, however, didn't lock him up atop the pound for pound list. The man from the Philippines concluded the year with much brilliance. For Mayweather to make a comeback and regain his throne, he would have to knock out his next opponent, the future hall of famer, Oscar De La Hoya in a dominant fashion with Pacquiao trapping in promotional disputes.

3. Joe Calzaghe

The current longest reigning champion Joe Calzaghe defeated Sakio "Scorpion" Bika this October and tied Hopkins' record of successfully defending the titles 19 times. But what makes him on the third spot of this list is his almost flawless victory over the much-anticipated undefeated IBF champion Jeff Lacy which won him world recognition and a worthy mention of fighter of the year. Should he defeat the WBC/WBA super middleweight titlist Mikkel Kessler, the world will be in his hands.

4. Wladimir Klitschko

Klitschko has been on fire this year, capturing his second world title by defeating the slick IBF champion Chris Byrd and sending the undefeated heavyweight contender Calvin Brock to kiss the floor soon afterwards. This knockout against Calvin Brock was recognized as the knockout of the year by some boxing analysts. With his supremacy in size and his crafty skills, unifying the heavyweight will be no dream.

5. Winky Wright

The so called "the best defensive boxer in boxing history", Wright has done a right job in 2006. After wrapping up the fight against Jermain Taylor with a draw which I think was wrongly decisioned, Wright returned successfully, outpointing the former Welterweight champion Ike Quartey earlier this month. He dumped his old style of fighting on the defensive basis and thrown over 1000 punches. His dominance over the highly skilled Quartey earned him the last slot on this list.

Read by Zhenyu Li,sports writer for People's Daily online

By Zhenyu Li, sports writer for PD online. The article represents the writer's views only