Patrick McKendry: Who is NZ's greatest fighter?

Bob Fitzsimmons, Israel Adesanya, Mark Hunt and Joseph Parker. Photos / NZ Herald archive, Photosport, Getty Images

As we say goodbye to 2020 and welcome in 2021, it's a good time to catch up on the very best of the Herald columnists we enjoyed reading over the last 12 months. From politics to sport, from business to entertainment and lifestyle, these are the voices and views our audience loved the most. Today it's the top three from Patrick McKendry.

Tua, Parker, Fitzsimmons, Adesanya - who is the best?

Israel Adesanya has a perfect 20-0 record (15 knockouts) in the UFC. He now has 100 combat victories. He is the undisputed world middleweight champion and such is the way he dismantled Paulo Costa, he is looking at moving up to light heavyweight for a new challenge.

He's undoubtedly the brightest star in the UFC.

But next to others like David Tua, Bob Fitzsimmons and Joseph Parker, how does he compare?

McKendry questions if Izzy is the best we've had.

Israel Adesanya has a 20-0 record after embarrassing Paulo Costa. Photo / Getty Images

The most special sporting event I have covered

As there has been no sport of any sort in New Zealand for six weeks this seems as good a time as any to reflect on my favourite events – and I have been lucky enough to attend a few exciting ones in a professional capacity.

From Rugby World Cups to Joseph Parker fights, Patrick McKendry took a walk down memory lane while all sport was suspended back in May.

All Blacks v Samoa at Apia Park. Photo / Photosport

One year after RWC exit: Is this All Blacks team better?

In October a significant milestone was acknowledged and celebrated in England and not surprisingly ignored in New Zealand.

It was one year since Eddie Jones' men beat the All Blacks 19-7 in the Rugby World Cup semifinal in Yokohama.

The underdog's victory over the defending champions wasn't necessarily a surprise – under Jones, they have become a formidably organised and muscular outfit – but the manner of it was. This wasn't a smash and grab upset but a sustained burglary whereby the temporary owners of the William Webb Ellis trophy looked on and were powerless to act as the marauding men in white grabbed everything they wanted.

As we look back on that night in Yokohama a year ago, McKendry asks: Is this current All Blacks team better than the one which crashed out to England?

Sevu Reece after the All Blacks' loss to England. Photo / Photosport