The BoxingScene team unanimously voted one winner for Fighter of the Year. And, oddly enough, it was the only category in our year-end awards that had an undisputed winner.
As 2024 closes, we’re all talking about Oleksandr Usyk: about how he’s the last man standing from this heavyweight era. He’s not necessarily the person we’d expect to talk about. But right now, this is the person who is being discussed in In terms of being the greatest cruiser ever and top 10 in history.
The Ukrainian boxer was unrivaled as a professional and in 2024 he landed two big bouts in two big fights against a single foe, Tyson Fury.
Fury enters 2024 as the unbeaten heavyweight champion. Great but relaxed and skilled British heavyweight boxer. He bid farewell to this year with two defeats hanging on his record. Both came courtesy of a man he called a “rabbit” and a “middleweight.”
Usyk made boxing one of the best times of year in May for his first fight with Fury. When he had the 6 foot 9 inch Faree shoot cannons off the ropes with his legs like uncontrollably melting butter. It made the big man count and was on the verge of being stopped. It was an amazing moment. The kind that even people watching at home might be able to get up from their sofas to get inside.
The first battle is near. Both had more successful moments. They had a spell of it, but in the end Usyk won with 114-113 and 115-112 against one scorecard that favored Fury 114-113.
Fury and Usyk were initially scheduled to fight in February, but Fury was ruled out of practice and the bout was postponed until May 18. It was an incredible bout in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia The country has hosted three of Usyk’s last four fights, including December 21, when Usyk and Fury returned to action. Although Fury later claimed victory, But all the judges agreed that Usyk deserved the win with a score of 116-112, even though They got the total score in different ways.–
Surprisingly (and this is boxing), Usyk ended the year with just three belts. While he won the undisputed world title in May. It was the first heavyweight to own it in nearly a quarter of a century. By September, the IBF had given him the belt to Daniel Dubois to defend against Anthony Joshua.
So Usyk-Fury II is for the WBA, WBC and WBO titles, but it’s more than that. It’s No. 1 in the division and appears to be No. 1 in the weight class these days. With Deontay Wilder’s stock plummeting, Usyk – having beaten Joshua and Fury twice and already beaten Daniel Dubois – has just finished his game in 2024.
And Usyk vows to keep fighting.
Those being considered for Fighter of the Year include:
Artur Beterbievwho stopped Callum Smith and narrowly won the match against Dmitry Bivol Beterbiev and Bivol will return to action in February.
Jessie “Bam” Rodriguezwho closed out 2024 by defeating Juan Francisco Estrada for the junior bantamweight championship and WBC title and defending against Pedro. Guevara succeeded.
Daniel DuBois There were two big victories. Defeated old training rivals Filip Hgovic and Anthony Joshua by stopping them both.
Naoya Inoue Reach new heights By climbing up from the floor to delve deeper into Louis. Neri in a thriller in front of a crowded Tokyo Dome Sadly for the undisputed junior featherweight champion. His fight with Sam Goodman’s December 24 fight has been postponed a month after the Australian fighter was ruled out in his last fight. Inoue still beats TJ. Doheny can do it too.
Combined cruiser title holder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Impressive wins over Arsen Goulamirian and Chris Billam-Smith
Oscar Collazo Won 3 matches and looked better each time. Meet Reyniris Gutierrez, Gerardo Zapata and Knockout CP Freshmart (Thammanoon Niyomtrong)
There were three early victories for the bantamweight title holder. Junto Nakatani Nuea Alexandro Santiago, Vincent Astrolabio and Phet CP Freshmart (Tassana Salapat)
of liverpool Nick Ball Had a huge breakout year Unfortunately tied with Ray Vargas for the WBC featherweight title, he rebounded to defeat Raymond Ford for the WBA belt by split decision. way And then had a tough night at the office in his first defense, earning a 10th round TKO against the fearless Ronny Rios.
Bakram Murtasaliyevwho had not fought at all in 2023, returned and stopped Jack Culcay in 11 rounds to capture the vacant IBF junior middleweight title, defending with a dominant third-round technical knockout. by Tim Tszyu
