2024 was a bumper year for boxing, the best in what may be quite a few years. Saudi's Riyadh Season is now in full swing and they are promoting hit after hit and look to be in the mood for global impact. Crawford fought under the banner in the US and Dubois had a career defining moment at Wembley. The big show has never been bigger. The undercards have been largely world class and it's because of Riyadh season we now have yet another undisputed champion. All the while, other promoters have floundered yet fighters have still managed to find a way. Garcia made waves both as hero and villain, Inoue continued his unbeaten run and Japan found another budding star in Nakatani, whereas the heavyweight scene just continues to grow and there are rumblings surrounding the celebrity side of things. It's been an eventful year so let's strip it back to the best of boxing. Fighter of the year 2024: Oleksandr Usyk Can there be anyone else? He started the year by winning the undisputed heavyweight championship in a classic bout in which almost stopped a man 6 inches taller and 30lb heavier. Runner up: Artur Beterbiev Fight of the year 2024: Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury I There's a number of great fights out there, at least two of them in the heavyweight division which is once again boxing's crown jewel. The first fight for undisputed was a chess match and then a brawl. It's one of the best fights in the division's modern history and captivated a global audience. Runner up: Wardley vs Clarke 1 KO of the year 2024: Dubois KO AJ An easy one this. Dubois, an unfancied challenger even though he was champion, not only beat one of the premier fighters on the planet, he annihilated him and then laid him out flat. Runner up: Wardley KO Clarke Prospect of the year 2024: Moses Itauma There's nothing more spectacular than a KO artist, if it happens to be at heavyweight, it is even better. Moses is a genuine prospect, just 19, a handful of fights under his belt but he has already taken a step up and is the one tto watch in 2025. Runner up: Abdullah Mason Breakthrough star of 2024: Daniel Dubois Nakatani could have gotten this but Dubois did it on the biggest stage and is now arguably the number 2 heavyweight on the planet. Runner up: Nakatani Upset of the year 2024: Ryan Garcia UD Devin Haney Garcia acted the madman in the build up, he looked lost, maybe he was going to be out of shape? Haney was coming in as the golden boy. none of it mattered. Garcia put in a life time performance here...only to ruin it. Plonker of the year: Ryan Garcia Garcia again, from ranting and raving but getting his biggest ever win, to throwing it all away with Islamophobic and racist rants. Oh and not to mention a failed drug test which voided his aforementioned win. Disappointment of the year: Terence Crawford A P4P entrant for almost a decade or more now but he barely made a move in the year. Seemingly obsessed with cashing out against Canelo, he could have fought far better opponents than the one he did and he should have at least fought twice. If there's nothing else for him then he should retire.
