There are five world champions selected for the title of “Fighter of the Year 2024”.
Leading the way is WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF, and IBO heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk, 23-0 with 14 stoppages, from Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine.
Usyk defeated WBC heavyweight world champion “The Gypsy King” Tyson Fury, 34-2-1 with 24 stoppages, of Morecambe, UK, twice. In June, Usyk unified and defeated WBC champion “The Gypsy King” Tyson Fury by split decision. In a rematch in December, he won a unanimous decision over Fury.
WBC, WBO, IBF, WBA, and IBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, 21-0 with 20 stoppages in Khasavyurt, Russia, unified the title in October. He defeated previously undefeated WBA and IBO champion Dmitry Bivol, 23-1, with 12 stoppages in Tokmak, KYRG, by disputed decision. In January, he stopped Callum “Mondo” Smith, 29-1, in Liverpool, UK.
WBA and WBO lightweight world champion Gilberto “Zordo” Ramirez, 47-1 with 30 stoppages, is from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico. He won the WBA title by defeating previously unbeaten Arsene “Ferrouz” Goulmiryan 27-0 in Yerevan, Armenia, in March. In November, he defeated WBO champion Chris “The Gentleman” Billam-Smith, 20-1, of Bournemouth, UK.
WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 62-2-2, with 39 stoppages, from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. In May, he defeated previously undefeated Jaime Munguia, 43-1, of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. In September, he defeated previously undefeated Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga 22-1 with 17 stoppages in New York.
IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super bantamweight champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue, 28-0 with 25 stoppages in Yokohama, Japan. In June, he stopped Luis Neary, 35-2, with 27 stoppages, of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. In September, he stopped TJ Doheny, 26-4, of Portlaoise, Ireland, and Bondi Junction, New South Wales, Australia.
There you have it, five nominees for the 2024 Fighter of the Year award. Usyk and Beterbiev top the list. Ramirez, Alvarez and Eno follow.
