Fighter of the Year 2024: Oleksandr Usyk

The shortlist for Fighter of the Year looks a lot like 2023. But it’s not a tough call. Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine made a historic case for himself with the first unification of the heavyweight division in the four-belt era and the first in 25 years.

Then, for good measure, Usyk shut down any arguments with a more definitive victory over Tyson Fury of England in their rematch on December 22. With this victory fresh in everyone’s mind, who could argue against Usyk being named 2024 Fighter of the Year?

Usyk Makes Heavyweight History

Despite being outweighed and a betting underdog, Oleksandr Usyk handed Tyson Fury the first two losses of his career to unify the heavyweight division. Photo: Leigh Downey, Queensberry Promotions

As the year began, the 37-year-old Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) held three of the four titles after beating Anthony Joshua in 2012. He defended them in a rematch and against them last year in a ninth-round knockout win over Daniel Dubois.

Finally, it was time to collect the fourth title from WBC World Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The fight came together in March courtesy of backing from the Riyadh Season Saudi treasury, with a rematch clause in place.

Usyk was a significant underdog in the first fight with Fury. The Ukrainian is undersized for the current era of super heavyweights like the 6-foot-7 Fury, who outweighed Usyk by 40 pounds in their first fight and 55 pounds in the rematch. Doubters considered him a “blown-up cruiserweight” incapable of competing with the bigger men.

Oleksandr Usyk overcame a significant size and reach disadvantage through skills and determination. Photo: Leigh Downey, Queensberry Promotions

What critics didn’t count on is the superior skillset Usyk brings into the ring. His movement, footwork, accuracy, ability to adjust his game plan, and ring generalship are unmatched. Beyond his physical skills, Usyk has the mental strength, creativity, and motivation to let him press forward when facing a challenge. His deeply held religious faith is a powerful driver.

Despite all the apparent physical disadvantages, Usyk delivered in a challenging contest against the undefeated Fury, suffering his first loss. Usyk was behind on two scorecards after seven rounds and even on the third. He bit down and scored a shocking knockdown against Fury in the ninth round. That knockdown gave Usyk the victory by split decision, 115-112 and 114-113 for Usyk and 114-113 for Fury.

Usyk is only the third male unified, undisputed champion in the four-belt era in two divisions, along with Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue. He’s done it in the fewest fights among the three men: 15 fights at cruiserweight, 22 at heavyweight.

Oleksandr Usyk raises the undisputed belt after his victory over Tyson Fury in May. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Fans wanted to see whether Usyk’s victory was a fluke. The answer in the rematch on December 21 was a resounding no.

Despite Usyk coming in heavier and vowing to take his revenge against Usyk, the Ukrainian won ever more skillfully and with a wider margin, 116-112 on all three scorecards. While the IBF title was not in play this time in the hands of Daniel Dubois, it’s an asterisk.

Usyk has firmly declared himself the top heavyweight of his generation, which earned him a second Fighter of the Year award in the second division.

Usyk Fights For His Country

Oleksandr Usyk paid a visit to Ukrainian president Volodmyr Zelenskyy on New Year’s eve in Kyiv. Photo: Video Call/Wikimedia Commons

It’s worth noting Usyk is fighting not only for himself or his family but for an entire nation that’s been at war for several years. All his significant victories have been outside Ukraine as the ultimate road warrior.

I first met Oleksandr Usyk in 2016 in Los Angeles as he was training for an upcoming cruiserweight division fight with then-undefeated American Michael Hunter. He was still best known as the 2012 Olympic gold medalist at heavyweight.

Even then, alongside his longtime manager Egis Klimas and promoter Tom Loeffler, Usyk’s intelligence and good humor were on display, even with a minimal grasp of English. But Klimas at the time warned us not to misunderstand Usyk’s casual demeanor for a lack of drive in the ring.

Klimas said the hunger of Eastern European boxers like Usyk drives a work ethic second to none.

We met Oleksandr Usyk in 2017 in Los Angeles with promoter Tom Loeffler and manager Egis Klimas. Photo: Gayle Falkenthal

“They come in hungry. They come in here knowing what they want,” said Klimas. “Hard working, huge discipline because they have that in the amateurs. They come to this country and they know the opportunities what is waiting for them here. Hard work and having talent stands up.” Eight years later, Usyk proved Klimas right.

Upon his victory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a message to X/Twitter.

“Victory! So important and so needed by all of us right now. By defending his championship belt, Oleksandr Usyk proves: we are Ukrainians and we will not give up what is ours! No matter how hard it gets – we will overcome everything. Whether it is in the ring, on the battlefield or in the diplomatic arena – we will fight and we will not give up what is ours! Congratulations on your victory, Cossack! Congratulations on your victory, Ukraine!”

Usyk recently returned home to Ukraine and met with Zelenskyy. In an Instagram message, Usyk thanked those continuing to fight for Ukraine in a New Year’s message.

“Dear friends, Happy New Year and Merry Christmas to all. Last year we all faced battles and victories, but I am sure our greatest triumph will be ahead. For the New Year, I wish you all faith in god, in miracles, in yourselves, in your strength and faith that light will always overcome darkness. May your loved ones be close, healthy and safe in the coming year.”

READ MORE: 2024 Fight of the Year, NY Fights Best in Boxing 2024, and Women’s Awards 2024

Fighter of the Year: Honorable Mentions

Will we get a super fight between Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani in 2024? Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Usyk, Naoya Inoue of Japan, and Terence Crawford of the United States have passed the Fighter of the Year honor for the last few years.

If he’d gotten into the ring more than once, perhaps Terence “Bud” Crawford of Omaha, Nebraska, would be on this list. But he had a single fight in 2024, and it was a tentative decision win against a spirited challenge by Israil Madrimov in a new division.

Inoue is so consistent in his excellence it’s easy to take his talent for granted. Expect Inoue to get more consideration if a superfight against Junto Nakatani ever gets booked.

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez finished his 2024 with a sensational knockout win over Pedro Guevara to retain the WBC and Ring Magazine World Super-Flyweight titles. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Joining Inoue and Crawford on the shortlist this year is 24-year-old super flyweight Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez with his spectacular, star-making win over division great Juan Francisco Estrada. But there’s plenty of time for Rodriguez to land on top of the list with more challenges ahead of him.

Oscar Collazo wants to prove the smaller weight divisions offer exciting competitors with punching power. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing

Unified strawweight champion Oscar Collazo is Puerto Rico’s only current world titleholder. He scored a seventh-round knockout against previously undefeated WBA champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong, who was making his 13th defense as the longest-active titleholder in boxing. Collazo ran over Niyomtrong with three knockdowns in an impressive victory. His quest to become undisputed in 2025 will be well worth following.

Fans look forward to the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol on February 22. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Artur Beterbiev of Russia also merits a mention. He became Usyk’s unified, undisputed counterpart at light heavyweight with a hotly debated decision over his rival Dmitry Bivol. Beterbiev and Bivol are scheduled for a rematch in Riyadh on February 22.

Beterbiev can make himself the early frontrunner for Fighter of the Year in 2025 if he beats Bivol by a wider margin, but don’t count on it.

Terence Crawford’s future is hazy. Will he take on Boots Ennis or Canelo Alvarez?

Who else might emerge? Boxing is full of surprises, and we’ll look back in 12 months to see if a new name finds its way into consideration.