The Best of WBC 2024
From electrifying knockouts and historic comebacks to unforgettable performances worldwide. 2024 was a testament to the sport’s enduring power.
The year was filled with great moments, historic events in arenas around the world, outstanding performances, extraordinary knockouts, brilliant fights, and historic comebacks. We salute the courage, dedication, and skill of ALL extraordinary warriors of the ring!
We also take this opportunity to recognize all the fighters in the world; you are true heroes and heroines. All of us who are part of the World Boxing Council are deeply proud of all of you.
With respect and admiration, we present the winners for the Best of 2024
WBC Fighter of the Year: Oleksandr Usyk
On May 18th, 2024, Oleksandr Usyk achieved a historic feat by becoming the undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion after defeating Tyson Fury in an epic fight.
Usyk successfully defended his WBC Heavyweight belt last December, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the heavyweight division.
Usyk has consistently demonstrated his exceptional skills outside of Ukraine, showcasing his global impact on the sport.
These achievements solidify Usyk’s legacy as one of the greatest boxers of his generation.
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WBC Fighter of the Year: Skye Nicolson
During 2024 Skye defeated top contenders Sarah Mahfoud, Dayana Vargas, and Raven Chapman with convincing margins, showcasing her skills and dominance in the ring.
Nicolson made history by participating in the first women’s world title fight in Saudi Arabia, a significant step for women’s boxing.
Nicolson’s ambition to inspire young girls and women to pursue their dreams in sports is a powerful message resonated beyond the boxing ring.
This combination of sporting excellence, historical significance, and inspiring message makes Skye Nicolson a deserving recipient of the WBC Fighter of the Year award.
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Fight of the Year: Taylor vs Serrano II
In a historic night that captivated a global audience, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano delivered a classic boxing match that will be etched in the annals of the sport.
Both fighters poured their hearts and souls into the contest, unleashing a torrent of punches in an intense and explosive battle. The ferocity of their exchanges kept the audience on the edge of their seats, erupting in cheers as they witnessed a true war of attrition.
The fight was a thrilling back-and-forth affair, with both boxers landing powerful blows and absorbing punishment in return.
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Fight of the Year: Usyk vs Fury I
Usyk defeated Fury by split decision in a dramatic battle to capture the undisputed championship at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of #RiyadhSeason.
With the victory Usyk became only the second former undisputed cruiserweight champion following Evander Holyfield, to repeat the deed at heavyweight.
Fury succeeded in the early rounds landing Usyk with savage right hands to the body and powerful uppercuts. Usyk, stuck to the plan and stunned Fury with an overhand left in round nine that sent him reeling into the ropes. Fury somehow recovered, but the tide had turned.
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KO of the Year: Naoya Inoue vs Luis Nery
Inoue, retained his WBC world title by knocking out Luis Nery in the sixth round at the iconic Tokyo Dome.
In the first round, the Mexican knocked down Inoue with a powerful left to the chin. Inoue came out in the second round more prudently cautious. Then in a counterattack to a surge from Nery, Inoue connected with power flurry and sent him to the canvas.
Nery was looking to land his power punches, but the Champion showed great defiance in defense and excellent waist movement, precisely counterpunching with effective, lightning-fast combos to finally stop Nery in the 6th.
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KO of the Year: Fundora vs Alaniz
Undefeated Coachella fighter Gabriela Fundora faced the formidable, unified champion from Argentina, Gabriela Alaniz, in what was a war for flyweight supremacy.
The fight started with alternating dominance, in the first round Gabriela tried to use her greater range to control the action but Alaniz did not let her by getting within the short distance to land the best blows. In the second, Gabriela was more mobile and landed powerful blows that made the Argentine fighter retreat. In the third round, Alaniz came out with a lot of vigor, getting into through.
From the fifth round onwards, the tide began to noticeably turn in favor of the Coachella fighter. Then in the seventh round, Gabriela sent Alaniz to the canvas. She bravely managed to get up; however, Fundora landed her with powerful punches that put her back on the canvas.
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Performance of the Year: Rodríguez vs Estrada
Jesse “Bam” Rodríguez managed to defeat the third of the four best super flyweights of this Golden Era. In 2022 he defeated Carlos Cuadras, then Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and this 2024… Francisco “Gallo” Estrada.
Rodriguez used speed, alternating combinations and an aggressive offensive to control Estrada.Estrada fell to the canvas in the fourth as a result of a left upper. In the sixth round, Gallo retaliated with a powerful right hand to fell Bam. The first time this happened in Jesse’s career.
Motivated after suffering that knock down, Jesse landed Estrada during the seventh with a powerful left hook to the liver from which he could not recover in time. This was the first defeat by KO for “Gallo” Estrada.
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Performance of the Year: Shields vs Lepage-Joanisse
Claressa Shields made history by being crowned WBC heavyweight champion after knocking out former champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, early in the second round, at the Little Caesar Arena in Michigan.
Shields finished the first round with a series of power combinations, she clearly dominated the second round from the beginning, sending her rival to the canvas three times to force the referee to stop the fight at 1:09.
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Revelation of the Year: Caroline Dubois
In 2024, Caroline Dubois won the WBC title against Maira Moneo on August 3rd. via an outstanding performance. She is scheduled to defend her title against Jessica Camara on January 11, 2025.
Caroline Dubois is widely considered to be one of the best boxers in the world today. She possesses immense talent, power, and a strong amateur background.
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Revelation of the Year: Agit Kabayel
Agit Kabayel, a force in the heavyweight division, boasts an undefeated record (25-0, 17 KOs) and reigns as the WBC’s #2 contender. The multiple-time European champion has amassed a resume of elite victories, including triumphs over Derek Chisora and Arslanbek Makhmudov. His impressive defeat of Frank Sanchez on 2024 sent shockwaves through the division, elevating him to a top contender. Kabayel is set to clash with Zhilei Zhang this February.
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Comeback of the Year: Sebastian Fundora
Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora sprung the surprise of the year with an astonishing performance, defeating Tim Tszyu via split decision, in a bloody ring war, to win the vacant WBC Super Welterweight Title.
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Dramatic Fight of The Year – Vergil Ortiz Jr vs. Serhii Bohachuk
Vergil Ortiz Jr. got up from and overcame two knockdowns, to defeat interim 154-pound champion Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs) in a fight fire with fire incandescent confrontation.
Bohachuk dropped Vergil in the first and eighth rounds. The give and take war of the ring, was unremittingly intense and utterly thrilling, with both fighters unleashing bombs, both fighting for dominance, where no blow was left unanswered.
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Event of the Year: 5vs 5
As part of #RiyadhSeason the renowned British promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren presnted a historic card called 5 vs 5, where the best exponents of Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions collided.
The fights that took place were:
Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang
Filip Hrgovic vs Daniel Dubois
Ray Ford vs Nick Ball
Willy Hutchinson vs Craig Richards vs
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Ammo Williams
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Trainer of The Year: Yuri Tkachenko
Yuriy Tkachenko has undeniably played a crucial role in Oleksandr Usyk’s incredible success. Usyk’s unique boxing style, a blend of technical brilliance and athleticism, reflects Tkachenko’s boxing expertise.
Usyk’s achievements speak for themselves. He’s an Olympic gold medalist, undisputed cruiserweight champion, and now the undisputed heavyweight champion.
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