Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk is best boxer of 2024 – ESPN
Pravda Ukraine
WBC, WBO, WBA and IBO world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) has been named the best boxer of 2024 by the sports channel ESPN.
Source: ESPN’s official website
Quote: “Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years when he handed Tyson Fury the first loss of his career in May. The Ukrainian did the job in fashion, too: he landed 14 unanswered punches in Round 9 and was on the verge of a stoppage victory scoring a knockdown.
In the December rematch, the Olympic gold medalist left no doubt with an even clearer unanimous decision victory over Fury, who outweighed Usyk by nearly 60 pounds.”
Details: This nomination is not the only one where the Ukrainian champion won. ESPN recognised Usyk’s first fight against former world champion Tyson Fury, which took place in May, as the best fight of 2024.
Background:
- Earlier, Oleksandr Usyk was named the best boxer of 2024 regardless of weight category by the World Boxing Council.
- Last May, Usyk became the first absolute heavyweight champion of the world since 1999, defeating British Tyson Fury by split decision.
- In December, the 37-year-old Ukrainian defeated Fury in a rematch, this time by unanimous decision. However, the absolute championship in the division was not at stake, as Usyk voluntarily vacated the IBF title in the summer. The champion’s belt now belongs to another Briton, Daniel Dubois.
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