Comments Thread For: Who will be the Fighter of 2025? BoxingScene contributors make their picks

[BoxingUpdates]

This year it was Oleksandr Usyk who dominated the Fighter of the Year stakes but who will win the gong at the end of 2025?
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[Roj]

Can’t see Shakur as fighter of the year in 2025. First, he’s not going to fight three meaningful fights this year - it’s inevitable he’ll be injured at some point. Second, even he does fight three times a year, his cautious “I don’t want to get hit so let me pose and pot-shot for 12 rounds” style pretty much guarantees at least 2 of those 3 fights will be stinkers. I think Moses Itauma and Terence Crawford will be the tighters of the year.

[Groin Grabber]

I completely forgot about Shakira. Dudes career tanked since leaving top rank

[ShoulderRoll]

Inoue is fighting Goodman and Picasso and avoiding Akhmadaliev.

I could see others having a better resume than that this year.

[crimsonfalcon07]

Bam or Inoue. Or Junto, if he can beat one or both of the aforementioned, and maybe unify as well. Nobody else has the options or the activity to be in the running IMO.

Shakur spends more time on social media than he does in the ring and stinks when he does fight, and none of the prima donnas at 135/140 want to fight him because he's a net negative for sales. Tank is talking retirement and only wants Roach and Ryan Garcia again (and maybe crazy Teo?). Crawford is retired unless he lands a Canelo fight, which he'd lose anyways. Usyk just has guys he's beaten before and contenders, unless he drops down and gets undisputed at cruiserweight again. Maybe Beterbiev has a shot if he can beat Bivol again and then get a belt or two at 200, but he's really inactive and injury prone. I'm not sure Benavidez gets past Morrell, let alone Beterbiev or Bivol, and Canelo won't fight any of the above. Opetaia and Zurdo need to fight, get Mikaelian into the ring for undisputed, and then challenge Usyk or maybe Beterbiev to be in the running, and none of the cruiserweights are at Inoue, Bam, and Junto's level.

[real raw]

Abdullah Mason

[BrankoB]

I cannot see Shakur being a fighter of the year any time soon in any year. Bam's performances in 2024 were electric and he is so dominant I expect him to shine in 2025 and be the fighter of the year. Inoue is also super exciting but I cannot see opponents in front of him that would give him a couple of fights to really remember.

[HisExcellency]

Inoue is probably the most sensible pick but I'm also going to bet on both Sheeraz & Benavidez (IF they can get past Adames & Morrell which are no easy fights).

[Corelone]

Inoue can't do it in Japan. The home town edge will always be considered an unfair advantage. Junto is the acception but thats one fight. Shakur is on Eddys creampuff diet, Tank wants 130s. That leaves Bam and Usyk. Usyk is beating bigger men.

[Cyborg Fangerloo]

What the frick!?!? Shakur? How could he ever be fighter of the year? He doesn't fight anyone. He boxes ONLY (subtleties apply) and I do not remember a single exciting bout he has ever been in.
Personally I love the potential Dubois narrative. Second (or third) chances, heavy hitting, king of the hill HW stuff, etc.
Just my humble opinion of course.