International Boxing: 2025 in Review

Inside the Matchmaker’s Eye By Vincent Morin To say that 2025 was anything but dull in the world of boxing would be an understatement. Major promotions delivered high-profile cards throughout the year in Riyadh, New York, and Las Vegas, much to the delight of fight fans worldwide. Here are the Canada Fighting International Boxing Awards for 2025 Fight of the Year: Callum Smith vs. Joshua Buatsi British warriors Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi might as well have been fighting in the Roman Colosseum. For 12 brutal rounds on February 22 in Riyadh, the two attempted to take each other’s heads off on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev–Dmitrii Bivol rematch. It was a violent, edge-of-your-seat encounter that stole the show on an already spectacular card. Honourable mention: the ferocious showdown between Christian Mbilli and Lester Martinez in the co-main event of Saul Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, on September 13 in Las Vegas. Knockout of the Year: Usyk over Dubois The perfectly timed overhand right — dubbed “The Ivan” — delivered by heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk against British contender Daniel Dubois earns Knockout of the Year honours. With that finish, Usyk once again proved he operates on a different level, erasing all lingering doubts from their first encounter, in which a disputed low blow had fueled controversy. Honourable mention: former world champion and Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua, whose crushing right hand shattered the jaw of influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul.Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: Moses Itauma / Elif Nur Turhan On the men’s side, young British heavyweight Moses Itauma burst onto the global scene with a stunning first-round knockout of countryman Dillian Whyte on August 16 in Riyadh. Headlining an event promoted by Eddie Hearn, Itauma needed less than two minutes to dispatch a proven gladiator and former interim WBC champion. At just 20 years old, he is now widely regarded as the future king of the heavyweight division. On the women’s side, Turkish power puncher Elif Nur Turhan was virtually unknown entering 2025. That changed dramatically after three consecutive upset victories by stoppage: against Shaune Browne in Belfast (March), Rima Ayadi in France (August), and Olympic silver medallist Beatriz Ferreira in Monte Carlo (December). With her unconventional style and rare power, Turhan captured the IBF lightweight world title (135 lb) and firmly placed herself on boxing’s global radar. Event of the Year: Bivol vs. Beterbiev II The February 22 Riyadh rematch between light-heavyweight kings Artur Beterbiev and Dmitrii Bivol takes Event of the Year honours. Beyond the elite main event, the undercard depth was exceptional: Joseph Parker stopping Martin Bakole, Shakur Stevenson facing unbeaten Josh Padley, a draw between Carlos Adames and Hamzah Sheeraz, Agit Kabayel upsetting Zhilei Zhang, Vergil Ortiz clashing with Israil Madrimov, and the war between Smith and Buatsi. Promoter of the Year: MVP Promotions Most Valuable Promotions, founded by Jake Paul, earns Promoter of the Year honours for its media impact, growing popularity, and significant contribution to women’s boxing. The company staged seven events in 2025, including the Super Bowl of women’s boxing: the third chapter of Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor on July 11 at Madison Square Garden. Honourable mention: Turki Al-Sheikh, whose investments helped revitalize the boxing industry by making major fights a reality. Boxer of the Year: Terence Crawford American star Terence Crawford jumped two weight divisions to dominate Mexican icon Saul Canelo Alvarez. With just one bout at 154 lb, many believed Crawford was biting off more than he could chew at super-middleweight (168 lb). Instead, the 38-year-old delivered a masterclass in ring intelligence and skill, earning Boxer of the Year honours. Honourable mention: Naoya Inoue, who successfully defended his linear and The Ring super-bantamweight titles four times in 2025 — a feat not achieved in 42 years. Female Boxer of the Year: Katie Taylor Ireland’s Katie Taylor claims Female Boxer of the Year after her decisive victory in the final chapter of her trilogy with Amanda Serrano. After two fiercely contested and controversial bouts, Taylor left no doubt in the third, solidifying her status as the undisputed super-lightweight champion (140 lb).

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