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If the table plan for the Ring Awards in London sprung a few surprises – Oleksandr Usyk was stuck next to Frank Warren and Frank’s son George Warren found himself alongside promotional rival Eddie Hearn – the winners gongs were largely predictable.
That’s no bad thing, however.
Usyk, the incredible Ukrainian who twice beat the Warren-promoted Tyson Fury in 2024, was surely the only choice for Fighter of the Year – and so it proved.
“For me this year was great for me, for my family, for my team, it was very important,” Usyk said. “If you want to help people, if you want to give smile, give good education, behavior, smile, be happy… And I want to say, my opponent, my best friend, Tyson Fury, my friend greedy belly, thank you so much, you were great, my opponent.”
The Ukrainian, for his part in the first Fury rumble, also accepted the Event and Round of the Year. “This ninth round was great,” Usyk said of those three minutes that Fury barely survived, “thank you so much.”
Usyk’s female counterpart was Gabriela Fundora, still only 22 years old, who cleaned up the flyweight titles in 2024 with victories over Christina Cruz, Daniela Asenjo and Gabriela Alaniz.
Ray Ford’s stunning last gasp win over Otabek Kholmatov in March, when he uncorked one of the greatest finales in recent memory, scooped Fight of the Year.
Comeback was won by Billy Dib, following his awe-inspiring return after beating cancer.
“Without boxing I don’t know where I’d be or where I would have ended up,” Dib said while giving special praise to the WBC, who orchestrated his unlikely comeback. “Thanks to my family and friends in boxing. This wasn’t about winning, it was about going out on my own terms, I wouldn’t let cancer be my final fight.”
The award was presented to Dib by Ryan Garcia, an early contender for this award in 2025 as he returns following a suspension for testing positive for PEDs.
Another boxer plotting his return following a skirmish with the drug-testing authorities is Conor Benn. He was on hand to present Moses Itauma, the brilliant heavyweight starlet seemingly nailed on for glory, with the Prospect of the Year award.
Trainer of the Year went to Robert Garcia, largely for his work with Jesse Rodriguez and Virgil Ortiz. “He was a championship fighter,” said Teddy Atlas, on hand to present the honor, “and now he’s a championship trainer.”
Completing the evening was the absent Don King, who prayed for peace, unity and solidarity, in a recorded message, when he accepted the award for Lifetime Achievement.
Fighter of the Year – Oleksandr Usyk
Female Fighter of the Year – Gabriela Fundora
Fight of the Year – Ray Ford KO 12 Otabek Kholmatov
Event of the Year – Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury I
Trainer of the Year – Robert Garcia
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