Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk fought only once in 2025, but the significance of that fight was enormous. He stopped Daniel Dubois to unify the heavyweight division and leave no doubt about his position at the top of the sport.
Dubois entered the fight as the IBF champion and a physically larger opponent. Usyk controlled the bout with movement, timing, and accuracy before forcing the stoppage. When the fight ended, Usyk held every major heavyweight title, something few fighters in the modern era have accomplished.
The lack of activity works against him in this discussion. Still, heavyweight unification carries a level of historical weight that no other division can match.
Dmitry Bivol
Dmitry Bivol produced one of the most important wins of the year by defeating Artur Beterbiev. The fight settled a long-standing debate at light heavyweight and ended Beterbiev’s undefeated run.
Bivol did not rely on survival or cautious boxing. He controlled range, disrupted Beterbiev’s pressure, and consistently won rounds with clean punching and footwork. The victory was clear and left little room for dispute.
Beating an undefeated, long-reigning champion at this level places Bivol firmly among the strongest Fighter of the Year candidates.
Terence Crawford
Terence Crawford took a major risk by moving up to face Canelo Alvarez, and the gamble paid off. Crawford outboxed Canelo over the course of the fight and won decisively.
Despite the size disadvantage, Crawford dictated the pace with superior timing and movement. Canelo struggled to apply consistent pressure and never gained sustained control. The win further cemented Crawford’s status as one of the most complete fighters of his era.
Crawford’s case rests on the quality of a single performance rather than volume, but few wins in 2025 were as meaningful.
Naoya Inoue
Naoya Inoue put together the strongest overall body of work in 2025. He fought three times and remained dominant in every appearance.
Inoue stopped Ye Joon Kim and Ramon Cardenas before defeating Murodjon Akhmadaliev, a skilled and dangerous opponent. He showed power, precision, and discipline throughout the year, with no lapses in form.
While none of the opponents carried the same global profile as some other candidates, Inoue’s consistency and activity make his case difficult to dismiss.
Rafael Espinoza
Rafael Espinoza had a quieter year, but it was still an effective one. He recorded two stoppage victories, defeating Edward Vazquez and Arnold Khegai.
Neither opponent elevated him into mainstream discussion, but Espinoza performed as a champion should. He controlled both fights and finished them without allowing momentum to swing.
His résumé lacks a signature win, which likely keeps him behind the top contenders, but his performances were solid and decisive.
Final Assessment
There is no unanimous Fighter of the Year for 2025. The answer depends on what is valued most.
- Usyk delivered the biggest achievement.
- Bivol secured the most definitive elite win.
- Crawford took the greatest risk and succeeded.
- Inoue produced the strongest full-year campaign.
The debate remains open, and that uncertainty reflects the depth of top-level performances this year.
