2025: A Tumultuous Year for Boxing
2025 was a tumultuous year for boxing, marred by tragic events and marked by thrilling contests that kept fans on edge. The sport struggled but endured the shocking death of a beloved figure, coupled with the absence of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua’s controversial victory against Jake Paul just before a heartbreaking incident. Across the boxing landscape, there were unsettling stories alongside exhilarating highs, including knockouts, stadium sell-outs, and accusations of fight rigging. The year also shed light on the tragic underbelly of the sport with an alarming increase in fatalities both in and out of the ring.
Major Events and Attendance
In the UK alone, boxing fans witnessed three major stadium fights, drawing a remarkable attendance of around 220,000, alongside numerous smaller venues hosting fights with audiences nearing 15,000. A significant highlight in September was the World Amateur Championships, returning to Britain for the first time since its inception in 1974. Liverpool hosted the event with remarkable talent, although the coverage of it fell short of expectations.
Standout Rivalries
One of the standout rivalries of the year featured Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr., who engaged in two fiercely contested battles at Tottenham. Their initial fight, which was a brutal affair that saw both fighters barely able to stand at the end, culminated in Eubank Jr. taking the judges’ decision. A rematch later that year saw Benn decisively come out on top, although it lacked the intensity of their first encounter, as both men were aware that they had little left to prove against one another.
Championship Highlights
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk reclaimed the undisputed heavyweight title in July by defeating Daniel Dubois in front of a crowd exceeding 90,000 at Wembley Stadium. However, the fallout from Dubois’s defeat raised eyebrows, as he was subjected to unfair scrutiny following the fight. Critically, 2025 saw an insidious trend in boxing media, where fighters were often labeled as “cowards” or worse following losses, reflecting a growing disrespect towards the athletes involved.
In the realm of championships, Nick Ball successfully defended his WBA featherweight title on two occasions, while Jazza Dickens was elevated to WBA super-featherweight champion. Fabio Wardley had a breakout year, ending with the WBO heavyweight title after a dramatic victory parade, having initially trailed only to prevail against Justis Huni and later stopping Joseph Parker.
Return to Mainstream Television
In British boxing’s return to mainstream television, Jeamie TKV took home the vacant heavyweight championship against Frazer Clarke, bringing the sport back into the limelight on the BBC two decades after its last feature. The captivating brawl was a stark reminder that boxing is as brutal as it is thrilling, contrasting the sensationalist portrayal often found in celebrity bouts featuring influencers.
Emerging Names and Women’s Boxing
Despite mixed results in major fights abroad, such as losses for Anthony Yarde and Sandy Ryan, emerging names began to assert themselves with Hamzah Sheeraz and Lewis Crocker winning major bouts. The women’s boxing scene, although generally overshadowed in 2025, saw Lauren Price and Ellie Scotney claim different world titles, but many felt it fell short of a banner year.
Competitive Domestic Bouts and Losses
Domestic bouts remained incredibly competitive, with Callum Smith’s clash with Joshua Buatsi in Riyadh making ripples across the sport as a candidate for fight of the year. Amidst these matches, one of British boxing’s greatest figures, Joe Bugner, passed away at age 75, a somber reminder of the sport’s historical context.
September brought an even greater loss to the boxing community with the passing of Ricky Hatton, whose funeral marked a pause in the sport, as it reflected over his impactful legacy. His unexpected death at 46 struck a chord with fans, showcasing the emotional connection many had formed with him throughout his career.
Contrasts of Success and Tragedy
Finally, Anthony Joshua’s dramatic knockout of Jake Paul, which aired to 30 million viewers on Netflix, exemplified the year’s extremes of success and tragedy. Just days after this victory, Joshua faced personal loss when he was involved in a car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of close friends. While the glitz of the Miami fight quickly faded in the wake of the tragedy, it punctuated a year of stark contrasts in the boxing world, compelling fans and athletes alike to reflect on the fragile balance between glory and despair within the sport.
