The boxing world is buzzing! The legendary "Bible of Boxing," The Ring magazine, has spoken, crowning its top champions of 2025, and the choices are sure to spark some lively debate!
This year, the prestigious Fighter of the Year awards went to Terence Crawford and Mizuki Hiruta, but the accolades didn't stop there. The Ring's annual ceremony, held on Friday, celebrated excellence across six other key categories, showcasing the incredible talent that graced the sport.
Terence Crawford's dominance was undeniable, cemented by a single, breathtaking performance. He boldly moved up two weight classes to challenge the undisputed super middleweight king, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Crawford didn't just win; he delivered a masterclass, becoming the first fighter in the four-belt era to achieve undisputed status in three different weight divisions. Talk about making history!
But here's where it gets interesting: Crawford wasn't the only contender for this coveted title. The Ring's other male nominees included unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, the phenomenal Naoya Inoue (undisputed junior featherweight champ), the exciting Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (unified junior bantamweight champ), and heavyweight force Fabio Wardley. A truly stacked field!
On the women's side, Mizuki Hiruta shone brightly, earning her Fighter of the Year award through sheer activity and success. She defended her WBO junior bantamweight title an impressive four times in 2025, a feat unmatched by any other female world titleholder. Her victories included outpointing Maribel Hernandez, Carla Merino (to claim the vacant Ring championship at 115lbs), Naomy Cardenas, and Gloria Gallardo. Her dedication is truly inspiring!
And this is the part most people miss: Hiruta faced stiff competition for her award. The other nominees for female Fighter of the Year were unified junior flyweight champion Evelin Bermudez, the dual-division titleholder Mikaela Mayer (welterweight and junior middleweight), unified and Ring junior featherweight champion Ellie Scotney, and unified and Ring junior welterweight champion Katie Taylor. A testament to the incredible depth of talent in women's boxing.
Fight of the Year: A Grudge Match Ignites!
The Ring declared the first encounter between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn as the Fight of the Year, a bout that saw Eubank Jr. emerge victorious via unanimous decision. This fight was more than just a contest; it was a deeply personal rivalry that captivated audiences.
But what about the other contenders? The nominees included Bivol's hard-fought majority decision win over Artur Beterbiev, Kenshiro Teraji's dramatic last-round stoppage of Seigo Yuri Akui, Naoya Inoue's thrilling stoppage victory against Ramon Cardenas, and Abdullah Mason's impressive unanimous decision win. Do you agree with The Ring's choice, or was there another fight that truly stole your heart this year?
Knockout of the Year: A Visual Spectacle!
For pure, jaw-dropping power, Brian Norman Jr.'s fifth-round knockout of Jin Sasaki earned the Knockout of the Year award. It was a highlight-reel finish that had fans on their feet!
Trainer of the Year: The Mastermind Behind the Wins!
Shingo Inoue was recognized as Trainer of the Year for his exceptional guidance of his sons. He masterfully guided Naoya Inoue through four successful defenses of his undisputed junior featherweight title and also helped Takuma Inoue capture the vacant WBC bantamweight belt by defeating the highly-touted Tenshin Nasukawa. A true family affair and a coaching triumph!
But here's where it gets controversial... Shingo Inoue wasn't the only name in contention. The other nominees were Robert Garcia (who trains a stable including Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez), Rudy Hernandez (working with Junto Nakatani and Anthony Olascuaga), Brian “Bomac” McIntyre (whose star pupil was Terence Crawford), and Manny Robles (who guided Mizuki Hiruta and Jose Armando Resendiz). Is the focus on family success overshadowing other incredible coaching achievements? Let us know your thoughts below!
Upset of the Year: The Underdog Triumphs!
Speaking of Resendiz, his incredible split decision victory over former titleholder Caleb Plant to snatch a secondary WBA title was crowned The Ring's Upset of the Year. A truly unexpected and thrilling result!
Round of the Year: A Frenetic Exchange!
The ninth round between bantamweights Seiya Tsutsumi and Daigo Higa was hailed as the best round of 2025. It was a round packed with non-stop action and incredible skill.
Prospect of the Year: The Future is Bright!
Emiliano Vargas, one of the talented fighting sons of Fernando Vargas Sr., has been named The Ring's Prospect of the Year. This 21-year-old junior welterweight had a phenomenal 2025, moving his record to a perfect 16-0 with 13 knockouts after four impressive victories. He showcased his power and skill, with notable quick knockouts and a first-time 10-round decision win. The future of boxing looks incredibly promising with talents like Vargas emerging!
What do you think of The Ring's selections for 2025? Were there any surprises for you? Share your opinions in the comments below!
