Ukrainian boxer Usyk takes top spot as WBC’s Fighter of the Year

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has announced the top boxers for 2024. Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk was acknowledged as the best in the men's division, while Australian Skye Nicholson took the top spot in the women's division.

The WBC reported this on its official page on Instagram.

The WBC justified their decision by pointing out that Usyk was the first boxer in the four-belt era to achieve the status of undisputed world champion in the heavyweight division.

On May 18, 2024, Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in a fight for the title of absolute champion. In December, in a rematch with the Briton, the Ukrainian successfully defended these belts, with the exception of the IBF, which Oleksandr vacated in the summer.

Usyk constantly demonstrates his exceptional skills, which indicate his global impact on the sport. The WBC noted that these achievements strengthen Usyk's legacy as one of the greatest boxers of his generation.

The best female boxer of the year was recognized as 29-year-old Australian Sky Nicholson.

The athlete competes in featherweight and, in 2024, won over the main contenders: Dane Sarah Mahfood, Diana Vargas, a representative of the Dominican Republic, and Briton Raven Chapman.

Earlier, Rubryka reported that the British portal GiveMeSport published a rating of the top 10 best heavyweight boxers. Ukrainian world champion Oleksandr Usyk topped the list.

For reference:

Oleksandr Usyk is the absolute world boxing champion in the super heavyweight category. He won this title in a duel with British boxer Tyson Fury on May 19, collecting all four championship belts.

In an incredible confrontation, the Ukrainian boxer won the victory and became the absolute world champion. This was the first fight for the title of absolute world heavyweight champion in the era of four belts. Usyk defended the WBA, WBO, and IBF championship belts and tried to take away the WBC title, which belonged to Fury.

As reported according to the sports magazine The Ring, Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk became the best boxer in the world regardless of weight category (P4P). After the victory over Tyson Fury, the Ukrainian rose from third place in this rating to first.

President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the athlete the state award "National Legend of Ukraine" and the Order of Freedom.

Boxer Oleksandr Usyk presented Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky with the WBC world heavyweight champion belt at a meeting with members of the Ukrainian national team for the 2024 Olympics.