Triumphs, tragedies, insults and injury: 2025 in the ring

Steve Bunce on a turbulent year on both sides of the ropes

- 

In 2025, the old sport survived the shocking death of a hero, the absence of Tyson Fury, and a win in a carnival fight by Anthony Joshua just days before a tragic accident.

It was an exceptional year of highs, lows and ridiculous episodes on both sides of the ropes. There were high-profile defections, stadium sell-outs, and stunning knockouts. There were also allegations of fixed fights, men quitting in major fights, and too many deaths on the safe side of the ropes.

There were three major stadium fights in Britain during the year, with a combined live gate of about 220,000 people; there were smaller stadium fights and probably 10 fights with 15,000 fans at indoor arenas. In September, for the first time since it started in 1974, the World Amateur Championships came to Britain; the action in Liverpool was exceptional, the coverage abysmal.

Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr filled Tottenham’s ground for 24 rounds of thrills, tears and pain. Their first fight was brutal, with both barely walking at the end. Eubank Jr got the decision and deserved the decision. Benn was in tears, Eubank Jr in the back of an ambulance with dehydration and exhaustion. Seven months later, they did it again; Benn won comfortably, Eubank Jr was never in the fight. It was captivating, but not the savage fight they delivered the first time. Boxers have boundaries, and they know them, especially against old opponents; Benn and Eubank had nothing to prove in the second fight.

In July, over 90,000 packed Wembley to watch Oleksandr Usyk drop and stop Daniel Dubois in round five; Usyk became undisputed champion again on the night. Dubois was accused of many things in defeat, some malicious and untrue. To me, from six feet away, he looked badly hurt. The criticism was harsh.