Usyk, Inoue or Crawford? Boxing Fighter of the Year Debate

Over the course of these four contests, Inoue produced a balanced mix of performances. Two wins came by stoppage, two by decision, against opponents whose combined record was 93-4-3 at the time they faced him. His year ended with a victory over previously undefeated David Picasso, allowing Inoue to go 4-0 in 2025 while maintaining full control of his division. For voters who value the consistency, volume and sustained excellence of the championship, his case is simple.

Other leading competitors offer a very different profile. Oleksandr Usyk, the unified heavyweight champion, fought once, but he did so in the glamor division of the sport. Remaining undefeated at 24-0, Usyk stopped Daniel Dubois in their rematch, solidifying his position atop the heavyweight division. Although his activity has been limited, the importance of a heavyweight championship defense still looms large in year-end discussions.

Then there’s Terence Crawford, whose lone appearance may have been the most notable performance of the year. Crawford moved up two divisions to defeat Saul Canelo Alvarez, scoring a decisive, one-sided victory before announcing his retirement. No rematch followed, a decision that suited both the outcome of the fight and Crawford’s career plans.

Crawford’s victory inevitably invites comparison. This was the same Canelo who had already been defeated when he moved up to light heavyweight to face Dmitrii Bivol, underscoring the level of difficulty involved. Some hoped that Crawford could go on to pursue another title, but that path was never realistically considered.

Ultimately, the debate comes down to a question of emphasis. Is Fighter of the Year about sustained excellence and activity, or a single, defining performance on the biggest stage? Inoue, Usyk and Crawford each represent a different answer to this question.