The 2023 International Boxing News Awards!
- Dec 30, 2023
- 4 min read
What a year 2023 was for boxing! Now it is time for the moment you have all been waiting for, The 2023 International Boxing News awards!
Fighter of the Year (Male and Female)
Naoya Inoue
A fighter that needs no introduction.
‘The Monster’, Naoya Inoue had an incredible 2023 becoming the UNDISPUTED Super-Bantamweight World champion in ONLY two fights!
Both fights came against high-level, world-class operators. The first of two stoppage victories came against long-reigning World champion Stephen Fulton for WBC and WBO World titles. Marlon Tapales was the second victim in Inoue’s quest for undisputed with ‘The Monster’ securing a 10th round stoppage victory to capture WBA and IBF World titles.
After becoming undisputed in December 2022 against Paul Butler, Inoue’s achievement of becoming undisputed this year becomes even more impressive!
Amanda Serrano
A true pioneer of the sport continued to prove why she is always considered in the discussion of boxing's top pound-for-pound fighters.
Amanda Serrano completed her quest for UNDISPUTED with a war against Erika Cruz in February, the fight was unbelievable… but more on that later.
Serrono continued to cement her legacy by defending her unified WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO and Ring Magazine World titles over 12, 3minute rounds against Heather Hardy in August and WBO mandatory challenger Danilla Ramos in October.
Whatever your opinion is on the 10x2, 12x3minute round debate; no one can deny Serrano’s campaign for equality and respect within boxing is nothing less than inspirational.
Fight of the Year: (Male and Female)
Shavkat Rakhimov vs Joe Cordina
In April, Joe Cordina reclaimed the IBF Super-Featherweight World title via split decision against Shavkat Rakhimov!
After the fight, Cordina said he wanted at least one Gatti/Ward in his career… and that is exactly what he got.
It was back and forth throughout with Cordina winning most of the exchanges, Rakhimov was down in the second with Cordina hurt in the fifth.
It was a modern-day classic that saw Cordina reclaim the World title he never lost in the ring.
Amanda Serrano vs Erika Cruz
As mentioned, Amanda Serrano completed her quest for UNDISPUTED with a war against Erika Cruz in February!
In a sold-out Madison Square Garden, World champions collided as blood, sweat and tears were spilled in this battle for undisputed.
Similar to Cordina/Rakhimov, Serrono was winning most of the exchanges, but Cruz did not stop coming!
Both Serrano and Cruz are warriors and delivered on the World stage.
Prospect of the Year:
Moses Itauma
Moses Itauma was one of the most active prospects in World boxing in 2023!
The Chatham based Heavyweight had 7 fights this year, securing 7 wins with 5 by KO!
From Telford to Saudi Arabia, Moses Itauma continued to deliver on the BIG stage!
Will Itauma challenge for titles in 2024?
Performance of the Year:
Terence Crawford TKO9 Win vs Errol Spence Jr
In a fight that seemed close for an eternity, Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr finally clashed to determine the undisputed champion at Welterweight.
What was billed as a 50/50 contest, Crawford dominated Spence in a performance no one was expecting.
Crawford showed his levels that night against a true great in Errol Spence Jr. The win secured Crawford’s legacy in boxing becoming the first 2 weight, undisputed champion in the 4 belt era.
KO of the Year:
Jai Opetaia KO1 Win vs Ellis Zorro
BRUTAL!
After announcing himself on the UK boxing scene stopping Jordan Thompson in September, Jai Opetaia continued his KO streak on British fighters with a first-round stoppage win over Ellis Zorro on December 23.
A lot of people expected Opetaia to get the better of Zorro… but not like that!
An incredible left hook ended the contest in the first round... WOW!
Upset of the Year:
Nathan Heaney MD Win vs Denzel Bentley
What a night November 18th was for Nathan Heaney!
No one picked Nathan Heaney to defeat Denzel Bentely as the clashed for the British Middleweight title, a lot of people were even picking Bentley for an early stoppage...
Heaney boxed out of his skin that night, sticking to instruction and pleasing the Stoke faithful who travelled to Manchester that night.
Big nights ahead... AND THE NEW!
Rising star: (Male and Female)
Paddy Donovan
2023 was the year Paddy Donovan announced himself on the BIG stage.
With 3 fights in 2023, Donovan secured 3 KOs. The most impressive stoppage victory came against English Welterweight champion Danny Ball in round 4 on the Chantelle Cameron vs Katie Taylor 2 undercard.
Ball himself was coming off an impressive performance against Jamie Robinson in May!
Donovan’s trainer, former WBO Middleweight champion, Andy Lee speaks very highly of Donovan any chance he gets... and rightly so. What is particularly interesting, Lee takes Donovan to every fight night with his other fighters, just as trainer Emmanuel Steward did to Andy Lee.
Caroline Dubois
Caroline Dubois took one step onto the World’s stage in 2023, securing the IBO World Lightweight title against Magali Rodriguez in September.
Dubois remained active in 2023 with 3 fights, 3 wins and 1 stoppage!
The most impressive performance came against Yanina Lescano, who drove former champion Estelle Mossely close in 2022.
Will ‘Sweet Caroline’ secure more World titles in 2024?
Honourable mention: Nick Ball
Nick Ball began his charge to World titles in 2023 with two excellent performances against former champions.
Ball stopped former IBO Super-Bantamweight champion Ludumo Lamati in May and defeated former WBO Featherweight World champion Isaac Dogboe in November!
Ball is READY for them ALL!
Trainer of the Year:
Team Ben Davison (Ben Davison, Lee Wylie, Barry Smith)
Ben Davison and the rest of the team at the Ben Davison Performance Centre have had an EXCELLENT 2023 turning over win after win this year.
Whether it was pushing established fighters like Anthony Joshua to an incredible victory against Otto Wallin, developing Olympic champions like Pat McCormack into the professional ranks, or leading World champions like Leigh Wood into battle; Ben Davison and the team have had their most successful year to date.
Devin Haney, Jordan Gill, Royston Barney-Smith and Fabio Wardley are just a few more of the fighters Ben, Barry and Lee have worked with in 2023.
Moment of the Year:
Day of Reckoning – December 23, 2023
There is not much I can say about this card that hasn’t already been said…
The Day of Reckoning already announced that Anthony Joshua, Deontey Wilder, Joseph Parker, Jai Opetaia, Dmitry Bivol and Daniel Dubois would all feature on the SAME bill… but no one in boxing believes anything until the first bell goes.
Fight night came around and it wasn’t a dream.
The fights delivered, the fighters delivered, and promotors worked together!
WHAT A SHOW and what an end to 2023!
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