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Boxing

Brutal knockouts, nasty grudges and an undisputed champion - the best fights of 2024

Brutal knockouts, nasty grudges and an undisputed champion - the best fights of 2024Getty

Just one month remains of 2024, and it has been a memorable year for the sport of boxing. 

Fans have been treated to a number of huge fights taking place this year. It's included an undisputed heavyweight title clash, an MMA star going head-to-head with a two-time heavyweight champion, and two giant Brits going head-to-head in front of a UK record crowd at Wembley. 

There are still a number of marquee matchups to take place, including the eagerly anticipated heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21, which will be live on DAZN PPV

Ahead of an exciting end to the year in the sweet science, DAZN News takes a look at five classic fights so far in 2024. 

Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Buy now

Anthony Joshua's brutal knockout of Francis Ngannou

AJ-Ngannou_08032024Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Francis Ngannou shocked the boxing world with a credible performance against Tyson Fury last year in a fight which many claimed he won. 

The former UFC heavyweight champion then decided to face Anthony Joshua. It quickly became a night to forget for the man who idolised boxing legend Mike Tyson, who was knocked out with a thumping AJ right hand in the second round.

For the time being that has put the Cameroonian's boxing career on hold, although he returned to the MMA cage in October with a PFL debut victory over Renan Ferreira.

Ryan Garcia shocks Devin Haney in heated grudge match

garcia-20240420-ftr(Golden Boy / Cris Esqueda)

The build-up to the all-American showdown between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia was one to remember, from Garcia missing weight to fiery confrontations, there was no way this fight would not deliver. 

With Haney a former undisputed champion at lightweight, he was being billed as the favourite, but he found himself on the ring canvas in rounds seven, ten and eleven, which resulted in Garcia being declared the winner by majority decision. 

This result has since been declared a 'No Contest' after Garcia tested positive for a PED on the day of the fight. 

Oleksandr Usyk edges past Tyson Fury in heavyweight thriller

Usyk lands on Fury_18052024Richard Pelham/Getty Images

History was made on May 18 when Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk met for the undisputed heavyweight championship with the winner becoming the first heavyweight fighter to hold all four world title belts. 

There is no doubt that Fury and Usyk are the world's two best heavyweights, and it showed in this fight with very little separating the two. 

A strong second half from Usyk and knockdown in round nine saw the Ukrainian edge a split decision victory, but Fury has a chance at revenge on December 21 when the pair meet in Riyadh live on DAZN PPV

Zhilei Zhang inflicts misery on Deontay Wilder in Riyadh

Deontay Wilder knocked out by Zhilei Zhang_01062024Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

The career of Deontay Wilder was on the line when he faced Zhilei Zhang in the headline bout of the Queensberry vs. Matchroom card in Riyadh last June.

After losing to Joseph Parker six months prior, questions were being asked as to whether the former WBC heavyweight champion could still be a force in the division.

Against Zhang, it appears he doesn't. After being rocked with a right hand in round five, Wilder naively turned his back on Zhang while on unsteady links which saw "Big Bang" pounce with another right hand which floored the American who was deemed unable to continue by the referee. 

Daniel Dubois sends shockwaves with Anthony Joshua knockout win

dubois-20240921-ftr(Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

A sold out Wembley Stadium, two British heavyweight stars, the IBF heavyweight title, the perfect ingredients for a huge fight. 

Daniel Dubois' IBF heavyweight title defence against Anthony Joshua is a contest which will not be forgotten with the former shocking the two-time champion. 

Dubois was destructive and clinical, knocking down Joshua on multiple occasions before a right hook brought the contest to an end in the fifth. 

This win not only catapulted Dubois' career onto the world stage, but also saw him announce himself as a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. 

Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - Buy Now

 

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 and the full undercard will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View worldwide in over 200 countries. 

You can buy the PPV right now for £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US, which comes with a seven day free trial of DAZN. For more information, prices in your region and to buy now, click here.

Being a PPV event means this is a one-off payment, with no contract or future extra costs.

The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.

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