Boxing winners and losers from 2023 including Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder

Boxing winners and losers from 2023 including Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder

WATCH NOW: Anthony Joshua beats Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 25/12/2023

- 07:00

It's been a spectacular year for the sport

With 2024 nearly upon is, it's time to look back at 2023 so far.

It has been a stellar year of action in boxing, with many A-listers stepping into the ring - with varying results.


On December 23, Anthony Joshua beat Otto Wallin - while Deontay Wilder slumped to a shock defeat to Joseph Parker.

GB News now takes a look back at the year so far and lists three winners - and three losers.

Winner: Anthony Joshua

Boxing Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury Deontay Wilder

Boxing winners and losers from 2023 include Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder

GETTY

Let's start with AJ.

It has been a busy year for the Briton, who has fought three opponents in 2023.

And Joshua has emerged as a champion by winning all three of his bouts against Wallin, Robert Helenius and Jermaine Franklin Jr.

The 34-year-old is now set for a busy 2024 as a result, with Eddie Hearn saying he's expecting his client to lock horns with Filip Hrgovic early on.

Loser: Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder went into Saudi's 'Day of Reckoning' event with a point to prove.

Having seen his stock fall after two defeats from Tyson Fury, the Bronze Bomber needed to win to boost the chances of a fight between himself and Joshua.

However, Wilder was alarmingly poor during his defeat to Parker and is now facing an uncertain future in the sport as a result.

Certainly, he now seems to be a man past his prime.

Winner: Tyson Fury

While Tyson Fury was unconvincing during his victory over Francis Ngannou, he still got the job done.

And, like in all sports, winning is the aim of the game. When all is said and done, that's all that matters.

Fury also ranks as a winner due to the money he's made over the past 12 months, while also agreeing a bout with Oleksandr Usyk.

Whether he's on this list in 12 months' time, once his battle with Usyk is out of the way, is something only time will tell.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Loser: Dillon Danis

Dillon Dannis

Boxing star Dillon Danis failed to live up to his own hype during his showdown with Logan Paul

GETTY

If you're going to mouth off on social media and make unsavoury comments, at least back it up in the ring.

But that's exactly what Dillon Danis didn't do when he faced Logan Paul earlier in the year.

Paul battered his opponent and many felt it was just what Dannis deserved given the way he'd targeted the American and his fiancee, Nina Adgal.

He also struggled to get his words out when talking to Paul and was consequently dubbed 'an internet troll in real life'.

Winner: Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing star Oleksandr Usyk continued his fine form in 2023

GETTY

Like Fury, Usyk has had just one fight this year.

But he was superior to Daniel Dubois when they met back in August and was convincing as he secured victory that night.

Usyk, like Fury, also stands to pocket millions from their upcoming fight on February 17.

He also deserves credit for maintaining his integrity, with Fury often insulting his opponent, which is no easy feat given the hostilities involved.

Loser: British boxing fans

British boxing fans

British boxing fans are missing out with Saudi Arabia hosting many of the big fights these days

GETTY

British boxing fans deserve to make this list.

Most big fights are happening in Saudi Arabia these days and, due to the time difference, that means some will always miss out.

They're also having to fork out huge money to tune into the fights. Even battles between amateurs such as Tommy Fury and KSI don't exactly come cheap.

Unfortunately, that's the world we live in these days. Sport is expensive to watch - and hopefully one day that changes.

You may like