Midyear boxing awards: Best KO, fighter, fight and more

After six-plus months of boxing, and lots of fight cards all around the world, it’s time to pick the best of the first half of 2024. From incredible individual performances in the heavyweight division, to unforgettable KOs, upsets and all-action fights, the sport of boxing has set a high bar for the rest of the year.

For the first time since Lennox Lewis in 2000, we have an undisputed heavyweight champion, and for the first time ever, an undisputed strawweight champion was crowned in women’s boxing. A champion made a power-packed impression with a stunning knockout, and another suffered a huge upset in his return home.

Mike Coppinger and Nick Parkinson look at some memorable moments at the halfway point of the year.

Men’s fighter of the half year: Oleksandr Usyk