go through Paul Jones: With awards season in full swing and 2024 in the rearview mirror, I’m counting down the 5 most courageous performances in boxing in 2024 and handing out hardware to honor the fighters who got us here.

(⚠️WARNING: This article contains graphic boxing images that some readers may find disturbing. Viewers are advised to exercise caution.)

No. 5. The bravest performance

Photo © DAZN on X
Nominated by: Bektemir Melikuzyev

• Date: April 20, 2024
• Where: Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)

ranking competitors, Bektemir Melikuzyevand the undefeated challenger, Pierre Hubert DIBOMBE, April in Haney vs. Garcia The undercard of the WBA Intercontinental Super Middleweight Championship. A bloody mayhem ensued, in part as Melikuzyev and Dibombe each suffered deep lacerations to their eyes, caused by an accidental head-butt and close encounter of. Although DIBOMBE maintained a manageable advance in the first round, MELIKUZIEV suffered a horrific advance due to a nasty clash of heads with DIBOMBE in the fifth period, leaving the self-proclaimed “bully” in the The eyelids bled profusely for the rest of the game. fighting. Fortunately for Melikuziev, he built up enough money in the early rounds and was on the cards when the fight was stopped by ringside doctors in the eighth round due to an accidental headbutt. Easily ahead. When the final scorecards were read, it was no surprise that MELIKUZIEV defeated DIBOMBE via technical unanimous decision.

No. 4. The bravest performance

Photo © World Boxing Association/@wbaboxingofficial

Nominated by: Jono Carroll

• Date: July 24, 2024
• Location: IBA Colosseum (Serpukhov, Russia)

In an interesting battle, JOno Carrollagainst the former Olympic gold medalist, Albert BatgazyevIn a fight for the WBA (interim) super featherweight title, Carroll got off to a hot start in the first period and even knocked out Bartel Gaziyev in the third round. However, Battalgaziev systematically beat Carroll for the rest of the fight, landing heavy blows to Carroll’s head and body, culminating in a brutal body shot in the ninth round Ending the night for the Irish.

After the fight, Carroll quipped, “I’m going to have to take a break from modeling.” That’s an understatement considering the boxing makeover Bartergaziyev gave Carroll. Because of Carroll’s bravery, and his ability to persevere with his eyes nearly swollen open—something we haven’t seen since Guerrero vs. Berto in 2012—Carroll is in our ranked fourth on the list.

Photo © Jae C. Hong/AP

‏ No. 3. Strongest performance

Photo © NETFLIX
🥉Third place: Amanda Serrano

• Date: November 24, 2024
• Where: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)

Our third player, Amanda Serranopush it to the maximum Taylor VS. Serrano – II (Women’s Boxing Fight of the Year), Fighting Katie Taylor During the last three rounds, her right eye was severely scratched. Although Serrano was locked in a fight with Taylor in the 10th round, it was Serrano’s ability to elevate his performance in the clutch moments – the Boricua legend landed 285 of 734 punches. times (according to COMPUBOX data, the punching rate is 39%). Headbutted by Taylor in round 8. With 4 world titles on the line, Serrano once again proved her mettle in her eyes, losing to Taylor on a controversial decision (scorecard: 95-94 (three times)) despite bleeding out all the way in the title match – Many believe Serrano will win this fight.

‏No. 2. The bravest performance

Photo © Esther Lin/PBC
🥈Runner-up: Sebastian Fundola

• Date: March 30, 2024
• Where: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, NV)

Registration at number 2 of our countdown has been filled in late, Sebastian FundolaDefeated the former WBO world champion, Tim Tsyo, The split decision in March became one-half of the bloodiest battle of 2024, Purple Jade vs. Fundora.

Photo © Esther Lin/PBC

“THE TOWERING INFERNO” landed a total of 1,100 punches in this game despite severe cuts and bleeding on his face and body, which at times obscured his vision, including FUNDORA’s nose and mouth leaking like a faucet , successfully punched more than 700 punches. . ” Place finish. The game left fans clamoring for a rematch of what was a “very exciting” game.

‏No. 1. The bravest performance

Photo © @MIKAELALAUREN76/Instagram

🏆Winner: Michaela Lauren

• Date: November 30, 2024
• Location: InterContinental Hotel (Vienna, Australia)

Finally, the bravest performance of 2024 came from a former world champion, Michaela Lauren,Sweden. In the championship game in November, the opponent was the defending champion, Michael KotaskovLauren, 48, proved she was indeed a fighter, fighting to the final bell despite having a badly swollen face. Lauren’s swelling reportedly stemmed from a crack in her skull, caused by several accidental headbutts as early as the first round.

To make matters worse, the young Kotaskova pummeled Lauren, and the cumulative effect of Kotaskova’s punches and inadvertent head collisions left Lauren’s face almost unrecognizable after the game. Like the main character in the movie The Elephant Man.

Although Lauren quipped after the match that she “looked like a freak show,” her grit was undeniable, taking on an undefeated top-ranked contender who was 13 years her junior. At this age, more people are more worried about their 401K than their leather deals. It is for these reasons, and the tremendous physical harm that MIKAELA LAUREN endured, that she The bravest performance of the year! 

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About the author:

Paul Jones! is a long-time boxing writer and ringside photographer for Boxing News 24. Scientist by day, writer by night, he covers the humor, offbeat, and absurdity of boxing. His articles, photos and reviews have appeared in numerous online outlets (such as Boxing News 24/7, Round by Round Boxing, Boxing Insider and Medium.com) as well as print and academic journals.
Please email or send him a tip: [email protected].