Knockouts of the Year: The most devastating stoppages of 2025

Boxing fans love nothing more than a knockout, and there have been some crackers this year.

In another brilliant year for the sport of boxing, we have witnessed some of the most dramatic endings on the greatest stage in 2025.

As the curtain comes down on a stellar year, DAZN News looks at some of the biggest and best knockouts of the year.

Jai Opetaia knocks out David Nyika in frightening fashion

In the first big fight of 2025, Jai Opetaia went to war with David Nyika in Australia and produced an early contender for Knockout of the Year in January.

The previously unbeaten Nyika was game but was ultimately outgunned by the IBF cruiserweight ruler, who extended his uneaten record to 27 in brutal fashion.

Having already registered a knockdown earlier in the round, Opetaia hurt his man badly with a right hand in the fourth session and as Nyika held on to the ropes to remain upright, the champion unleashed a devastating left hook which left the loser face down on the canvas and unconscious.

Johnny Fisher flattened by Dave Allen

Johnny Fisher’s split decision victory over Dave Allen just before Christmas was one of the most controversial of 2024, so they ran it back the following May.

Allen had dropped Fisher in the first contest and was unable to finish his man, but the Yorkshireman made no mistake second time around.

As he did first time, Fisher started well but the ‘White Rhino’ warmed into the fight and dropped his younger opponent in the fifth round.

Fisher didn’t have long in the round to survive but it wasn’t long enough, as Allen clocked his wounded prey with a huge left hand right on the bell and Fisher fell face first to the ground.

The towel came in at the same time as the referee called the fight off and Allen enjoyed a career-best victory.

Oleksandr Usyk demolishes Daniel Dubois in their rematch

Daniel Dubois’ five-round demolition on Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September 2024 set him up for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, which took place at the same venue in July.

However, this time it was Dubois who was on the wrong end of a beating inside five rounds to an aggressive Usyk, who looked hell-bent on getting rid of Dubois quicker than the nine rounds it took him in the summer of 2023.

Having won all four rounds beforehand, the Ukrainian dropped Dubois in fifth and went on the offence in a bid to become the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time.

After missing with a right hook, Usyk came back with a massive left hook which left Dubois flat on his back and unable to beat the count.

Fabio Wardley stuns Justis Huni

Fabio Wardley produced the comeback of the year with a stunning knockout against the odds versus Justis Huni in June.

Headlining at his hometown stadium of Portman Road in Ipswich, Wardley was the favourite for this contest but was being comprehensively outboxed by the Australian.

Seemingly on his way to the first defeat of his career, Wardley caught Huni flush with a perfect right-hand as the latter squared his feet in round 10 and was left flat on his back.

With Huni unable to beat the count, Wardley and the hometown crowd erupted in euphoria at the most unlikely of stoppage wins.

Moses Itauma obliterates Dillian Whyte

Dillian Whyte was meant to be the acid test of Moses Itauma in August, but the 20-year-old sensation had other ideas.

With many people expecting the veteran to give Itauma some much-needed rounds, the latter set about Whyte from the opening bell and clearly wasn’t in the mood for doing any overtime.

Itauma found a home for some heavy shots midway through the opening round and didn’t let his wobbled opponent off the hook, eventually flooring him with a hard right hook.

Whyte made it to his meet but was clearly on unsteady legs as he fell into the ropes and the referee waved it off to mark a serious statement victory for Itauma.

Ben Whittaker dazzles on Matchroom debut against Benjamin Gavazi

Ben Whittaker promised a big performance on his debut for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom outfit in late November and he didn’t disappoint.

Having already floored Benjamin Gavazi with just over a minute remaining in the first round, Whittaker went looking for an early finish and began to let his punches go.

Under serious pressure and looking to hold on, Gavazi walked straight on to a flush one-two combination from Whittaker and crumpled to the floor in a heavy-looking knockdown.

The referee didn’t bother counting and the highlight reel knockout sets Whittaker up perfectly for a big 2026 with his new team.

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