Mike Costello
Award-winning commentator
The return of crowds. When 1,000 fans sang Sweet Caroline at Joshua-Pulev it seemed to have a deeper impact than usual. Dillian Whyte was with us on BBC 5Live and he said it signalled a return to normality. Whatever the fight, the drama is heightened immeasurably by a crowd.
Tris Dixon
Journalist, author & podcaster
For there to be one world heavyweight champion but there to be more than one world heavyweight championship fight by the end of the year. Oh, and as long as we’re asking, a global commission to oversee and adjudicate the sport’s shenanigans.
Robert Smith
General Secretary, BBB of C
The last year has shown everyone in the sport can work together. There have of course been rivalries, and we need those. But the sport must continue to unite and keep this going. My one wish would be to get small hall promotions up and running again.
Matt Christie
Boxing News editor
It has to be that Fury-Joshua is made and ideally in the UK. But the top of the sport will look after itself. It’s imperative that the many clubs at grassroots level, the small hall fighters and promoters and, of course, the wonderful EBAs up and down the country, are not forgotten.
What was your personal highlight of 2020?
Mike Costello
Award-winning commentator
The Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder fight week in Las Vegas showed that, with the right characters involved, the heavyweight division is still a big deal in the USA. And Fury delivered on his pre-fight promise, just like Teofimo Lopez later in year. Performances which would hold up in any era.
Tris Dixon
Journalist, author & podcaster
It’s always great when new blood emerges but the arrival of Teofimo Lopez was a real shot in the arm for fight fans after what was beginning to look like an increasingly bleak year.
Robert Smith
General Secretary, BBB of C
Simply getting the sport up and running again when for a while it looked like we wouldn’t. In the end, the sport achieved so much in 2020. I’d like to thank all of our inspectors and officials for their patience, and thank my head office staff from the bottom of my heart.
Matt Christie
Boxing News editor
The moment Tyson Fury came to the ring on a throne singing along to Crazy by Patsy Cline ahead of his Las Vegas rematch with Deontay Wilder, you just knew he was about to do something special. Nearly 10 months later, Sweet Caroline being sung by 1,000 fans ahead of Joshua-Pulev was special for different reasons.