Who will be the Comeback Boxer of the Year for 2025 since the year is just beginning and many fights and performances are yet to unfold. However, based on current trends, scheduled bouts, and fighters poised for a return, here are some strong contenders who could claim the title by the end of 2025:
Errol Spence Jr. – After a significant layoff following his loss to Terence Crawford in July 2023, Spence is set to return in 2025 at 154 pounds against Sebastian Fundora, the WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion. At 34, with questions lingering about his form post-Crawford, a dominant win or title capture could mark a remarkable comeback for the former unified welterweight champ.
Deontay Wilder – Following two consecutive losses in 2023 and 2024, Wilder’s career is at a crossroads. His trainer, Malik Scott, has said 2025 will be make-or-break. If the former WBC heavyweight champ can recapture his knockout prowess, he could be a dark horse for the comeback narrative.
Keith Thurman’s got a plan: he’s eyeing a three-fight year, with a potential clash against Tim Tszyu as a centerpiece, followed by a title shot in 2026. His performance against Jarvis showed he still has power and ring IQ, dropping the younger fighter twice before the ref waved it off. At 36, he’s not the prime “One Time” who schooled Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia a decade ago, but he’s banking on experience and a relatively unbeat body (thanks to inactivity) to carry him. He’s called it “one of the greatest comebacks in 2025,” comparing himself to legends like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. Bold words, but he’ll need more than a win over Jarvis to back that up.
Jermell Charlo has a shot at being the Comeback Boxer of the Year for 2025, but it’s a steep climb given his current situation and the competition. He’s been out of the ring since September 2023, when he lost a lopsided decision to Canelo Alvarez at 168 pounds, a fight where he moved up two weight classes and looked outmatched. Now 34, turning 35 in May, he’s teased a 2025 return to 154 pounds—his natural division—where he was once the undisputed champ.
PUNSH DRUNK BOXING 