5 of The Hardest Queensberry Fights in 2024

Throughout 2024, Frank Warren’s roster of fighters engaged in some of the most gruelling and high-stakes battles in professional boxing. From championship clashes to career-defining moments, these bouts tested the endurance, skill, and determination of those who stepped into the ring.

In this article, we’ll go over 5 of the hardest Queensberry fights in 2024, starting off with Nick Ball’s clash against Rey Vargas of Mexico.

Nick Ball vs Rey Vargas

One of the most gruelling contests in the Queensberry camp for 2024 was when Nick Ball stepped up against the more experienced WBC World Featherweight champion, Rey Vargas.

With Nick Ball previously undefeated and Vargas holding a near-perfect professional record, the stakes were high, and neither man was willing to give an inch. From the opening bell, Ball held the centre of the ring and applied pressure, forcing Vargas onto the back foot with his aggressive and high-volume style.

Known for his technical precision and reach advantage, the Mexican tried to keep the Liverpool fighter at bay, but Ball’s determination and relentless body attacks made it a punishing affair.

As the rounds progressed, Vargas continued to struggle with imposing his usual control and often found himself drawn into a brutal war of attrition. Ball, unfazed by the world champion, continued to press forward and managed to secure a crucial knockdown in the later stages of round number eight.

By the championship rounds, neither man was showing signs of slowing down, but it was evident that following his coach’s advice, Ball became even more aggressive. The relentless pressure eventually led to another knockdown in favour of Ball, which came near the end of round 11.

When the final bell rang, the judges were left with a difficult decision. Despite securing two knockdowns, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for Ball to secure a victory as the three judges ended up scoring the contest 112/114, 114/112, and 113/113, leading to a split-decision draw.

Nick Ball vs Raymond Ford

Following his clash with Vargas, Ball faced another stern test. This time, it was against the American southpaw, Raymond Ford, as part of the Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The bout between the two previously undefeated fighters took place on the 1st of June 2024 at the magnificent Kingdom Arena and was scheduled for 12 three-minute rounds. With national and promotional pride on the line, the stakes were even higher, and both men entered the ring with an intense determination to remain unbeaten.

From the opening bell, Ball immediately came forward and forced Ford onto the back foot. The American used his jab effectively, trying to control the distance and slow Ball’s relentless pressure. However, Ball was undeterred and kept charging forward with his trademark intensity, ripping hooks to the body and testing Ford’s resilience.

As the fight progressed, the contrast in styles became more apparent. As Ford sought to pick his shots and evade exchanges, Ball continued to cut off the ring and tried to force close-quarter combat.

Heading into the championship rounds, it was clear that neither fighter was willing to concede. After twelve intense rounds of featherweight boxing, it all came down to the judges’ scorecards, which read 113/115, 115/113, and 113/115, declaring Nick “The Wrecking” Ball a winner via split decision.

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 1

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 1 was undoubtedly one of the hardest fights of 2024 for team Queensberry as the two previously undefeated titans of the heavyweight division clashed in a battle for undisputed glory, with the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO titles on the line.

The bout between the two world champions took place on the 18th of May 2024 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was scheduled for 12 three-minute rounds.

The fight was a tactical and physical war from the opening bell. Fury, standing at 6'9" with a significant weight advantage, aimed to use his reach and size to keep Usyk at bay.

In the early rounds, “The Gypsy King” controlled the distance well by using his jab and movement to frustrate the smaller Usyk. However, the Ukrainian who is known for his exceptional footwork and ring IQ began finding openings as the fight progressed.

By the middle rounds, Usyk was starting to feel more comfortable and managed to land several sharp left hands with pinpoint accuracy by slipping through Fury’s long reach. Fury responded with his own moments of brilliance, roughing up Usyk in the clinch and landing body shots to slow him down.

The championship rounds saw both fighters digging deep and leaving nothing on the table. By the time the final bell rang, it was clear that this was one of the most grueling and evenly matched heavyweight fights in years.

Joe Joyce vs Derek Chisora

On the 27th of July, 2024, a jam-packed O2 Arena in Greenwich saw an all-British heavyweight clash between “The Juggernaut” Joe Joyce and Derek “War” Chisora. The matchup between the two legends of the sport was scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds and unsurprisingly, it went to distance.

In the opening couple of rounds, Joyce, known for his high-volume approach, looked to wear down Chisora, but the veteran brawler answered back with looping hooks and relentless pressure. Every round was fought at a high pace, with neither man backing down.

Near the end of the bout, in round nine, a fatigued Chisora saw an opening and threw a powerful left hook, which connected with Joyce and sent him to the canvas. Despite the heavy blow, the London man got back up on his feet and gave it his all up until the final bell.

In the end, the decision went to the judges’ scorecards, which read 94/96, 92/97, and 94/96, all in favour of the winner by unanimous decision, Derek “War” Chisora.

Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker

Another tough and physically demanding bout was the showdown between Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker. The 12-round, three-minute matchup between the two heavyweight fighters took place on the 8th of March 2024 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

From the opening bell, Zhang looked to impose his size and strength by using his powerful left hand to keep Parker at range. Parker, however, showcased his trademark movement and counterpunching, looking to exploit openings and wear Zhang down over the rounds.

As the fight progressed, it was evident that the bout was becoming a battle of styles - with Zhang pressing forward and trying to land a powerful left while Parker used his speed and footwork to create angles and land clean combinations.In the later rounds, with both fighters fatigued, every punch carried weight and every moment was a test of their endurance. By the final bell, it was clear that this was not just a hard-fought battle but one of the most gruelling encounters of the year.

After all, the decision was once again up to the three judges, who scored the contest 112/114, 113/113, and 111/115, resulting in a split-decision win for the man from New Zealand.