Naoya Inoue awarded the IBF's highest honour

Naoya Inoue awarded the IBF's highest honour

Published On Tuesday, May 12, 2026By Global Boxing News
Related Tags: Naoya Inoue, Katie Taylor, IBF

The IBF 2025 awards

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) will host its 41st Annual Convention at the Grand Ho Tram resort in Ho Tram, Vietnam from May 24–28, 2026. The multi-day event will bring together members of the global boxing community for meetings, networking opportunities, and social events.

A key highlight of the convention is the IBF Awards Ceremony, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of boxers who competed for IBF titles during the previous year.

The IBF is pleased to announce its top award recipients for 2025, who will be honored at the Awards Banquet on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, concluding the convention’s official program.


Jersey Joe Walcott Award

Naoya Inoue has been selected as the recipient of the Jersey Joe Walcott Award, the organization’s highest honor for male world champions. Inoue earned this distinction following an exceptional 2025 campaign, highlighted by a series of dominant title defenses and elite-level performances. Notably, this marks the second time Inoue has received this prestigious recognition, an uncommon achievement that underscores the consistency and excellence required to be recognized at this level. Widely regarded as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters, Inoue’s accomplishments over the past year further solidify his standing at the pinnacle of professional boxing and reflect the elite standard embodied by the Jersey Joe Walcott Award.


Female Fighter of the Year

Katie Taylor was selected as the Female Fighter of the Year. Taylor earned this honor following her highly significant championship bout against Amanda Serrano, a marquee matchup that highlighted her skill, composure, and championship pedigree. Despite competing only once during the year, the magnitude and quality of Taylor’s performance underscored her continued position among boxing’s top competitors. This marks the second time Taylor has been recognized with the Female Fighter of the Year award, a rare distinction that highlights her sustained excellence and consistency throughout her career. Taylor’s continued success further cements her legacy as a defining figure in the modern era of boxing.


Fight of the Year

IBF Fight of the Year – Masamichi Yabuki vs Angel Ayala

IBF Female Fight of the Year – Beatriz Ferreira vs Elif Nur Turhan

Intercontinental Fight of the Year – Conah Walker vs Pat McCormack

USBA Fight of the Year – Angel A vs Eros Correa

IBF International Fight of the year – Ryang Ho Han vs Ramil Roda

“These honors are truly well earned, reflecting the dedication, discipline, and hard work each boxer has demonstrated in pursuit of success at the highest level of boxing. It is a privilege to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our champions and the fighters who competed in IBF title bouts in 2025. We look forward to honoring them,” said IBF President Daryl Peoples.

The IBF has a history of hosting successful and well-attended conventions in leading destinations worldwide, and a strong turnout is anticipated for this historic gathering in Vietnam. This event marks the first time the organization’s Convention will be held in Southeast Asia, representing a significant milestone in the IBF’s continued global growth and international presence.

For additional information on the convention visit www.ibf-usba-boxing.com