How do the experts rate the results of the BOXSPORT “Boxer of the Year 2025” poll? Are their favorites among the winners?
Bernd Bönte, boxing expert
Tina Rupprecht’s selection as “Boxer of the Year” is logical and undisputed. As the first German professional boxer – including men – to win the world championship belts of all the major federations, she set a historic milestone in boxing. Agit Kabayel, on the other hand, not only won the WBC Interim World Championship title with his magnificent victory over the favored Chinese fighter Zhilei Zhang, but also rightly defended his title as “Boxer of the Year”. We now also know that he can fill large venues in Germany within a very short space of time and is well on the way to helping boxing in Germany make its long-awaited comeback.
Eik Galley, sports commentator
Of course, Agit Kabayel and Tina Rupprecht! With only one fight each in 2025, but with worldwide appeal. Kabayel was down in Riyadh against Zhilei Zhang in round five after a huge left, and shortly afterwards knocked out the Chinese fighter – the first ever to do so. The sport could not be more spectacular. Rupprecht won the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO belts against the Japanese Sumire Yamanaka in an extremely varied boxing performance. Only Max Schmeling and she held the belt of “The Ring Magazine” as Germans. Nice that she is going to be a mother. Too bad she can’t market her now great popularity.
Regina Halmich, Hall-of-Famer
As Undisputed Champion, Tina Rupprecht absolutely deserves to win the title of “Female Boxer of the Year”. This award is a great recognition for her – especially in a weight class, the atomweight, which is usually rarely in the spotlight. It brings Tina full circle and is a crowning achievement in her sporting career.
Andreas von Thien, RTL sports presenter
I was spoiled for choice this time. Torn between the female and male candidates who are giving boxing Germany a new push. In the men’s category, I had Abass Baraou in front by a wafer-thin margin. The way he has mastered his career, the way he keeps going through the steel bath, the way he boxes so attractively – that fascinates me. Even if he has just suffered a bitter defeat against Xander Zayas. Congratulations to Agit Kabayel, of course! The “Leberking” has more than earned the title. Tina Rupprecht is “Boxer of the Year”. She finally gets this recognition. “Tiny Tina” has achieved everything and shown it to everyone. Undisputed world champion. And now a baby. The best is saved for last.
Axel Schulz, boxing idol
Agit put in a top performance against Zhilei Zhang in 2025, became interim WBC world champion and absolutely deserved to be voted “Boxer of the Year”. It is a shame that the association has not yet given him the chance to fight for the world championship. However, the performances of Abass Baraou and Noel Mikaelian, who both won a world championship belt abroad last year, were also strong – only a few German boxers have achieved this so far. Congratulations also to “Undisputed” Tina Rupprecht: she has achieved a unique feat in German professional boxing in 2025!
Ulli Wegner, coaching legend
The decision was difficult for me. With all due respect to Tina Rupprecht, Nina Meinke was my choice. She is an excellently trained boxer with exceptional skills and has a top trainer at her side in Kay Huste. Agit Kabayel delivered a great fight against Zhang in 2025. I’m a big fan of his, also because he has an excellent coach in Sükrü Aksu. Nevertheless, my choice fell on Abass Baraou. Abass started out as a professional with me and is an exceptional talent with a great attitude. Last year he deservedly became world champion abroad, for which he has my respect and my vote.
Bertram Job, boxing expert
Tina Rupprecht receives the well-deserved reward for her four world titles, and Agit Kabayel is honored for the courage and self-confidence in his fight against Zhilei Zhang. Everyone who followed professional boxing in 2025 can understand that. Congratulations to “Mighty Atom” and the giant from Wattenscheid!