For all the artistry at the elite levels of boxing, the footwork and defense, the crisp combinations and pinpoint jabs, there’s nothing quite like a knockout. To see a boxer’s consciousness separated from their body by a thunderous shot is arguably the most visceral moment in all of sports. 2024 was a year that delivered some particularly violent knockouts, many of which came on the sport’s biggest stages. While there were epic KOs across all weight classes, the heavyweights stole the show this year. Our panel of CBS Sports experts sat down, debated and cast our votes for Knockout of…

Getty Images In a year-round, global sport like boxing, there’s a near-guarantee that every year will produce several great fights. That was no different in 2024, with several viable contenders emerging in the Fight of the Year race. Making 2024 even more interesting was the fact that these great fights took place across a variety of weight classes and for both men and women — and many with the biggest stakes in the sport on the line.

A scrappy start to the second round sees Vargas take a knee but he is bundled over — rather than knocked over — by Ball. Vargas gets back to his feet and the pair come together in a tangle of limbs once again, but this time Ball lands a good — and legal — uppercut on the break.

Ball is making this very difficult for Vargas. He’s getting rough on the inside and is also ducking down when he defends himself, making Vargas stretch all the way down to land his shots. It’s a slightly bizarre spectacle but it’s an intriguing one.

Anthony Joshua faces Francis Ngannou knowing a statement victory could open up one of the most exciting periods in his career as he targets becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion; watch Joshua face Ngannou live on Sky Sports Box Office on Friday March 8.

Whether relaunch or retaliation, his renewed pursuit of boxing’s pinnacle resumes in less orthodox circumstances on Friday when he pits his knockout exploits against that of former UFC star Francis Ngannou. A stoppage victory beckons as the latest statement on his targeted route back to heavyweight glory, while threatening a sharp jab to the Tyson Fury tale in light of the Gypsy King’s uncomfortable encounter with Ngannou late last year.

Ngannou wanted the biggest and the best were he to sacrifice UFC supremacy for his childhood dreams of stepping inside the ring. So he came to Fury and now he comes to Joshua, the latter of whom’s influence as a beacon of his era has helped sell yet more historic crossover combat in Saudi Arabia’s heavyweight playground.

The career of Ngannou has unfolded minus the burden of expectation such is his underdog background, while in contrast there may be no British fighter of the last decade that has shouldered as much pressure to succeed as Joshua during his gold-medal-springboarded rise to fame.

The event will start at 4pm, Friday March 8 on Sky Sports Box Office (Sky channel 491) and Sky Sports Box Office HD (Sky channel 492).

The event is priced at £19.95 for Sky customers in the UK, €24.95 for Sky customers in the Republic of Ireland up until midnight on Thursday March 7.

Thereafter £19.95/€24.95 across all “self-service” bookings (remote control/online) or £24.95 / €29.95 if booked via the phone (either IVR or agent) but note an additional £2 booking fee if via an agent will apply.

The event price will revert back to £19.95 / €24.95 (ROI) from midnight Friday March 8.

Two repeat showings (full duration) will be shown at 6am and 4pm on Saturday March 9.