Rudy Hernandez earned the title of Uncrowned’s 2024 Trainer of the Year, and it’s easy to see why. Guiding champions like Junto Nakatani and Anthony Olascuaga, Hernandez helped deliver five successful title fights this past year — each ending in a knockout. His sharp strategies and knack for bringing out the best in his fighters made him a cornerstone of the boxing world in 2024.
Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs), a three-division champion the current WBC bantamweight titlist, maintained his perfect record in 2024. Moving up from super flyweight, Uncrowned’s No. 8 pound-for-pound in the world began the year with a statement victory on Feb. 24, scoring a knockout win Alexandro Santiago to claim the WBC bantamweight title. Nakatani’s transition to the bantamweight division proved seamless, as he showcased his power and precision.
His dominance continued on July 20, when he dispatched Vincent Astrolabio with a first-round knockout. Nakatani capped off his remarkable year on Oct. 14 with another stoppage of Petch Sor Chitpattana, cementing his status as one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world.
Anthony Olascuaga (7-1, 5 KOs), the WBO flyweight champion, also delivered an exceptional 2024 under Hernandez’s guidance. Olascuaga captured the WBO flyweight title on July 20 with a stunning knockout of Riku Kano. The victory marked a turning point in Olascuaga’s career, solidifying his place among the sport’s rising stars.
He followed that performance with another emphatic win on Oct. 14, earning a stoppage of Jonathan González due to a headbutt-induced injury. Despite the unconventional ending, Olascuaga’s dominance throughout the fight left no doubt about his superiority.
The combined output of Hernandez’s fighters in 2024 is staggering: Five title bouts, all ending in knockouts. This level of activity and success at the upper echelons of boxing is a testament to Hernandez’s expertise in preparing his fighters physically and mentally for the highest level of competition. Both Nakatani and Olascuaga demonstrated impeccable conditioning, tactical discipline, and finishing instincts — hallmarks of Hernandez’s training philosophy.
While Hernandez’s achievements stand out, the competition for Trainer of the Year was fierce. Don Charles had a phenomenal year with Daniel Dubois, who delivered a pair of headline-grabbing victories. On June 1, Dubois claimed the IBF heavyweight title with a knockout win over Filip Hrgović. He then shocked the world on Sept. 21 by knocking out two-time former champion Anthony Joshua to defend his title, cementing his place as a major force in the heavyweight division.
Sergey Lapin also deserves recognition for his work with Oleksandr Usyk. In 2024, Usyk achieved undisputed status in the heavyweight division with a decisive victory over Tyson Fury on May 18. Lapin’s guidance was instrumental in Usyk’s preparation, as he outclassed Fury in every facet of the fight. Usyk’s dominance continued in their Dec. 21 rematch, where he delivered an even more commanding performance to retain his titles and further solidify his legacy.
But despite the impressive accomplishments of Charles and Lapin, Hernandez’s year was unmatched.
Guiding two champions across multiple divisions to a flawless record in title fights, all by knockout, is a rare feat that sets Hernandez apart. His ability to elevate his fighters to the pinnacle of the sport while maintaining such a high standard of performance highlights why he is Uncrowned’s 2024 Trainer of the Year.
