Boxing is a sport that never stops evolving. While Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury currently hold all the world heavyweight titles, with Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua not far behind, there’s another layer to the cake. We’re talking about the undercard, the guys who are just a punch or two away from getting their title shots, who fans love to back at new betting sites UK when the big names aren’t fighting. So, who are these rising heavyweights? Here’s a look.
Filip Hrgović
The 31-year-old Croatian is an undefeated powerhouse, boasting a record of 16-0 with 13 knockouts. Currently holding the IBF #1 spot, he’s the mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk’s title. His recent wins include a unanimous decision over Zhilei Zang and a 12th-round knockout against Demsey McKean. Expect to see him in a title match soon.
Frank Sánchez
Hailing from Cuba, Sánchez is another undefeated boxer, sporting a 22-0 record with 15 KOs. The guy’s been on a hot streak, defeating the likes of Efe Ajagba, Christian Hammer, and Carlos Negrón. However, he’s still waiting for a title shot and has a lineup of other contenders ahead of him, like Hrgović and Zhang.
Jared Anderson
Known as ‘Big Baby,’ Anderson is an American boxer with a 16-0 record, 15 of which came by knockout. Although young, his potential isn’t without question marks. He did have a somewhat shaky performance against Charles Martin last July but has since improved his game.
Arslanbek Makhmudov
The Russian, based in Canada, is a big guy who hits hard. His record stands at 17-0, 16 KOs. Although he’s mostly been fighting gatekeepers, Makhmudov could be a force to reckon with when he steps up his game. However, putting him against current champs might be a bit too much, too soon.
Efe Ajagba
The Nigerian boxer has a record of 18-1 with 14 KOs. After a disappointing loss to Frank Sánchez, Ajagba bounced back, scoring a series of wins. He’s currently ranked at WBC #7 and could be a dark horse in the heavyweight scene.
Across the Pond
While this article focuses on international prospects, it’s worth mentioning that the UK has its own set of heavyweight hopefuls ready to shake things up. Names like Fabio Wardley, Solomon Dacres, and Johnny Fisher are already creating ripples in local circuits and have made it into the world rankings.
These fighters are currently just outside of the world’s top 20 but are making their way up. Wardley and Adeleye, for example, hold WBA and WBO rankings within the top 15. They represent another batch of boxers who could challenge the existing status quo, perhaps sooner rather than later.
The Next Punch
With the top champs and contenders preoccupied, the future of heavyweight boxing lies in the hands of these upcoming fighters. Their performance in the ring over the next couple of years will tell if they can add some much-needed excitement to the division. Given the lack of definitive bouts between current champions, there’s room for new faces to step up.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this new crop of boxers won’t make the same mistakes as their predecessors. They should aim to take the fights that the fans actually want to see, rather than dancing around each other. Keep an eye on these names; you won’t want to miss what comes next.
