Top 10 Boxing Prospects To Watch Out For

When assessing a prospect, it is crucial to forget about their age, how many defeats they had on their ledger and how many knockouts. Taking these variables into account, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Boxing Prospects to watch out for in the coming years.

1. Carlos Velasquez: Featherweight

Carlos, like most fighters from Puerto Rico and Cuba, has a long amateur career, winning many major titles–including the gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean games in 2006.

Carlos convincingly defeated the Cuban Superstar Yuriorkis Gamboa and won the gold medal at the games in 2006. As one would expect, the win did more than just show the Puerto Rican boxing community that he is no one-hit wonder. He underscored his success from 2006 by trouncing the Dominican Republic fighter Ronald de la Rosa–the outcome of this bout made Carlos a true contender. However, out of the last 12 bouts, which he won consecutively, his most impressive win came against Ira Terry. Fans, promoters and everyone in between witnessed what Carlos could do.

2. Daniel Jacobs: Middleweight

Daniel, a diamond in the rough, has not only been named on ESPN several times, but he also is seeing the success that Riddick Bowe saw. Fighting-wise, Daniel possesses ferocious power and can deliver punishing knockouts like Mike Tyson. He is blessed with many skills, making him a well-rounded fighter.

Currently, Daniel is signed to a lucrative promotional contract with Goldenboy Promotions. Oscar De La Hoya, the owner of Goldenboy Promotions, is convinced that Daniel can be the next “big thing,” seeing that he is on the road to becoming a complete fighter. Daniel stays busy in the ring and shows no fear.

3. Erislandy Lara: Middleweight

Since becoming a professional, Lara has performed well in every fight. He has beaten big names like Grady Brewer and the veteran Danny Perez, and without an ounce of nervousness, he remains comfortable in the ring.

Lara hits opponents with his unbelievable jab combinations and swift moves. One of his signature moves is a long snapping jab, which he uses to gauge distance quite often. Ultimately, Lara is a wonderful fighter who packs a mean punch, with a lot of speed and precision. He has what it takes to be a dominant force that is reckoned with for years to come.

4. Guillermo Rigondeaux: Super Bantamweight

Guillermo wasted little time with transitioning from the amateur ranks, and with his amateur background and training, Guillermo can only go as far as his hard hands and quick feet will take him.

Guillermo certainly does not lack versatility in his skill set. With his excellent power and technical ability, it was not long before the Cuban started to receive many offers from trainers, but he stuck with Freddy. On a scale, Guillermo rates incredibly high. His progression has been steady, so it is not a stretch to say he is perhaps the most complete fighter to watch.

5. Matvey Korobov: Middleweight

Matvey presence in the ring warrants much excitement. He is a strong southpaw middleweight who punches with immense power, good speed and remarkable patience. Matvey learned his craft, like many others, throughout an illustrious amateur career.

What is more, he has won just about everything except for the gold medal in the Olympics, and for a good while, he was Russia’s best prospect.

Although his professional experience is quite limited, he has what it takes to trounce the divisions’ champions–including the likes of Arthur Abraham and Kelly Pavlik.

6. Nathan Cleverly: Light Heavyweight

Nathan clearly takes a liking to the old-school method of winning titles, seeing that he has set out to walk over the domestic scene completely before transitioning to the European stage.

Nathan trained for some years in the Newbridge Gym like King Joe Calzaghe, Enzo Maccarinelli and Gavin Rees. He learned his craft, alongside these fighters, and then moved back to his hometown to train with his father.

While some people considered the move to be a bad decision, Nathan stuck with his choice, knowing his father would tend to him as he wanted. He was right!

7. Omar Henry: Light Middleweight

This Houston native is indeed a phenomenal fighter who has trampled over opponents like a bobcat pouncing on its prey. Blessed with both power and technical ability, Henry has made it easy for everyone to see why he can be compared to the former world champion Miguel Cotto.

The Top Rank Promotions also believed this young fighter had true potential and signed him to a lavish contract. The reason was clear: With Omar on board, the future was open for change, meaning Henry controlled his own destiny as well as the fate of Top Rank Promotions to some degree.

8. Roberto Marroquin: Super Bantamweight

A joy to watch is Roberto. The Texas native is a tall fighter who takes pride in his hand speed and amateur background. The team behind Roberto is legit, so it is only a matter of time before he makes it to the top of the 122 Ibs division.

Roberto’s skill set is now renowned largely because he somewhat manhandled Samuel Sanchez. Top Rank’s vice president voiced his opinion of the young star by comparing him to a young Oscar De La Hoya. Bruce Trampler said, “He is a kid who can really box and take hits.”

9. Saul Alvarez: Welterweight

With his freckled face and peculiar look, it is easy to question if the fighter is indeed a Mexican, but such doubts can be put to rest by checking out the fighter’s bouts.

Ever since he became a professional at the age of fifteen, Saul has held his own in the ring. Aside from looking formidable, he literally has what it takes to destroy opponents. With unheard-of accuracy, speed and power, the Mexican warrior is not going anywhere.

10. Vanes Martirosyan: Light Middleweight

Vanes, along with half of the boxing community, is waiting impatiently to get the exposure his skill set merits. Such exposure is around the corner due to the big win he got over Kassim Ouma.

Having said that, Vanes is too much of an exciting fighter to be contained or overlooked. He has an aggressive style and mistakes are not something he is prone to make–his boxing background makes this claim pretty evident.

Evan Danson has been a boxing fan for over 40 years. Whether he’s in the gym hitting his assortment of Ringside boxing bags or just watching a good fight on TV, boxing is his ultimate joy.