As 2024 involves an finish, it’s time to check out a few of boxing’s most gifted and potential-packed up-and-comers. These prospects, whom BoxingScene ranks in accordance with our estimation of their present standing, have laid the groundwork for an thrilling and impactful 2025. Some, regardless of their lack of fights and inexperience within the professionals, have favorable world-rankings, however 2025 may very well be the yr they take that closing step to the highest.
Weight Class: Middleweight
Final Battle Outcome: KO3 Daniel Echeverria, August 2024
Jones’ exercise slowed in 2024, however he could be essentially the most fascinating free agent in 2025. He has the document to take marquee 10-round fights. Now it’s as much as him and his group to resolve the way to progress from this level on.
Final Battle Outcome: TKO4 Angel Gonzalez, December 2024
Rivera, a 2020 Olympian, is one thing particular. A technical fighter, who likes to placed on a present. It could not be stunning to see him win a title in his subsequent struggle, maybe earlier than the halfway level of 2025. Rivera is a marquee attraction in Puerto Rico and the decrease weight courses. By the top of 2025, he must be making a case for being among the finest within the division.
Weight Class: Middleweight
Final Battle Outcome: UD10 Tyler Howard, November 2024
Additionally an Olympian, Isley has put it along with coach Brian “BoMac” McIntyre. Isley weaponizes his means to maintain fighters at a distance whereas conserving a tempo that he controls effectively. Isley’s wins this yr now have him ranked No. 7 by the WBO and No. 11 by the WBC.
Weight Class: Junior welterweight
Final Battle Outcome: KO6 Romero Duno, August 2024
Subsequent Battle: February 21 vs Mark Bernaldez
It could be untimely to place Sandoval so excessive, however he appears worthy of the spot. He fought 3 times in 2024, not as typically as we’d have hoped. But his win over Javier Molina, a former U.S. Olympian, proved Sandoval is a high participant within the junior welterweight division.
Weight Class: Junior welterweight
Final Battle Outcome: RTD3 Hector Edgardo Sarmiento
Subsequent Battle: January 25 vs Jose Pedraza
Mercado gained BoxingScene’s 2023 Prospect of the Yr award and signed with Matchroom Boxing in September. He fought 3 times in 2024 and would have added a fourth in November if Jesus Saracho hadn’t missed weight, inflicting their bout to break down. He’ll as an alternative make his Matchroom debut towards former multi-weight titleholder Jose Pedraza in January.
Weight Class: Heavyweight
Final Battle Outcome: TKO1 Walter Burns, December 2024
Pero’s document won’t blow individuals away, as he went 5-0 with 5 KOs in 2024 over fighters most don’t know, however he’s struggling to seek out opponents. When Pero is matched up, he makes the bouts look uncompetitive. Pero is the word-of-mouth man of 2024. He’s transferring up the ranks, not simply due to the skilled fights, however due to the hype round him within the gymnasium as effectively.
Weight Class: Tremendous middleweight
Final Battle Outcome: KO5 Petro Ivanov, November 2024
Iglesias in all probability isn’t a prospect. He’s a top-10 tremendous middleweight. Iglesias knocked out two stable contenders in a single spherical: Marcelo Coceres and Evgeny Shvedenko. He additionally stopped Sena Agbeko in two rounds and Petro Ivanov in 5. These are all contenders or fringe contenders, and Iglesias did it with out seemingly breaking a sweat.
Weight Class: Light-weight
Final Battle Outcome: KO7 Antonio Moran, August 2024
Subsequent Battle: January 25 vs Omar Salcido
You can say Cruz isn’t a prospect both, as a result of he’s ok to struggle for a belt anytime. Prospect or not, his younger document makes him one of many 5 greatest rising fighters. Cruz fought twice this yr, which feels a bit unproductive at this level in his profession, however he is without doubt one of the greatest guys within the division.
Weight Class: Light-weight
Final Battle Outcome: KO2 Yohan Vazquez, November 2024
Subsequent Battle: February 14 vs Manuel Jaimes
Mason is one other nice expertise. He’s a light-weight energy puncher who attracts comparisons to the best boxers. The one motive he isn’t on the high spot is as a result of Yohan Vasquez dropped Mason twice in one of the thrilling rounds of the yr. Aside from that, there’s nothing dangerous to say about Mason.
Weight Class: Heavyweight
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions
Final Battle Outcome: TKO1 Demsey McKean, December 2024
Itauma isn’t even 20 and stays essentially the most promising prospect within the sport in the meanwhile. He simply stopped Demsey McKean in a single spherical, settling the prospect of the yr dialog with a bang. Now the controversy shall be about how briskly Itauma will transfer up in degree of competitors. He seems to be so good that he can struggle the large names, however do you danger him shedding and having to rebuild this early?
