As 2024 comes to an end, BoxingScene looks at some of the most intriguing young boxers in the sport who tentatively could be labeled a prospect. These fighters have laid the groundwork to have an exciting and impactful 2025. This is the first in a three-part series.
Weight Class: Lightweight
Last Fight Result: UD8 Ricardo Quiroz, July 2024
Sheehy fought just twice in 2024, which is disappointing. He also had an issue on the scale that canceled his fight with Manuel Jaimes, but he is training beside Xander Zayas and has a deep amateur background. Sheehy needs to get going in 2025.
Weight Class: Junior featherweight
Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions
Last Fight Result: KO2 Garen Diagan, December 2024
Cabrera is a fighter who looks like if he develops the right way could fight for a belt. Completely untested, but the best raw prospect in the Golden Boy roster.
Weight Class: Junior welterweight
Last Fight Result: UD8 Yomar Alamo, September 2024
The 2021 U.S. Olympian hasn’t progressed as fast as many thought, but all the same, he is still someone to watch and should be in a 50-50 fight this year. Johnson has the tools and pedigree, he just hasn’t applied to the professional game.
Weight Class: Middleweight
Promoter: Matchroom Boxing
Last Fight Result: TKO1 Omar Nguale Ilunga, December 2024
Next Fight: January 31, against Derrick Osaze
Already a 10-round fighter in just 10 pro fights. Liddard is a promising middleweight in a division that needs talent. What most sticks out about Liddard is his composure. For a fighter this early in his career, he stays calm like an experienced contender.
Weight Class: Super middleweight
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions
Last Fight Result: TKO4 Mardoche Ilunga, November 2024
A fighter with star potential, but also someone who will have to evolve and not just look for the knockout when fighting crafty opponents. Lugo could go so many different ways as a professional, but given his success as an amateur, I am going to bet on him being good.
Weight Class: Middleweight
Last Fight Result: TKO8 Quilisto Madera, November 2024
Tucker has taken on a lot of tough opponents early in his career. He might have lost a fight, but it doesn’t discount his ability and willingness to test himself in the modern era. He started at welterweight and now is at middleweight. His journey has been anything but that of an average prospect.
Weight Class: Junior middleweight
Last Fight Result: KO2 Przemyslaw Runowski, September 2024
Next Fight: March 16, vs TBA
He sure is fun. He gets knockouts. UFC Head Honcho Dana White loves him, but we need to see him in a fight of the same level as Ismael Villarreal. That fight was tricky for Walsh and he hasn’t had a step up in competition since that fight.
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