As 2024 comes to an end, it’s time to take a look at some of boxing’s most talented and potential-packed up-and-comers. These prospects, whom BoxingScene ranks according to our estimation of their current status, have laid the groundwork for an exciting and impactful 2025.
This is the second in a three-part series.
Weight class: Heavyweight
Last fight result: TKO1 Volodymyr Katsuk, December 2024
Next fight: January 8 vs TBA
Think Australian George Foreman. That is Teremoana Jnr. We just have to find out if he can punch and set up shots like “Big George.” But Teremoana Jnr sure looks the part of an old-school heavyweight.
Weight class: Bantamweight
Last fight result: KO6 Aston Palicte, December 2024
Akitsugi has the potential to win a world title in 2025. He is that good. A hidden gem who spent a lot of time on the shelf, he is now staying busy on ProBox TV, where he has notched two straight knockout victories.
Weight class: Lightweight
Last fight result: UD12 Ryan Walsh, December 2024
Noakes could very well find himself in title contention next year, but he has flown under the radar. A real puncher whose one-sided December win over Ryan Walsh further proved he is always worth watching.
Weight class: Welterweight
Last fight result: TKO6 Marcelino Lopez, September 2024
Polanco gets little praise, and it might be that he fought three times on the undercard of Top Rank shows. But he is a highly skilled puncher who is building a very solid résumé. Now fighting at welterweight, Polanco has put on the performances of a top-10 prospect but has so far had a limited impact.
Weight class: Junior welterweight
Last fight result: TKO1 Marlin Sims, November 2024
Lopez is a blue-chip prospect who lacks an amateur pedigree because he took an extended period off before turning pro. Trained by his father, Kris Lopez, in Oakland, California, Lopez is nevertheless a big puncher with a lot of skills. He should rate as a top-10 prospect by this time next year.
Weight class: Welterweight
Last fight result: TKO1 Xavier Madrid, November 2024
Jose Ramirez 2.0. A volume puncher with a lot of cerebral traits, Iriarte makes for a fan-friendly fighter from Central California. Now add to the mix that he is staying active (five fights in 2024), and we might have the next fighter who can fill the void for Golden Boy.
Weight class: Welterweight
Last fight result: TKO1 Hilario Martinez Moreno, October 2024
The only question we have about Moton so far is which weight class he’ll settle into. An 18-year-old fighter co-signed by Floyd Mayweather is noteworthy. He should be a top-10 prospect by next year.
12. Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez
Weight class: Featherweight
Last fight result: UD8 Gerardo Antonio Perez, December 2024
Gonzalez, who has the talent and the charisma to go with it, will be the next breakout star from Robert Garcia’s Boxing Academy. Currently with Top Rank, he should get a push toward the top of the promotion’s cards in 2025.
Weight class: Junior bantamweight
Last fight result: TKO2 Gabriel Bernardi Cruz, December 2024
If Navarro fought in the heavier weights, he would already be a big name. The fact that he is already drawing so much attention at junior bantamweight tells you how special he is. Navarro is meriting the early-career excitement of Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, though that might be an unfair comparison to make.
Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.
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