CST80's Picks For Best Heavyweight Prospects/Fringe World Contenders To Watch.

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CST80 I just can’t agree with Joshua Edward’s, his low hand style lack of defence all scream red flags to me now maybe he will tighten up on some areas as he progresses but he looks reckless and backing up in straight lines relying on his athleticism but that just won’t work when he’s facing someone taller and with longer reach

 

I would personally like to say that Joshua Edwards (who I tapped as a potential future American standardbearer) thus far...........................he hasn't looked good in my eyes.

 

You might as well stop picking Eastern Europeans and Central Asians. None of them will get an opportunity to accomplish anything.

 

Once Surov wins a gold medal at the olympics he will be moved quickly through the ranks. He is one of the most talented super heavyweight amateurs I've ever seen. His shuttle and lateral movement is top notch.

He's still pretty raw but he's only 20. He's got more than enough time

 

@CST80 Have you seen anything on Yoandry Rodriguez? He's a 19 year old 6'7 280 lb Cuban heavyweight. I only mention him because he stopped 100+ fight veteran Terrell Jamal Woods in 1 round and Woods hasnt been stopped in like 9 years and that was by Big Bang Zhang.

Guy could totally suck, but that quick KO and his size/age put him on my "maybe or interest" radar. Can't find any film of him though

 

The Uzbek school of boxing is truly something; their medal haul in the Olympics, particularly in 2016 and 2024, showcases just how gifted their fighters are. Out of the clips you posted, I like the look of Jallonov, but he tested positive for performance enhancers, didn't he? Ali Feliz looks like he has a great fluid style, but I can't really see past Itauma at the moment. That kid has everything and looks like he's in second gear.

Surov looks really good, too, but he's still very raw. I think he's tailor-made for someone like Itauma at the moment with his aggressive style and lunging hooks, but his movement, speed and general ring IQ look impressive.

 

They've been fantastic in the amateurs since around 2016, no doubt about it.

But they've mostly been a disappointment/failure in the pros thus far. Zero current world champions. Fighters like Bektemir Melikuziev, Shohjahon Ergashev, Fazliddin Gaibnazarov, Elnur Abduraimov, etc were tipped for big things but are flops.

 

It's just missing your poetic titles with the fighters nickname and the short bio.

 

Good to have Jakhongir Zokirov in there.

 

What the verdict on Gurgen? I watched his early fights and he seemed to be cruising through them ... then he went inactive and came back seeming to expect to keep doing things easy. I watched the Mailata fight who was tough and came to win, and Gurgen only just came through that one. To his credit he did hang in there when the going got tough (cue Billy Ocean background music).