I'm going to say Isaac Chamberlain aswell. He's done well to get some good wins since his loss against Okolie.
Cordina / Barrett, Buatsi, Rhiakpohre and Parker should all challenge for World Titles next year. Felix Cash is one to look out for, he destroyed Denzel Bentley in his previous fight. In terms of fighters who have had fewer fights, Adam Azim, Hopey Price, Cyrus Pattinson and Caroline Dubois are ones to look out for. Ben Whittaker will also make his debut next year. He’s signed with 258 Mgt and big things are expected from him.
What happened with Shabaz? There was loads of hype around him from QP, then he never boxed for them again
The problem is Frank had/has a lot of MTK fighters, now they’ve got their own platform many will be sent back over there.
Super impressed with Dalton Smith Hope to see a lot more of him in 2022. I think he could be one who goes all the way.
Long term Pat McCormack, but he has not even had his pro debut yet so that is really looking into the future. Short-mid term: Buatsi-Cash-Cordina are for me the three most talented, established fighters who are capable of winning a world title in the next 12-18 months. Obviously they first have to fight for one and that's exactly the problem, and one of the things we get so badly wrong in this country which frustrated me so much. When a fighter has top amateur experience and is clearly a top talent, he does not not need 4-5 years of fighting journeymen and undersized 37 year old's dragged up 1-2 divisions before he's ready to compete at the top level. Promoters are wasting very good fighters best years with a ridiculously cautious approach, which in the long term harms and shortens their career. There is a ceiling, and believe me it's not a very high one to what you can learn from fighting people who are vastly inferior to you... The three fighters I just named are perfect, prime examples of that. Buatsi especially- his level of opposition has generally been a disgrace. Buatsi and Felix Cash are 29 in March, Joe Cordina is 30!!! It's almost laughable we are listing them as prospects, but at the same time understandable as none of them has yet been given the chance to prove they can win a world title. The problem is if/when you fight for a world title at close to 30, if you lose (and undeniably there is a good chance you won't come out on top at the highest level), you are left with precious little time to rebuild. Your 30, bodies changing and slowing down, have to make weight and build your self back up the rankings. You may get another shot, but all it takes is injuries and some bad luck and your career is if not over, close to over by your early 30's. I know there are some reasons and mitigating circumstances as to why the three names I listed have not got their shot yet which I don't want to derail the thread with, but even so, promoters generally need to move top fighters, much much quicker. It's something that has to change if we want to see more fighters realise their potential.
I understand they’re not young but none of them have fought on world level yet or for a world title. Its hard naming prospects as the two best are probably McGrail and McCormack - I’d be super shocked if these done anything but went 2/3/4/5/6-0 against journeymen for the year.
I'd probably put them above prospect level, pretty much contenders now or at least in between the 2 lol Athletes are having longer careers these days, could be the money, could be sports science improvements. In Boxing if the guys at the top are lasting longer then obviously there is less room to progress lol. 29-30 year old prospects that are just starting to be contenders is probably the new normal
