Without a shadow of a doubt, the upper echelon is dominated by the three B's: Bivol, Beterbiev and Benavidez. Clear top dogs. However besides them, the division is stacked with ex champs and contenders. Plus a couple of promising up and comers, which sparked my interest to create such a thread. And therefore.... Who do you guys think is the best talent at the moment? The assessment should be based on their potential as the future of the division. And perhaps one of them could face some day one of the aforementioned Three B's. P.S. My criteria was for fighters who have had less than 15 fights. Someone like Albert Ramirez wasn't added, because he twenty or so, besides he is technically a ranked contender.
Ataev is the best LH prospect, he looks very, very good. You can see why he cleared up in the amateurs winning Gold medals. This content is protected
David Morrell Albert Ramirez Sharabutdin Ataev Denis Savitsky Daniel Lapin I think all of them are serious contenders for the era after Bivol / Beterbiev.
One you haven't listed I'm following is Conor Wallace. Just passed 15 fights and is ranked though. In terms of who you see being a force in the next generation hes the one I'm thinking about taking over when the three Bs and co are gone. Lawrence Kings another interesting one. Hes got almost 20 fights but is not ranked otherwise would meet the criteria of prospect.
Let's be honest this is the Russians division. The Russians are the dominant best at 175 and have been for a long time. I expect Khataev, Ataev, Izmailov, Sadoma to continue this.
I like Australian champ Kirra Ruston 8 and 0 (8 kayos). Fights an undefeated Turk on the Nikita Tszyu undercard next Wednesday night. Check him out.
That would be a great Australian domestic fight. A genuine 50/50, I reckon. Both have fought on No Limit shows so it could get made. The winner could definitely make it through to a world title shot. I don't think they faced each other in the amateurs but it would be our 2021 Olympian versus our 2023 IBA World Championships rep. Both undefeated as pros. Can't get much more evenly matched than that.
I can't vote because the poll is closed, but Umar Dzambekov appears to be a future champion. Imam Khataev was robbed against Morrell, he clearly won that fight.
