No two journeys in professional boxing are the same. Some fighters receive their opportunities when they’re very young, while others must wait several years for a chance to break free of the pack.
Take Wilfred Benitez as an example. Benitez was a precocious young boxing master from Puerto Rico, who is widely regarded as one of the best defensive fighters of all time. In March 1976, Benitez outpointed the legendary Antonio Cervantes to capture the WBC super lightweight title. He was just 17 years old, which remains a record for the youngest world champion in boxing history.
Meanwhile, Bernard Hopkins was imprisoned at age 17 and served five years for armed robbery. Upon his release, he dedicated himself to boxing to the point of obsession and would eventually capture the vacant IBF middleweight crown at the expense of Segundo Mercado. Thirty years old at that time, Hopkins wouldn’t reach the pinnacle of the sport until he defeated the great Felix Trinidad at the age of 36.
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Both Benitez and Hopkins are history makers and are widely regarded as two of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport. However, Benitez’s career at the top level was over by the time he’d reached his mid-20s, whereas Hopkins won his final world title by defeating Tavoris Cloud for the IBF light heavyweight crown at the age of 48.
Today’s generation of fighters will also have vastly different career paths. While the likes of Bam Rodriguez, Brian Norman Jr., Angel Ayala and Gabriella Fundora have already fulfilled a dream of becoming world champions before the age of 25, there are a plethora of exciting young prospects like Abdullah Mason, Floyd Schofield and Moses Itauma in hot pursuit of glory.
This list of 25 Under 25 in boxing is a mixture of champions, top contenders and rising stars. The respective rating of each fighter can be based on current achievements but also future potential and career ceiling are taken into account. Finding a balance for this is difficult but we’ve made an earnest attempt.
The Sporting News looks at the best of boxing’s 25 under 25 in 2024.
*Fighter must be under 25 as of August 24.
25. Emiliano Vargas
- Age: 20
- Current Weight Class: Lightweight
- Record: 11-0 (9 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: June 2024 vs. Jose Zaragoza (TKO 1)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Vargas is quick, explosive, extremely talented, and if that’s not enough, he has Fernando Vargas’ blood in his veins. The youngest son of the fiery and gifted former two-time super welterweight champ has adapted well to the professional ranks under his father’s tutelage. It didn’t take long for Vargas to be noticed, with Top Rank signing him to a multi-year promotional contract and they’re keeping him busy. He has all the tools including the ability to switch hit and the requisite killer instinct. From what we’ve witnessed, you won’t see the best of this young fighter until the quality of the opposition improves.
24. Amari Jones
- Age: 22
- Current Weight Class: Super Welterweight
- Record: 12-0 (11 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: April 2024 vs. Armel Mbumba Yassa (TKO 6)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Jones is a hard-hitting 154-pounder who is coming on at a nice pace. A stablemate of former two-weight world champion Devin Haney, Jones has learned just as much in the Top Rank gym in Las Vegas as he has in his 12 fights as a professional. He’s powerful, versatile, and puts his punches together very well. The Oakland-born boxer-puncher has been showcased on Haney’s past two fight cards and is building a substantial fan base. We’ll see a step up in opposition next year and then we’ll be more qualified to predict his ceiling in the sport. Thus far, he’s doing everything right.
23. Jose Angel Gabriel Rosa
- Age: 24
- Current Weight Class: Super Lightweight
- Record: 26-0 (19 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: June 2024 vs. Juan Ramon Guzman (KO 1)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Rosa’s record is somewhat padded, and he’s had the comfort of fighting exclusively at home in Argentina. However, regardless of the competition, scoring 19 KOs in 26 straight wins is impressive. A super-busy southpaw, Rosa only turned professional in January 2021, but his team is keeping him very active. He’s not had everything his own way, having been forced to dig deep in points wins over Juan Hernan Leal and Leandro Ariel Fonseca, but he’s come through to prevail and learned along the way. While Rosa is heavy-handed, he’s also a touch crude, so he’ll need to shorten his punches and focus on defense.
22. Jhon Orobio
- Age: 21
- Current Weight Class: Lightweight
- Record: 10-0 (9 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: June 2024 vs. Jose de Leon Jasso (TKO 2)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Super-talented lightweights are growing on trees these days and Orobio is another one. The Canada-based Colombian is a confident and adept boxer-puncher with a ton of skills. His offense is set up by an educated left jab, which he switches well from head to body. Despite how well-balanced and technically astute he is, Orobio can also punch his weight and he’s hurting the opposition during the embryonic stages of his professional career. There’s a sense with Orobio that he’s very much for real and this should be a fun journey. He’s boxed almost exclusively in Montreal, so we need to see him travel and test himself against better opposition.
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21. Callum Walsh
- Age: 23
- Current Weight Class: Super welterweight
- Record: 11-0 (9 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: Aug. 2023 vs. Juan Jose Velasco (TKO 4)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Walsh is personable, fun-loving, confident… and he can fight. The Los Angeles-based Irishman is coached by acclaimed trainer Freddie Roach and promoter by Tom Loeffler. It seems like he’s been around forever as a prospect, but there’s no rush. At 23 years of age, Walsh is getting better with each fight and he has all the tools. A six-time Irish champion and a European gold medalist as an amateur, it’s not a question of if Walsh reaches the big time, but when. His first step up in class saw him take on the 24-4 Juan Jose Velasco, who was battered and taken out of the fight in four rounds.
20. Hopey Price
- Age: 24
- Current Weight Class: Featherweight
- Record: 12-0 (5 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: Oct. 2023 vs. Connor Coghill (TKO 12)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Price has shown real promise since turning professional in 2019. That’s no surprise given how the Leeds-based lefty claimed Junior World Championship gold as an amateur. The Dave Coldwell-trained fighter is quick, skilled and agile, with his final-round stoppage win over Coghill ample proof of Price’s fighting heart. The bad news is that a serious hand injury forced surgical intervention which led to the postponement of a British title shot against Scotsman Nathaniel Collins. Hopefully, that fight can be rescheduled for later this year because it’s time for Price to be let off the leash.
19. Dennis McCann
- Age: 23
- Current Weight Class: Super Bantamweight
- Record: 16-0-1 (8 KOs)
- Titles Held: British, Commonwealth and European
- Signature Performance: July 2024 vs. Ionut Baluta (UD 12)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? McCann comes from a fighting family and is as relaxed inside the ring as he is outside of it. Trained by acclaimed British coach Joe McNally, this quick-fisted and elusive southpaw has had a flagship 2024, adding British and European championships to the Commonwealth crown he won two years ago. The only blemish on his record is a draw with Ionut Baluta, which was put right in the rematch via unanimous decision. There’s only one direction for McCann to travel now and that’s on to world level. He’s in a division replete with elite-level talent, but his footspeed and ring IQ will cause problems for almost anyone at 122 pounds.
18. Jared Anderson
- Age: 24
- Current Weight Class: Heavyweight
- Record: 17-1 (15 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: July 2023 vs. Charles Martin (UD 10)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? It was all going so well… until it wasn’t. Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson was hailed as the heir apparent to Deontay Wilder, who had carried heavyweight boxing in America for the best part of a decade. However, the warning signs were out in July of last year when fringe contender Charles Martin rocked Anderson’s world with a left hand in the closing seconds of a 10-round non-title fight. Anderson won but questions arose over his durability. Just over a year later, colossal heavyweight force Martin Bakole hurt Anderson and didn’t let him off the hook in securing a fifth-round stoppage. While he still has enormous potential, Anderson will have to show serious character to turn his career around.
17. Ginjiro Shigeoka
- Age: 24
- Current Weight Class: Minimumweight
- Record: 11-1 (9KOs)
- Titles Held: Former IBF minimumweight
- Signature Performance: October 2023 vs. Daniel Valladares (TKO 5)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? It’s been a rough 2024 for the Shigeoka brothers. Older brother Yudai lost his WBC minimumweight title by a close split decision to Melvin Jerusalem in March, which was a real surprise. However, the bigger shock was then IBF-champ Ginjiro being dominated to a ninth-round stoppage defeat at the hands of Pedro Taduran in July. Ginjiro, who was tipped by many to be the next big thing out of Japan, sustained a serious orbital bone injury in the fight that required surgery. If he can recover fully and learn from this setback, then this young star is more than capable of regaining past glories.
16. Angel Ayala
- Age: 24
- Current Weight Class: Flyweight
- Record: 18-0 (8 KOs)
- Titles Held: Reigning IBF flyweight
- Signature Performance: August 2024 vs. Dave Apolinario (KO 6)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Mexico’s Ayala would be higher on the list had it not been for a bumpy road to the championship he now holds. In October, former light flyweight king Felix Alvarado decked the unbeaten Ayala in the opening round and appeared to have narrowly outpointed him at the end of 12 rounds. However, following a ring announcer’s blunder that declared Alvarado the winner, the result was changed to a UD 12 win for Ayala. That fight was a title eliminator and Ayala took advantage of his good fortune by blasting out Dave Apolinario in six rounds to win the title in his next fight. Despite the bit of luck he’s had, Ayala’s potential is still vast.
15. Elijah Garcia
- Age: 21
- Current Weight Class: Middleweight
- Record: 16-1 (13 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: March 2024 vs. Amilcar Vidal Jr. (KO 4)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Arizona-born southpaw Elijah Garcia was heading toward a world title fight when his progress was derailed by heavy pre-fight underdog Kyrone Davis in June. It was a moment that could make or break the 21-year-old who was coming on strong in the late rounds but ran out of time and dropped a unanimous decision. A former amateur standout, Garcia has all the time in the world to rekindle his world title ambitions. A rematch with Davis might work, or his brain trust might go in another direction. Either way, one would expect to hear more from this powerful lefty, though it’s clear that he needs to tighten up his offense and be mindful of what’s coming back at him.
14. Jadier Herrera
- Age: 21
- Current Weight Class: Super Featherweight
- Record: 15-0 (13 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: June 2024 vs. Andres Navarrete (TKO 1)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Cuban star Jadier Herrera is a multi-talented southpaw who many are predicting will be a major force at the world level. News of this young fighter’s rise spread from his home in Dubai to British promoter Frank Warren, who signed him earlier this year. Eager to test the waters with their new charge, Queensberry Promotions had Herrera debut on the Conor Quinn-Conner Kelsall card in Belfast and he didn’t disappoint. Opponent Andres Navarette, who had only lost once in 12 fights, was knocked out cold on his feet by a massive left hand to the jaw, forcing the referee to wave the fight over immediately. There’s plenty of excitement surrounding Herrera and it’s warranted.
13. Adam Azim
- Age: 22
- Current Weight Class: Super lightweight
- Record: 11-0 (8 KOs)
- Titles Held: Reigning European super lightweight
- Signature Performance: Nov. 2023 vs. Franck Petitjean (TKO 10)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? One of the main faces of the BOXXER promotional company in the UK, Azim has been an electrifying talent since he turned over in 2020. A standout amateur, the lightning-quick phenom from Slough, England, trains under the tutelage of Shane McGuigan and has been fast-tracked to title success. In November, Azim picked up the European championship at the expense of Franck Petitjean and he was impressive in doing so. A matchup against red-hot British rival Dalton Smith, who has proactively chased the fight, has failed to materialize and that’s been disappointing. Hopefully, the pair can duke it out for a world title down the road.
12. Floyd Schofield
- Age: 21
- Current Weight Class: Lightweight
- Record: 17-0 (12 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: Dec. 2023 vs. Ricardo Lopez Torres (TKO 1)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Talented, ambitious, and powerfully built, Schofield looks like he’ll be a mainstay among the lightweight elite in the not-too-distant future. Initially inspired to compete in the U.S. Olympic team, Schofield ran out of patience with the amateur scene, turned professional and eventually signed with Golden Boy Promotions. Those fans who enjoy their crystal ball moments see Schofield mixing with fellow lightweight star Abdullah Mason down the road. With the skills and hitting power that both men have displayed to this point, we could be looking at a memorable rivalry developing when they eventually cross swords. Schofield, known as “Kid Austin,” is one to keep an eye on.
11. Marc Castro
- Age: 24
- Current Weight Class: Super featherweight
- Record: 13-0 (8 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: July 2024 vs. George Acosta (TD 7)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Castro has taken a step up in class in 2024 and maintained his career trajectory. Aggressive, heavy-handed, and exciting, the Fresno, California, native is still on a learning curve and his defenses can be a bit leaky. However, he has time to fix those flaws, and his attributes are obvious. Castro is explosive, he has impressive punch variety and makes a real target of the body. He’s also adept at cutting down the ring and picking his moments to unload. A few tweaks over the next twelve to eighteen months and you could see Castro contest a world title fight.
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10. Caroline Dubois
- Age: 23
- Current Weight Class: Lightweight
- Record: 10-0 (5 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: Sept. 2023 vs. Magali Rodriguez (UD 10)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? “Sweet” was the obvious ring moniker handed down to Dubois when she turned professional in 2022. More importantly, however, is that the London-born lefty’s talent is also obvious. The younger sister of IBF heavyweight champ Daniel Dubois is part of the new generation that came through Team GB, and she has star potential. Despite failing to medal at Tokyo 2020, Dubois had a distinguished amateur career and won Youth Olympic gold in 2018. She’s still to contest a world title fight but picked up the lightly regarded IBO version last September. Her biggest nights lie ahead of her, and she has time on her side.
9. Gabriela Fundora
- Age: 22
- Current Weight Class: Flyweight
- Record: 14-0 (6 KOs)
- Titles Held: Reigning IBF flyweight
- Signature Performance: Oct. 2023 vs. Arely Mucino (KO 5)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? It’s a family affair for Gabriela, who is the younger sister of WBO and WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora. Nicknamed “Sweet Poison,” this sharpshooting and aggressive lefty won her world title in October at the expense of Arely Mucino and has looked scintillating in two subsequent defenses. In her most recent bout, Fundora came close to a stoppage win over Daniela Asenjo on the Ortiz-Bohachuk undercard but settled for a 10-round shoutout decision. If she stays focused, then a place on boxing’s pound-for-pound list is well within her grasp. Both Fundoras are trained by their father, Freddy, at the Lee Espinoza Coachella Valley Boxing Club.
8. Ernesto Mercado
- Age: 22
- Current Weight Class: Super lightweight
- Record: 16-0 (15 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: Nov. 2023 vs. Jeremia Nakathila (KO 2)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? If you’re nicknamed “Tito,” then you better be able to fight, and Mercado is more than capable. Residing in Pomona, the same California city that produced Sugar Shane Mosley, Mercado has a bit of everything. As his knockout ratio (94%) suggests, he can punch, he has a pulverizing body attack, and if an opponent attacks him recklessly, then he’s lethal on the counter. Mercado hasn’t broken through to the mainstream yet, but if he can take his talents to the next level, then he’s sure to develop a significant fan following. Exciting, talented and powerful, this kid is made for television.
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7. Moses Itauma
- Age: 19
- Current Weight Class: Heavyweight
- Record: 10-0 (8 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: July 2024 vs. Mariusz Wach (TKO 2)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? As is the case with many of the fighters on this list, their respective positions come down to potential. With that being the case, the 19-year-old Itauma could be even higher. A gold medalist at school and youth level, the Slovakia-born Englishman has sent shockwaves through boxing’s glamour division since turning professional. Six of his ten wins have come via first-round knockout and his southpaw skills and speed are astonishing. The goal right now is for Itama to break the record for youngest heavyweight champion of all time, which is currently held by Mike Tyson, who achieved the feat at 20 years, four months, and 22 days. That gives Itauma until May 19, 2025. Realistic? Probably not, but this is a special fighter.
6. Jesus Ramos
- Age: 23
- Current Weight Class: Super welterweight
- Record: 21-1 (17 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: Sept. 2021 vs. Brian Mendoza (UD 10)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Even though Ramos dropped a controversial decision to Erickson Lubin on the Canelo-Charlo undercard last September, he still has an extremely high ceiling. Many boxing insiders had the Arizona-born lefty outpointing Lubin in that fight, so his confidence will be intact, and the experience will serve as a useful learning curve. Eager to get back in the win column, Ramos bounced back with a ninth-round stoppage of Johan Gonzalez on the Canelo-Munguia undercard in May. He’s rated within the top 10 of three sanctioning bodies at 154 pounds, and while it might be a touch early for a world title fight, Ramos is getting close.
5. Diego Pacheco
- Age: 23
- Current Weight Class: Super middleweight
- Record: 21-0 (17 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: Nov. 2023 vs. Marcelo Coceres (KO 9)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? He’s a 6-4 super middleweight who can punch and loves to fight. What more do you need? Pacheco was signed by Matchroom Boxing and has appeared on several high-profile cards in the U.S., Mexico, and the U.K. Up until his hard-fought decision win over Shawn McCalman, the Los Angeles-born contender was on an 11-fight knockout streak, which is evidence of his hitting power. Right now, as is the case with any world-class fighter weighing 168 pounds, Pacheco is in a holding pattern while Canelo, who holds three of four sanctioning organization titles, goes through the super middleweight options. Consequently, it might take a while for him to reach a title fight.
4. Xander Zayas
- Age: 21
- Current Weight Class: Super welterweight
- Record: 19-0 (12 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: June 2024 vs. Patrick Teixeira
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Zayas has style and substance in the ring that belies his years. The Puerto Rican star is an economical sharpshooter who rarely wastes a punch and slips effortlessly into the second and third phases of attack. Managed with understandable caution by Top Rank after turning professional at 17, Zayas is now beginning to go up the levels in terms of opposition. A champion in waiting, his 10-round whitewash of former world titleholder Patrick Teixeira was a brilliant demonstration of his talents. Next up for Zayas is Damian Sosa on the Sandy Ryan vs. Mikaela Mayer undercard in New York on Sept. 27.
3. Abdullah Mason
- Age: 20
- Current Weight Class: Lightweight
- Record: 14-0 (12 KOs)
- Titles Held: N/A
- Signature Performance: July 2024 vs. Luis Lebron (TKO 3)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? Arguably the most talented and exciting prospect in the sport, Mason has the boxing world buzzing. This Cleveland-based southpaw turned professional under the Top Rank umbrella after establishing himself as one of the finest U.S. amateurs in the world. Fully aware that it’s not only about winning but how you win, Mason has been red-hot during the embryonic stages of his professional career. Even in the two distance fights he’s had, his performances have been spectacular, and he has the look of a superstar. His right jab is so accurate and sets up a multi-faceted offense that immediately puts opponents on the defense. The fact that Mason can also punch extremely hard means that we’re unlikely to see the entire toolbox until he faces the elite.
2. Brian Norman Jr.
- Age: 23
- Current Weight Class: Welterweight
- Record: 26-0 (20 KOs)
- Titles Held: Reigning WBO welterweight
- Signature Performance: May 2024 vs. Giovani Santillan (KO 10)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? A powerful and stocky welterweight in the physical mold of former champion Shawn Porter, Norman burst onto the world scene with a brutal and damaging 10th-round knockout of the previously unbeaten Giovani Santillan in May. Having won the interim WBO title in that fight, Norman has since been upgraded to full champion after Terence Crawford relinquished the title. It’s easy to be impressed by the new champion’s strength and punching power, but Norman is also technically astute and has a high ring IQ. Despite punching Santillan to a standstill, he also counter-punched brilliantly in that fight and outclassed a world-class operator. Some big fights are in the offing for boxing’s latest welterweight champion, and he has a bright future ahead of him.
1. Bam Rodriguez
- Age: 24
- Current Weight Class: Super Flyweight
- Record: 20-0 (13 KOs)
- Titles: Former IBF/WBO flyweight, reigning WBC/Ring super flyweight
- Signature Performance: June 2024 vs. Juan Francisco Estrada (KO 7)
Expectations and why are they on the 2024 list? As was the case with Sugar Ray Leonard in the 1980s and Oscar De La Hoya in the 1990s, Bam Rodriguez believes in securing legacy-defining fights when he’s in his absolute prime. Just 24 years old, Bam has already unified at flyweight, won two titles at super flyweight, claimed a Ring Magazine championship, and crashed any pound-for-pound list worth reading. Signature wins have come against Carlos Cuadras, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, Sunny Edwards, and legendary Mexican champion Juan Francisco Estrada. Against Estrada, Bam was floored for the first time in his career in the sixth and responded by knocking out the brilliant veteran in the very next round. Trained by Robert Garcia, the amiable Texan is getting better with every fight, and he is an outstanding ambassador for the sport.
