To qualify for the list of prospects, you must be under the age of 35 ( sorry Joyce you are too old) and have not fought for a WBC/IBF/WBA/WBO title.
You must also be undefeated. Okay, everyone got it? I have seen each person at least once. My rankings are a mix of results to date pro potential and accomplishments. Almost everyone is a super heavyweight, some with good skills. The game has changed to big out fighters with long reaches and a lot of power.
1 ) Hrgovic ( Rated inside the top ten by ring magazine ). Age 30
He's big. 6'6'' had great reach 82" and weighs about 245 lbs. He can take a punch. In fact, he took some real zingers from guys who can hit in the amateurs and pro and didn't even have to clinch. Chins are best tested when they are hit by punchers, and how you react to it when hit tells you a lot. Good skills, good hand speed, and very good power. Good heart for battle too. Very accurate punching. A good body puncher too. He can in-fight and likes it. Fresh off his victory over Zhang who would beat most on this list. He was off in that fight. He is ready to graduate from this list as he's now the IBF mandatory. Very likely the next champion. I think he's beat Fury within a year and would TKO Wilder in short order, who has beaten nobody decent and fights a 38-year-old fighter next. A world title belt awaits. He needs to work on a few things though he is not a finished product yet.
2 ) Sanchez ( Rated inside the top ten by ring magazine ) Age 30
He's fast-handed and can fight well. Not a knock-out artist, though, his power is average. 6'4" with a 78" reach he's good enough these days, but the so-so chined Pero beat him three times is the amateurs so he's not an elite level boxer, rather he's is good one. Good on defense, which is semi rare for a heavyweight these days. I don't view his potential as a pro as good as the two fighters below him but I'm listing him here for now because he was fought some competition.
3 ) Bahkhodir Jalolov Age 28. 6'7" tall with an 81" reach. 250 pounds. Oh what potential! Jarolov is a big southpaw who uses a punishing left . His straight left is the best in the game. Top end power is perhaps the second best on the list, which says something. He moves extremely well on legs of steel. Not an in-fighter, though. But with his length, power, speed and skills he doesn't have to be. The type of fighter who uses his legs, height and reach for offense and defense. The gold medal winner of the recent Toyko Olympics is a grade A prospect, which is why I rate him 3rd. In a year, he can be the top prospect sometime in 2023.
4) Arslanbeck Makhmudov Age 33. 6'5" 1/2 " 80" reach 260 pounds. Makmudov is a scary-looking dude and a rare puncher. When he hits guys they are immediately hurt, and unable to clinch or move out the way for the most part. Such are the marks of a true puncher regardless of who he is facing. He's has the best power in the game. And he's intimidating. Skills are only okay. He owns a sick uppercut. His power is so great that he has more than just a puncher's chance. He 33 now, so he should be moved quickly.
5 ) Jarrell Miller. Age 34. 300+ pounds. The first Amerian on the list is already 34 and a two-time PED abuser. He's a big man, fat but can move, and has stamina. His power is only good. A rare in-fighter who can take it. A finished product, with suspensions hanging over him, he must watch his weight.
6) Agit Kabyel. Age 29. 6'3" tall, 235 pounds. Not that big ( by today's standards ) not the fastest, and not that strong, he's your perfect opponent for a title match because he a low risk type. His upside rated lower than most on the list on potential, but he more accomplished than most. Hence he ranks 6th for now. Other guys below him have more professional upside.
7 ) Justis Huni 6'4" 245 estimated reach 77" 245 pounds. Age 23 The World Olympic junior champion. This kid is not your typical limited Samon slugger. He is in fact, a good boxer with better-than-average power. He is quick and young. Skilled he can box. He is not likely to go beyond the top 4 due to his power level.
8 ) Vlad Sirenko Age 27 6'3 1/2" estimated reach 79"/ This good looking by a fighters standard has both fast hands and power. He stepped his competition lately and did just fine. In the amateurs, he was stopped twice, and he does not have a good chin. However, he can get favorable marketing based on his offense and good looks.
9 ) Jared Anderson Age 22 6'4" 1/2 " 78 1/2" reach/ 245 pounds The best American young heavyweight in years. He's big, skilled, and can punch. Being moved fairly quickly. The promoters are salivating over him. Unless I miss my guess, he's going somewhere. Lacks big time amatuertuer sucess. Reminds me a bit of Rid**** Bowe. I think he's the best American prospect in a long time. Look for him to move up the prospect list in a year.
10 ) Mark Petrovski Age 23 6'0 estimated reach 76". 215 pounds. The young Petrocki recently went pro ( 1-0 ) after winning the world super heavyweight amatuer championship. He's a little small for a heavyweight, about 6'0" 215 pounds, but he can fight. And he's got a good chin and heart. He's a has moving/unloading style when he gets inside. He's got quick and accurate hands. Not one to take a step back. He has the right style for his size, but I wonder about his upper potential as a pro vs. the best big men who are all skilled super heavyweights that feature natural height, range, and power these days.
11 ) Ivan Dyhcko Age 32 The very tall and mobile came in 2nd in the world amateurs before turning pro. Can really move and jab losing in the Olympics via margin to Joshua and losing while ahead in the finals of the world amatuer championships to puncher Maijdov, who was a puncher and a multiple world amateur champion that flamed out via TKO loss in the pros. Dyhcko doesn't have bad chin since it was the only time he was stopped b a top puncher. Not a big puncher though, he can move, and he has the reach, as he is tough to outbox. Somewhat comparable to Fury due to his 6'9" height and estimated 84" reach and mobility. Has promotional problems getting the fights he needs.
12 ) Viktor Vykhryst Age 6'6" 235 pounds 81" reach. Age 30. Vkyhryst is a big technical fighter who does everything well but lacks a dominating trait. Good Counter puncher. He was the European heavyweight champion as an amateur. Another super heavyweight who is skilled. Down recently in a fight, so he doesn't have a good chin.
13 ) Gudio Vanellio Age 27. 6'6" 79" reach, 240 pounds. The Italian definitely has fast hands and power. Yet he had trouble in a MD fight vs a nobody. Could lack toughness. When you watch him initially, you are impressed. Well see if he is as impressive when he moves up. I have some reservations about him.
14 ) Stephan Shaw 6'4, 81" reach 235 pounds. Age 32. Shaw is your run in the mill heavyweight prospect. He's not special in any area, though, and had a brief and mediocre amateur career. Not likey to go very far.
15 ) Fabio Wardley 6'5", estimated reach 80" 235 pounds. There aren't any UK based prospects who qualify as prospects these days. Wardley does. He had 14 fights, and can punch. But hes' raw and has no listed amateur fights. Could have used amateur seasoning.
Agree or disagree with the order you can re-arrange it ( mind my rules as stated above in bold type ). Comments in general are welcome as I don't know everything and you might have seen fights I have not.
Final thoughts:
The style of the smaller heavy heavyweight, without top-level power, has been forced out of professional heavyweight boxing. There just aren't any more 6'2" and under boxer types without at least good power as heavyweight prospects. Otherwise, you'd see them. I find just one Joe Frazier type, a swarming in-fighter with good footwork and movement, plus the stamina, chin, and heart necessary for the style, and he's very young. I listed him in the top 15 heavyweight prospects. The rest of the prospects, well most of them are super heavyweights over 6'3" tall and 225 pounds. Boxing sees a need for a new division, the Brider Weight. It's above cruiser weight divson ( 201 lbs ) and ends at 220 pounds. My natural reaction was negative, but the way things are going, it is needed and there might be a lot of good 201-220 pound fights. You certainly will not find many fighters between this range competing at this range in the modern heavyweight division. Otherwise the go for the fame and money given to a world title belt holders heavyweight.
Hotsauce91
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