OUR PREDICTED BRITISH POUND-FOR-POUND TOP 10 IN 2030
It’s been a four-year period to remember for British boxing since the turn of the decade and with some future stars already showcasing their potential, the 2030s are poised to be even bigger and even better.
In this article, we’ve predicted what the British pound-for-pound top 10 could look like this time in six years.
1. Moses Itauma (Heavyweight)
Undoubtedly the most talked about heavyweight prospect in British boxing, Itauma turned professional off the back of becoming the Youth World Champion following four straightforward victories in Spain.
A tricky southpaw who has the hand speed and footwork of a middleweight, combined with the punch power of an established heavyweight, this kid is the real deal.
With the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk all set to retire from boxing in the coming years, the heavyweight division is going to be wide open for someone to come along and make it their own. At the age of 19, this young man could well dominate it for years to come.
2. Ben Whittaker (Light-Heavyweight/Cruiserweight)
Well, what can we say about the Olympic silver medallist that we don’t already know?
A PR dream outside the ring with even more ability inside it, he’s already established himself as one of the most flamboyant and exciting fighters in the world of boxing.
He’s not really faced a stern test yet as a professional but if you watched his amateur career, you’ll know this is a man who rises to the occasion when needed, and fights to the level of his opponent. So, the better the man standing across from him in the ring, the better performance you’re likely to see from Benzo.
Currently campaigning at 175lbs, he undoubtedly has the physique to grow into an established cruiserweight down the line but with the kingpins of the light-heavyweight division in Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol set to clash in the coming months, and eventually retire by the time the decade turns, Whittaker could well be the face of boxing by then.
3. Dalton Smith (Super-Lightweight/Welterweight)
One of the more established fighters on this list, Smith won the British title outright a year ago before producing a career-best performance to stop the former world title challenger Jose Zepeda in March.
Boasting a record of 16-0, with 12 stoppages to his name, Smith’s counter-punching style is really easy on the eye, especially when you combine that with his power and shot selection.
As one of the biggest talents in British boxing right now, we are predicting massive moments for Dalt in the coming years.
4. Hamzah Sheeraz (Super-Middleweight/Light-Heavyweight)
The second-most established fighter in the list with a record of 20-0, Sheeraz is already making big noises as one of the main contenders in the middleweight division.
Currently on an incredible 14-fight knockout streak that dates back to March 2019 and, in September, he will be aiming to become European 160lbs champ when he faces Tyler Denny on the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois undercard.
Standing at 6’3”, Sheeraz has an enormous frame and even though he’s currently a middleweight, he definitely has the size to move up to super-middle or light-heavyweight, and even potentially cruiserweight if he carries the weight well.
5. Dennis McCann (Featherweight/Super-Featherweight)
With 16 professional fights at the age of 23, McCann has been on the scene for many years having been signed to Queensberry from when he made his debut.
A really exciting southpaw, he already boasts eight knockouts without fully developing his man strength as yet.
With an undefeated record, the only minor blemish came when he drew with Ionut Baluta last year and he’ll be looking to set the record straight when they rematch on the Joyce/Chisora undercard later this month.
In terms of moving up, McCann isn’t the biggest of super-bantamweight’s so unless he seriously fills out, expect him to stay around the 122lbs and 126lbs divisions.
6. Cameron Vuong (Super-Lightweight/Welterweight)
A talented amateur, Vuong has taken to the paid ranks like a duck to water under the tutelage of Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis in Salford.
He’s picked up three stoppage wins from his first five fights and was taken into the deepest waters he’s experienced last time out when he claimed a convincing points decision victory over the late-replacement Jeff Ofori.
Vuong’s slick switch-hitting style is more than easy on the eye and once he does start to sit down on his punches more, which will come with experience and age, he could well be a superstar in the making, especially with the help of close friend and main sparring partner Jack Catterall.
7. Junaid Bostan (Middleweight/Super-Middleweight)
A really exciting prospect fighting out of Grant Smith’s Steel City Gym in Sheffield, Bostan has been faultless in his nine-fight career so far, picking up seven stoppage victories in the process.
A big southpaw who’s shown that he can box on the outside and inside, like others in our list, he’s yet to properly fill out which makes it even more frightening that he has only been the distance twice.
He’ll no doubt end up as a super-middleweight due to his growing frame but don’t be surprised to see him claim at least British honours at 154, before moving up to 160lbs and 168lbs to have a crack at world honours.
8. Hamza Uddin (Bantamweight/Super Bantamweight/Featherweight)
The least experienced fighter on our list, Uddin was under the guidance of Sam Jones prior to him signing with Matchroom Boxing before his professional debut.
A highlight-reel KO in his first professional contest was followed by an entertaining points win over six rounds against Giulio Commerso in June, where he showcased enough ability to ensure the boxing fraternity are excited about what lies ahead.
Like Bostan, he’s young and is yet to properly fill out, so it’s likely he will go through two or three weights at the very least.
He’s also blessed with good chat outside of the ring, so strap yourselves in because this could be an extremely fun journey.
9. Tommy Fletcher (Cruiserweight/Heavyweight)
Standing at 6’7”, cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher is quite literally one of the biggest prospects in British boxing.
An exciting southpaw, he’s blessed with a deadly left hand which has seen him pick up six stoppage victories from his eight wins.
He’ll undoubtedly end up as a heavyweight due to his size and youth, but it will be interesting to see what he can achieve at cruiserweight with a British title shot on the horizon.
10. Nick Ball (Featherweight/Super Featherweight)
The only reigning world champion in our list, Nick Ball has had an incredible rise to stardom in the past couple of years.
After stopping Isaac Lowe at Wembley Stadium, he recorded four straight victories before being controversially denied his first world title when drawing with WBC champion Rey Vargas.
He did, however, secure his second world title shot in as many fights when he faced reigning WBA champion Ray Ford. On that occasion, he did enough to become a world champion at the second time of asking.
Come 2030, he’ll be 33, but considering he makes featherweight relatively well, there may not be too many miles on the clock by then, so we expect him to still be in the pound-for-pound mix in six years’ time.