From Ryan Garcia and Jared Anderson to Adam Azim and Ellie Scotney, here are the top 10 most anticipated boxers in 2023.

Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Canelo Alvarez, Terrence Crawford and Dimitri Bivol currently dominate the pound-for-pound list, but each fighter is over 30 and these 10 The prospect is the future of boxing.

Each fighter below is under the age of 25 and shows incredible potential. From a raw and thrilling heavyweight puncher to two British fighters and a boxer with the skills to become his number one in the sport.

All 10 below fall firmly into talkSPORT’s “Prospects” category, with the exception of fighters who have challenged for a full world title. So Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, Devin Haney and Shakur his Stevenson may be one of the best young boxers in the world, but he has already won a world championship. This is exactly what his 10 boxers below are aiming for.

10. Adam Azim

This fast, flamboyant and good-looking light welterweight has made a breakthrough in 2022. Only 20 years old, the Briton has scored his 5 KOs in his 5 fights and has achieved a 7-0 record (usually his durable Rylan spectacular his 2nd round KO including). Charlton).

His brother Hassan is also an undefeated prospect in Azim’s early years, but trainer Shane McGuigan praises him for his “ridiculous speed and reflexes.” He wants to rival his boyhood hero Amir Khan and become a world champion by the age of 22.

9. Xander Zayas

The Puerto Rican puncher has lost eight rounds of distance twice in his last three fights, but a few rounds isn’t a bad thing for a 20-year-old prodigy. Zayas, who was only 16 when he signed top of his ranks, is 15-0 (10 KOs) and has already challenged the 154-pound fringe contender.

With excellent punch placement, dangerous left hooks, and a Hollywood smile, Zayas has the qualities to go the distance and the frame to climb the ranks. Tougher testing will determine Zayas’ upper end, but it will be very fun to see how it plays out in 2023.

8. Ellie Scottney

British women’s Olympians Lauren Price, Caris Artingstoll and Caroline DuBois (who failed to win a medal in Tokyo but may have impeccable professional style) grab headlines rightfully, but London native Scottney has emerged as one of the most promising rising stars.

The 24-year-old super bantamweight is just 6-0, but she is already European champion, beating the former world champion in just her fifth fight. Looks poised to challenge for world title with Australian Chernekha Johnson.

7. Jared Anderson

This charismatic 6-foot-4-inch American heavyweight’s 13-0 record (13 KOs) is impressive in theory, but in the ring it’s even better. The 23-year-old ended his 2022 with a bang, stepping into the ring dressed as the Grinch and striking Jerry Forrest for several seasons with a second-round KO.

Big hooking Anderson has been sparring with Tyson Fury and has already eyed his best potential rival in the next generation of heavyweights. I want to go with you.” Yes, please.

6. David Morrell

Morell’s 2022 almost ended in tragedy after he knocked out previously undefeated super-middleweight Eidos Yerboshinyuri in the 12th round, sending Kazakhstan into an induced coma. Thankfully, Yerbossynuly is now out of the hospital and recovering.

Naturally, the news overshadowed how dominant the 24-year-old Morell was when he increased his record to 8-0 (7 KOs). With an impressive amateur record of 135-2 and a more fan-friendly style than one would expect from a Cuban southpaw, Morell is already a strong contender at 168 pounds.

5. Sebastian Fundora

“The Towering Inferno” is the strangest looking boxer working today. When he fights, Fundora prefers to outmaneuver his opponents up close, not even taking advantage of his extraordinary reach.

That means the American, whose sister Gabriella is also a rising star, lives up to the “fun” part of his surname. Having just turned 25, he boasts a record of 20-0-1 (13 KOs) and may not be the most sublimely talented fighter on this list, but he’s always something to watch. It will keep you entertained.

4. Ryan Garcia

Only 24 years old, but progress on the social media phenomenon “King Ry” has slowed lately. Garcia has been surprisingly outspoken about the mental health issues he faces since his KO of Luke Campbell in 2021, but Garcia did his best last year when Javier won his Fortuna. I looked back.

After “Tank” stopped Hector Garcia in January, a fascinating showdown with Garbonta Davis is scheduled. The lightning-fast Garcia starts that fight as the underdog, but the Mexican-American deserves credit after pushing through a match that many would have fended off.

3. Keyshawn Davis

He has only had seven professional fights (7-0, 5 KOs) and lost in the 2020 Olympic lightweight final to great amateur rival Andy Cruz of Cuba. But Davis appears to have the speed, footwork and adaptable skills to put him at the top of the professional game.

The 23-year-old American boxer-puncher has barely been tested professionally, but figures like British boxing icon Mike Costello have named him as the sport’s best emerging fighter. . So far, the only thing I don’t like about Davis is his nickname. “The businessman”? No.

2. Virgil Ortiz Jr.

The highly touted 24-year-old with a perfect 19-0 (19KO) record had a frustrating 2022, devastated by the rare medical condition rhabdomyolysis. Last August, he landed a brutal body shot and shook off ring rust to stop Great Britain’s Michael McKinson in the closing stages.

An educated, pressure-applying heavy puncher, the Texan was primed for a step-up fight against undefeated welterweight Eimantas Stannionis. But Stannionis’ emergency appendectomy has delayed that until at least April, and if it wins, Ortiz Jr. will have won the talented 147-pound division.

1. Jaron Ennis

“Boots” Ennis scored 27 KOs in 29 fights and won every round against Karen Chukajian before going 12 rounds away for the first time in January. Frighteningly, the 25-year-old switch-hitter’s power doesn’t even top a list of attributes like quick hands, smooth reflexes, Fleet-his footwork, and high ring IQ.

The only downside to Philadelphia’s welterweight is that he’s been slow to make a real step up in competition. Expect it to come in late 2023 for a fighter who has risen from a red-hot prospect to a can’t-miss contender.