The Heavyweights: The Next Generation

The Heavyweights: The Next Generation

By Oliver McManus

In the week that Andy Ruiz provided a timely reminder that anything is possible in heavyweight boxing, we’re taking a look at five more contenders that could throw a cat among the pigeons over the course of the next couple of years.

Efe Ajagba

Nigeria’s heavyweight hopeful at the 2016 Olympics has swiftly adapted to life as a professional by advancing his record to 10-0 (nine knockouts) in just under two years; the 25 year old has thrashed his way through his opponents with only Rodney Hernandez managing to escape past the second round.

Perhaps, unfortunately, best known for his contest with Curtis Harper that lasted a whole second, there has been a concerted effort from Ajagba to build a reputation on merit in the months that have followed and his level of opposition continues to rise. In March and April of this year he brushed aside, veteran, Amir Mansour and, formerly world ranked, Michael Wallisch to set him teetering in the eyeline of the governing bodies.

He next faces Ali Eren Demirezen, WBO European champion, on the undercard of Pacquiao-Thurman in a contest that surely will bring Ajabga into the mainstream peripheral.

Arslanbek Makhmudov

Not carrying as much amateur pedigree into the pro ranks as most on this list, Makhmudov’s probably best known for representing the ‘Baku Fires’ in the World Series of Boxing, the Russian-Canadian is wasting no time in putting his name out there having rushed to 8-0 within 18 months.

The 29 year old has based himself in Montreal with Camille Estephan and Eye of the Tiger Management and has found regular opportunities coming his way – three fights already this year. His opponents haven’t been as stiff as those that Ajagba, for example, has faced but Makhmudov dealt with Jonathan Rice in devastating fashion last time out with a brutal seventh round knockout.

We know he’s a big puncher with frightening aggression but, actually, it’s time to see him taken into deeper waters to see how he adapts to opponents that are going to try and hurt him: he’s passed the power test with flying colours and if he can add variety to his shots then he could be a real force to reckon with.

Daniel Dubois

The best of the British prospects, for me, Dubois finds himself involved in a real tight tussle with Nathan Gorman on July 13th in a fight that will show just how mature he is as a fighter. He has proven his killer instinct and tactical nous as to when to target the body and held his shots well against an awkward Richard Lartey in April.

Gorman is a perfect opponent to see how well Dubois has adapted to the pro ranks and there’s a general feeling that if he doesn’t get the job done early then Gorman will find success in the later rounds. It goes without saying that Dubois attacks the body with real venom – it was the downfall of Razvan Cojanu and Tom Little – but the 21 year old has found himself getting frustrated relatively easily when things aren’t going all his way.

Even against Kevin Johnson there was an element of repetition to his performance without the urge to try new things in order to force openings and that’s when you start to remember his age. When he turned professional he stated he wanted to be world champion by the end of 2020 and I think we should judge him on that desire not by our own ambitions for him.

Michael Hunter

Undeniably closest to securing a world title tilt – Hunter was in pole position to replace Jarrell Miller before Andy Ruiz popped his head above the parapet – the 30 year old has romped his way into the frontline of heavyweight challengers thanks to a sensational run of momentum stretching back to June last year – when he knocked out Iago Kiladze in the fifth round.

Since then he has notched up three further knockouts, against Martin Bakole, Alexander Ustinov and Fabio Maldonado, in a manner that directly opposes the supposed fundamentals of heavyweight boxing.

It isn’t merely the power of Hunter that does damage but, primarily, that cruiserweight speed he’s bringing into the division. He simply doesn’t give his opponents anytime to settle and it’s his pace of movement and rapidity of shots that kills off the fights. Now he’s got an alliance with Eddie Hearn the platform seems to be there for Hunter – a far fetch from when he was meant to be fighting in China last year – and I’d love to see him face a guy like Adam Kownacki next.

Filip Hrgovic

The best Croatian heavyweight since Mirko Cro Cop – different sports, I know, but you get the sense of just how highly he is regarded – Hrgovic was a European amateur champion and Olympic bronze medalist before signing with the Sauerland’s in 2017. In the two years that have followed he’s built a record of 8-0, with fights in Latvia, Croatia, Germany and America, exclusively against opponents with winning records.

The somewhat pouty face of the 27 year old hides a demonic patriotism and obsession with being the best having pursued boxing glory since the age of 13.

Another prospect to have hooked up with DAZN and Matchroom Boxing, who seem to have a monopoly over heavyweight prospects, Hrgovic has got a team around him poised to make him a star both in Eastern Europe and Stateside. A first round knockout over Gregory Corbin, in May, provided a trigger-happy welcoming to life in America and, given that he’s only just settling into the stride of professional boxing, he’s well on track to bulldozer any opponent that steps in the ring with him.

We might well be in a situation whereby there’s a dwindling throng of heavyweight contenders but look to the future and we’re going to be spoilt for choice over the next few years.