Rising Boxing Stars Who Need to Make a Statement in Their Next Fight
In boxing, every bout is a major event in a fighter's career. With only a handful of opportunities to compete each year, the pressure is high every time a boxer enters the ring.
Once a prizefighter enters the top 10, or starts to get close, each fight is the equivalent of a playoff game in the team sports.
The fighters on this list are all on the brink of potential stardom. Some of them might be legitimate champions by the end of 2016.
But they will all need to seize the opportunities in front of them and make major statements in their next fights.
10. Chris Eubank Jr., Middleweight
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I've got Chris Eubank Jr. ranked at the bottom of this list because he's already got his next fight scheduled, against Nick Blackwell. Eubanks can only make a limited statement by beating an opponent like that.
Beyond Blackwell, Eubanks should get a major opportunity this year. He's an exciting, athletic fighter and the son of one of Britain's beloved former champions. His only loss was by split decision, to Billy Joe Saunders, who claimed the WBO middleweight belt from Andy Lee last December.
So at 26, Eubanks needs to be prepared to cash in on his big break later this year.
9. Anthony Joshua, Heavyweight
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Last year was a terrific year for British boxing, and Tyson Fury put the cherry on the sundae when he outworked Wladimir Klitschko to capture the heavyweight crown on November 28. But when English fans look to the future, there can be no doubt that many of them are locked in on 2012 Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua.
Joshua already has his next fight slated for April, with the opponent yet to be named. So he's not likely to face another rising star like himself. A sturdy journeyman is a more likely bet.
Whomever he ends up facing, Joshua needs to look good. With a 15-0 record and 15 KOs, the big man has already inched up close to the heavyweight top 10. A few more quick nights of work should position Joshua for a shot at a belt.
It's been years since the heavyweight division was as wide-open as it is now. Joshua has the opportunity to rise with a bullet in 2016.
8. Joseph Parker, Heavyweight
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Joseph Parker is in a position similar to Anthony Joshua as we move into the second month of 2016. He's a big, skilled young heavyweight with punching power. And a lot of fans are getting excited as they contemplate his upside.
Like Joshua, he's also scheduled to fight in April, with the opponent still yet to be determined. Parker's 2015 was workmanlike, as he went 5-0 with five KOs against respectable, but hardly sensational, competition.
So far in 2016, Parker has already knocked out journeyman Jason Bergman. He needs another dominating performance in April, regardless of his opponent.
At just 24, Parker should be prepared to make a big move up the heavyweight ranking in 2016.
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7. Errol Spence Jr., Welterweight
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In 2015, Errol Spence Jr. might have created as much excitement as any rising contender in the sport. The 2012 Olympian looks like the total package. He's got technical skill, athleticism and power.
Spence was 4-0 with all his wins coming inside of the distance in 2015. He stopped Samuel Vargas in four rounds in April and finished Phil Lo Greco in three in June. He knocked out Chris van Heerden in September and Alejandro Barrera in November.
Those were four good wins for a fighter in his just third professional year. But in 2016, fans are going to expect to see Spence face recognized contenders.
In the always talent-rich welterweight division, the rising star is also going to need to look impressive against them, as well.
6. Julian Williams, Junior Middleweight
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Julian Williams has been impressive in his career so far. But there is a crowded field at 154 pounds, so he needs to shine each time in steps into the ring, if he wants to truly stand out.
Last year was mostly about staying busy for Williams. In April, he beat Joey Hernandez by 100-89 on all three cards. He stopped Arman Ovsepyan in Round 6 in June and dispatched veteran Luciano Cuello in just 93 seconds in September.
Those three fights kept his career moving in the right direction, but it is going to take much more for him to truly make waves in a division that boasts veteran stars like Austin Trout, Erislandy Lara and Miguel Cotto, along with young lions such as the Charlo twins.
Williams definitely needs to make a statement in his next fight.
5. Michel Soro, Junior Middleweight
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Michel Soro of France is actually ranked No. 10 at middleweight by the Ring, and his draw with Antoine Douglas in July 2014 did prove that Soro can be competitive against pretty decent 160-pound competition. But he's a true junior middleweight, and that's where he should get his career-defining fights.
Soro actually got a shot at the WBO belt when he faced Zaurbek Baysangurov back in 2008. But he wasn't quite ready for that level of competition and came up short, losing by decision.
The WBO strap is now held by England's Liam Smith, who is among the most vulnerable titleholders in the sport. Soro would be a deserving candidate for a second shot at that belt.
Soro stopped two decent fighters in 2015 in Glen Tapia and Emanuele Blandamura. In 2016, he needs to be ready to step forward and shine.
4. Antoine Douglas, Middleweight
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Antoine Douglas was a high-level amateur, before turning professional shortly after his 20th birthday. In the pro ranks, he's been consistently impressive, with the only blemish on his record occurring in a draw against fellow contender Michel Soro.
Douglas knocked out a pair of undefeated prospects in 2015 in Istvan Szili and Thomas Lamanna. In November, he stopped fringe contender Les Sherrington in four rounds.
Douglas is on the bubble for the top 10 at 160 pounds. His win over Sherrington was the main event on Showtime's Shobox. That's traditionally a final step before moving into true, contender status.
So Douglas' next bout is likely to be a big one. At 23, he is in position to make major moves in 2016.
3. Gilberto Ramirez, Super Middleweight
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Undefeated super middleweight Gilberto Ramirez already has his next fight scheduled, and it's a huge one. In April, he faces Arthur Abraham for the WBO title.
Abraham is one of the best middle and super middleweights of the past generation. He's a rugged, tough-as-nails champion, but at 35, he could be vulnerable.
Ramirez has a body designed for prizefighting. The Mexican native has tremendous height and length for a super middleweight, standing 6'2 ½" and sporting a reach of 75".
If he can shine against Abraham and win the WBO strap, Ramirez will be well positioned to get into the mix at super middleweight, just as the division is launching a new era with young champions Badou Jack (WBC), James DeGale (IBF) and Fedor Chudinov (WBA).
2. Jose Benavidez, Light Welterweight
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With a record of 24-0 and 16 KOs, the 23-year-old Jose Benavidez is in an outstanding position to make a name for himself in the 140-pound division. But he needs to impress in his next fight if he really wants to stand out in a division that is ruled by Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol.
On paper, the biggest win of Benadvidez's career was over Mauricio Herrera. But that decision was a complete miscarriage of justice.
Benavidez has the look of a genuine blue-chipper. At 5'11" and with a 73" reach, he's got great length. He was a national Golden Gloves champion, so he's got the pedigree.
At just 23, he's also got the gift of youth. On paper, he's a star in waiting. But he needs to make a statement in his next fight, in order to match up his reality with his potential.
1. Charles Martin, Heavyweight
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The IBF claims that Charles Martin is the heavyweight champion of the world. But that, of course, is ridiculous.
The fact that Martin was even given the opportunity to fight Vyacheslav Glazkov for the vacant IBF belt was ridiculous, as was the fact that the IBF had stripped the belt from Tyson Fury, the man who beat Wladimir Klitschko.
Going into that bout, Martin had beaten absolutely nobody that made him worthy of a title shot. When Glazkov injured his knee during their "title fight" and was unable to continue, Martin officially became the least qualified "heavyweight champion" in boxing history.
I've got nothing against Martin himself. He's a big, athletic guy with legitimate power. He as raw and clumsy as a dancing bear at this point, but he's got genuine potential.
But now that he's been thrust into the spotlight prematurely, he needs to make a real statement in his next fight.
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