Britain's Got Talent: Picking out 5 Boxers Who Could Win World Titles in 2017
While some results didn't go as hoped in 2016, British boxing is still in an incredibly strong position as we head into the final month of the year.
Sure, Saul Alvarez made Amir Khan and Liam Smith suffer. And yes, Kell Brook's bid to become the first man to inflict a defeat on Gennady Golovkin in the paid ranks came to a rather painful end.
We've also seen a number of high-profile fights fail to even make it as far as the ring.
Tyson Fury's long-overdue rematch with Wladimir Klitschko was postponed, while the latter's plan to take on Anthony Joshua instead was put on hold until next year.
Other world champions—Billy Joe Saunders and Lee Selby, for instance—have seen their careers temporarily stall due to inactivity.
Still, the future remains bright for the sport in Britain (and Ireland, too).
The conveyor belt of talent shows no sign of stopping yet, meaning there are potential world champions coming through the domestic ranks.
Predicting the future is always a tough ask (hence I've never won the National Lottery), but Bleacher Report has picked out five fighters who have the talent to succeed at the highest level in 2017.
Honourable Mentions
1 of 6
Before any names are mentioned, a note about the criteria for selection.
All fighters selected must have had 20 fights or less as a pro; they cannot have challenged for a world title already in their careers; and they must be under the age of 30.
With those rules in mind, the following names could not be considered: Chris Eubank Jr., Kid Galahad, George Groves, Tyrone Nurse, Bradley Skeete, Josh Warrington and the Smith brothers—Callum, Stephen and Liam.
Don't be surprised if some/all of the above go on to conquer the world next year, though.
There were plenty of promising fighters who qualified but, ultimately, fell the wrong side of the cut line.
While Dillian Whyte suggested against Anthony Joshua last year that he's a heavyweight who can mix it at a higher standard, his focus is on a British title fight against Dereck Chisora on December 10.
Khalid Yafai appears on the same card in Manchester, England. The super flyweight would have easily made this list if it wasn't for the fact he's fighting Luis Concepcion for the WBA title before the year is out.
His brother, the talented Gamal Yafai, was seriously considered, but the toughest man to leave out was lightweight Luke Campbell.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the final list, and those who just missed out, via the comments section.
Andrew Selby
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Division: Flyweight
Record: 7-0 (5 KOs)
If you're nicknamed Superstar, you need be good. Thankfully for Andrew Selby, he has the talent to live up to the label.
The Welshman marked himself out as a prodigious talent when representing Great Britain in the amateurs.
A two-time European champion, his hopes of reaching the podium at the 2012 London Olympics were dashed by eventual gold medallist Robeisy Ramirez Carranza at the quarter-final stage.
After turning pro in 2015, Selby picked up the Lonsdale belt in just his fifth outing. He has since stopped Felix Moncada and Jake Bornea, with a win over the latter securing the IBF Inter-Continental title.
The 27-year-old knows what it takes to become a world champion, too, having watched older sibling Lee win the IBF belt at featherweight.
Big brother certainly has faith in Andrew, as he told David Williams of the South Wales Argus: "I’ve been all around the world boxing, training and watching the best fighters, and I’ve been around boxing since eight years of age, and he has got to be one of the most naturally talented fighters I’ve seen."
The younger Selby may only have had seven fights to date, but the speed and skill he demonstrates in the ring suggests he doesn't need to be held back for too long.
Barry McGuigan is a big fan—a big, big fan.
The former world champion told Sport Wales (h/t BBC Sport): "If Selby is as good as I think he could be, he'll be fighting for a world title before 10 fights."
Ryan Burnett
3 of 6
Division: Bantamweight
Record: 15-0 (9 KOs)
Ryan Burnett pricked the attention of boxing fans in the United Kingdom when he struck gold at the 2010 Olympic Youth Games in Singapore.
The Northern Irishman joined the paid ranks two years later, although an aneurysm discovered on the right side of his brain during a scan threatened to end his career before it had even started.
After finally getting a licence, he initially teamed up with Hatton Promotions in Manchester, England. However, he's since switched to London to work with trainer Adam Booth.
After signing a deal to become part of Matchroom's stable of fighters, Burnett has stepped up the level of competition.
He became British champion in November 2015 with a points victory over the experienced Jason Booth and has since defended the belt against Ryan Farrag. But the 24-year-old has ambitions way beyond bagging a Lonsdale belt for keeps.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, the plan is for Burnett to fight for a world title early in 2017. The promoter told iFL TV (h/t Joe O'Neill of Irish-boxing.com) that IBF champion Lee Haskins and Marlon Tapales, holder of the WBO belt, top the list of targets.
David Haye, formerly trained by Booth, was impressed by Burnett's performance against Farrag.
Working for Sky Sports at the event in Liverpool, England, the two-weight world champion said at ringside (h/t David Kelly of the Belfast Telegraph): "That looked like a world-class performer to me. The way he rolled the shots and brought the gym form into the ring. Perfect."
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Josh Taylor
4 of 6
Division: Super lightweight
Record: 7-0 (7 KOs)
Having won a gold medal on home soil at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Josh Taylor has taken to life in the pro game like a duck to water.
It may still be early days, but The Tartan Tornado is leaving a trail of devastation behind him.
In under 18 months, the Scot has reeled off seven successive stoppage wins. He dismantled Dave Ryan last time out, in the process becoming the new Commonwealth super lightweight champion.
Cyclones Promotions boss Barry McGuigan revealed he has no plans to hold the hot prospect back.
He told Tim Hobbs of Sky Sports: "I am not being disparaging to any other Scotland champions that have been around and we have the utmost respect for Ricky Burns, but I am telling you now, within nine months to a year, Taylor will be ready to fight him."
McGuigan has since backtracked on that idea in an interview with Gavin Harper of the East Lothian Courier, but it's hard not to get carried away with someone as talented as Taylor.
While still a work in progress under trainer Shane McGuigan, the 25-year-old is a heavy-handed puncher who hits particularly hard to the body.
Trainer Adam Booth branded Taylor "the standout UK prospect in his division" on Twitter.
And, after watching the Ryan bout, author and journalist Donald McRae tweeted: "Last night seemed to mark the emergence of a genuine new star. Skill, style and the irresistible art of body-punching from Josh Taylor."
Liam Williams
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Division: Super welterweight
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Liam Williams is well placed for a shot at a world title next year.
While the Welshman fought at middleweight in his amateur days, he's settled in nicely to life in the super welterweight division.
Trained by Gary Lockett, the 24-year-old has picked up the British and Commonwealth belts at 154 pounds despite a lengthy injury lay-off following surgery on his right hand.
Williams—who stands at 5'10" tall—has made up for lost time with a string of stoppage wins.
He settled a domestic dispute with Gary Corcoran in July before adding the WBO European strap to his ever-growing collection by stopping late stand-in Gabor Gorbics in November.
In between, Williams embraced the opportunity to spar with Kell Brook as part of the welterweight's preparations for Gennady Golovkin.
There is every possibility Williams could join Brook as a British world champion soon. Per FightNews.com, he's ranked No. 3 with the WBO and in the top 15 with both the IBF and WBA.
Promoter Frank Warren has high hopes for Williams, who is physically strong and ultra-aggressive in his approach.
The promoter told BBC Radio Wales Sport (h/t BBC Sport): "I've been dealing with all the great Welsh fighters over the years and for me Liam could be up there with them."
Hughie Fury
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Division: Heavyweight
Record: 20-0 (10 KOs)
Health issues held up Hughie Fury's progress this year—but the heavyweight is ready to roar in 2017.
The 22-year-old was last seen labouring to a technical-decision win over Fred Kassi in April. Fury suffered a horrible-looking cut after an accidental head clash, forcing the fight to be stopped in Round 7.
However, there was a reason behind the below-par performance in London.
As he explained in an interview with George Gigney of Boxing News, food allergies stopped Fury from reaching his full potential.
A new diet has allowed the fighter to focus on his career again. With time on his side and his body in better physical condition, Hughie hopes to follow in the footsteps of cousin Tyson by becoming a world champion.
He's not looking for an easy route to the top, though. Fury told Nick Parkinson of ESPN.co.uk that talks are in progress for a clash with WBC champion Deontay Wilder next spring.
Big (standing at 6'6"), technically correct and with a solid chin, Hughie has the tools to cause any heavyweight problems. And, after Tyson's win over Wladimir Klitschko, you write off a Fury at your peril.
Promoter Frank Warren wrote in his column for the Daily Star in September: "Fury has won all 20 fights with the [allergy] issue so how good is he going to be now he is fully fit?"
Hopefully we will find out next year.
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