5 Fighters To Watch in the Next 5 Years

Right now boxing is dominated by a small group of fighters. However, almost all of them are now on the wrong side of 30. So, we have to look for the new breed of fighters to take over and become the household names of tomorrow.

These are five boxers who should be titleholders and big draws in the next few years.

5. Nathan Cleverly

The light heavyweight and former sparring partner of great British boxer Joe Calzaghe, Cleverly has a powerful punch that can swing fights in his favor. He has 22 wins against zero losses, but that stat can be misleading. He has fought just once is his professional career outside of the United Kingdom and he has just beat up on the weak European light heavyweight division.

However, the 24-year-old has all the tools to be a star and once he extends himself more he can make a name for himself in the United States. If he ever does fight Jean Pascal or Tavoris Cloud he could win and be on the fast track to boxing stardom.

4. Kell Brook

Welterweight Brook is similar to Cleverly in that he does not fight outside of the United Kingdom, and he beats up on all the European challengers.

The 25-year-old is undefeated in 24 fights and has very good speed for such a strong puncher. He may struggle with some of the better welterweights, and that may be what is keeping him in England, but a fight a fight against Andre Berto or Victor Ortiz would raise his profile and show off his talent to a new crowd.

Expect big things from “Kell the Kid” in the future.

3. Abner Mares

Mares and Nonito Donaire dominate the bantamweight division and Mares often has to fight subpar competition. He is a little bit short, but he makes up for it with fast hands. However, his height and reach may be a reason why he does not want to go up in weight. 

Mares is undefeated in 22 fights with one draw, and the 25-year-old has a great future ahead of him. He has a huge rematch with Joseph Agbeko and if he were to win that fight, expect Mares to be part of some big future fights. 

2. Victor Ortiz

Another welterweight, Ortiz has recently become a recognizable name with his scheduled bout against Floyd Mayweather. However, he is still a little ways off from becoming a pay-per-view draw on his own.

He is only 24 years old and has a huge win over Andre Berto and an underrated win over Antonio Diaz, which showcased his potential. He is a southpaw with fast hands and likes to be the aggressor, which will endear Ortiz to the crowd.

He will be the Mayweather of the future, and the future may be soon if he can beat the Mayweather of the present.

1. Andre Ward

Ward is just entering his prime and the 27-year-old is undefeated with 24 wins in 24 tries.

He has a huge bout with Carl Froch in the Super Six tournament for super middleweights. Ward has a great reach and can deliver a knockout blow at any point in a fight. He has a history of hurting opponents and is fun to watch.

Ward should be a huge draw in the next few years and could draw a great pay-per-view if he were to fight a star in another division. This remains his only problem: If he beats Froch, who's left for him? For Ward to be the next big star he needs to find another marquee fight.