Boxing's Hottest Prospects in 2024
Betting on boxing can get a little challenging when it comes to young prospects. Not even the experts know everything about these fighters, so making a confident bet on them is tricky.
You’ll likely look at past form, the quality of the opponent and the latest boxing tips before deciding whether to bet on a fighter.
Everyone is on the lookout for the next big boxing prospect, which is where we come in! Here at BetUK we’ve assessed the ranks of boxers who are destined to make an impact in 2024.
This isn’t about betting on Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua. We’re looking at the next generation of superstars who are on the verge of conquering the sport. Take a look for yourself!
Best Boxing Prospects
Below are five UK boxing prospects that we think are worth following.
Adam Azim
Adam Azim turned pro in 2020 and at the age of just 21 retained his European light-welterweight title against Enock Poulsen in February 2024. He is 11-0 and has won eight of his 11 fights via knockout.
He has trainer Shane McGuigan in his corner and is certainly going places. Don't expect a title fight in 2024, though. Azim is in the weight class of Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney – two boxers who are beyond his ability right now. Give it a few years and Azim could well pick up a title here.
Adam Azim Stats:
- Age: 21
- Born: Slough
- Weight: Light-welterweight
- Titles: European light-welterweight
- Record: 11-0 (8 KOs)
Hamzah Sheeraz
Hamzah Sheeraz has been winning titles since 2019 and has looked supremely comfortable at both light-middleweight and middleweight. He's on a 13-fight KO streak that includes a first-round demolition of Liam Williams in February 2024. The Commonwealth middleweight champ is on the up and his form hasn't dipped despite an injury lay-off in 2023.
At 24 Sheeraz is expected to knock on the door of a big title fight soon. He's ranked second in the WBC. Promoter Frank Warren wants a fight with Chris Eubank Jr, which is more realistic than a showdown with Jermall Charlo or Carlos Adames. Kazakh fighter Meiirim Nursultanov could be another opponent for 2024, assuming Sheeraz comes through Eubank Jr.
Hamzah Sheeraz Stats
- Age: 24
- Born: Ilford
- Weight: Middleweight
- Titles: Commonwealth middleweight champion
- Record: 19-0
Maisey Rose Courtney
As the first woman pro to train at the Matchroom Elite Gym, one might expect there to be pressure on 23-year-old Maisie Rose Courtney's shoulders. The Londoner is part of a fresh set of female boxers coming through with eyes on immediate titles. Courtney says she wants her career to be done by the time she's 30. She isn't hanging around.
Courtney is 5-0 in her pro career and comfortably beat Gemma Ruegg and Martina Bernile in her previous two fights. She made her amateur debut in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted her progress. A possible showdown with super fly Commonwealth champion Emma Dolan awaits.
Maisey Rose Courtney Stats
- Age: 23
- Born: London
- Weight: Super fly
- Titles: None
- Record: 5-0
Johnny Fisher
There are a lot of young British heavyweight boxers ready to step up and succeed Fury and Joshua when the pair finally hang up their gloves. David Adeleye is the big name but at 26 doesn't make our list. Instead, we reckon 23-year-old Johnny Fisher is the boxing prospect to watch.
The Romford Bull didn't hang around in the amateur ranks for long before stepping up to the pro level in 2021. Three years after his first fight (a first-round TKO) at Wembley Arena, Fisher has an 11-0 record and beat Ukraine's allrounder Dmytro Bezus (also in the first round).
Fisher is planning for three fights in 2024. He's already seen off Bezus in Vegas, and has eyes on the English and British heavyweight titles. That would mean respective showdowns with Solomon Dacres and Fabio Wardley, two men with more than six years experience than Fisher. He could take their belts if they themselves land world championship title fights, but that seems unlikely in the heavyweight division. Could Fisher face Dacres or Fabio Wardley this year? Perhaps.
Johnny Fisher Stats:
- Age: 24
- Born: London
- Weight: Heavyweight
- Titles: Southern Area heavyweight
- Record: 11-0
Caroline Dubois
Caroline Dubois has already achieved more than most at the age of 23. The Londoner won gold at the 2018 Youth Olympics and fought 40 times as an amateur before making the step up to pro. She has an 8-0 record since then and beat Magali Rodriguez in September 2023 to win the IBO lightweight title. She went the distance to defend the belt against Miranda Reyes five months later.
Another title fight in 2024 feels unlikely, though, as Katie Taylor is expected to drop down to the weight and defend her other belts against the likes of Estelle Mossely. Dubois will need to be patient but the southpaw has a strong mentor in Shane McGuigan behind her. She's worth keeping an eye on.
Caroline Dubois Stats:
- Age: 23
- Born: London
- Weight: Lightweight
- Titles: IBO lightweight
- Record: 9-0
Young British Boxers to Watch
Of course, there are more than just five British boxing prospects out there. The likes of Dubois and Sheeraz will steal the headlines in 2024. Yet they’re not the only fighters worth monitoring.
In the top division, 19-year-old Moses Itauma is considered one of the best heavyweight boxing prospects. He signed with Frank Warren last year and is already 7-0. He crushed Michal Boloz within a round in 2023 and plans to beat Mike Tyson's record as the youngest ever heavyweight champ at 20.
Newcastle's lightweight youngster Cameron Vuong is another one to watch. He's already 4-0 in his burgeoning career and has a showdown with Jordan Flynn in April. Win that and a few more eight-rounders will follow before he steps up.
Light middleweight Junaid Bostan is another Matchroom prospect with eyes on belts. He's won his first five fights within 11 months of turning pro.
Boxers to Watch Around the World
The UK isn't the only fertile training ground for young boxers. America and Mexico are seeing a spike in talented fighters coming through the ranks. fuelled by social media presence and greater awareness of fights taking place in the US.
One man, Devin Haney, is considered the hottest boxing prospect in the world right now. At 24 he already has a 31-0 record and the undisputed lightweight defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko in May 2023. Haney stepped up to super lightweight to beat Regis Prograis in December 2023 and claim the WBC belt. A showdown with Ryan Garcia awaits.
Dropping down to flyweight is another supreme prospect from the US. Jesse Rodriguez is already the IBF and WBO flyweight champion at 24 and has eyes on unifying the division. Another title fight with either Julio Cesar Martinez (WBC champ) or Seigo Yuri Akui (WBA) is surely on the cards for 2024.
Over in South America, Argentina's Micaela Lujan is desperate for another title bout after being forced to surrender her IBF junior bantamweight belt. The 24-year-old has struggled to land big fights and may need to travel regularly to maintain her career trajectory. Don't be surprised if we eventually see another showdown with Irma Garcia. Fighting Debora Dionicius in Argentina is a possible stepping stone to another title shot.