Amateur Boxers To Watch In 2022
With Tokyo 2021 in the history books, all eyes are now on Paris 2024 in what could be the last time we see amateur boxing at the Olympics for the foreseeable future. Given the high turnover of amateur stars to the pro’s, it can be difficult to know who to keep tabs on at the start of a fresh Olympic cycle - but fortunately we’ve got you covered, as I’ll be taking a look at some of the most exciting talents from each weight class. Whilst AIBA - or IBA as it’s now known - expanded the number of weight classes to 13 at the latest edition of the World Championships, for the purposes of this article we’re going to stick to the 8 divisions featured at the Olympics. Let’s get the ball rolling with one of the deepest weight classes in the sport; flyweight.
52kg (Flyweight)
SAKEN BIBOSSINOV
Kazakhstan, 24 years old, 2021 AIBA Flyweight World Champion
Truth be told I always had Bibossinov nailed down as just short of the elite at 52kg, but the Kazakh proved me wrong in a big way last year, capturing Olympic bronze and a maiden world title whilst beating a murderer’s row of talent en route. Wins over the likes of Yuberjen Martínez, Roscoe Hill, Gabriel Escobar, Deepak Kumar and 2016 Olympic champion Hasanboy Dusmatov have seen Bibossinov skyrocket up the pound-for-pound standings, and at just 24 years-old the newly-minted world champion has plenty of years ahead of him. The only question mark for me is consistency; Bibossinov’s form has been patchy before, with losses to Makhmud Sabyrkhan, Jianguan Hu, Amit Panghal and Billal Bennama in the last three years, and it’ll be interesting to see whether the Kazakh can maintain his hot streak going into the 2022 season. I expect to see Bibossinov in contention for medals at Paris 2024, but two years is a long time in amateur boxing and in a division as stacked as flyweight, anything can happen.
Roscoe HILL
United States of America, 27 years old, 2021 AIBA World Championship silver-medallist
27 year-old Roscoe Hill took the long way around when it came to breaking out on the international stage, debuting back in 2009 and falling just short against Anthony Herrera in his attempts to qualify for Tokyo 2021. But the American’s patience finally paid off at the 2021 World Championships when he captured silver in his first major tournament outside of the US, beating Russian #1 Akhtem Zakirov and reigning European champion Artur Hovhannisyan along the way. Towering over the field at 5’7, Hill’s length and mobility makes him a difficult puzzle for solve for anyone at the weight, although I still have concerns about how upright he fights as well as the fact that he leaves his chin up in the air. Sooner or later that could wind up spelling trouble - for now though, Hill can rightfully claim to be one of 52kg’s best and he’ll be hoping to break USA boxing’s gold-medal drought in Paris.
SHAkhzod muzaffarov
Uzbekistan, 19 years old, 2021 AIBA Youth Flyweight World Champion
The latest starlet to come out of Uzbekistan’s amateur boxing programme, 19 year-old Shakhzod Muzaffarov announced himself as one to watch in 2021 with an impressive run at the Youth World Championships which saw him beat Japanese speedster Daiya Kira and European Youth champion Evgenii Zhorov of Russia to take flyweight gold. The Uzbek should have been crowned national champion in December as well - only for the judges to rob him of a clear win over Dilshod Abduvaliev in the final - and he got off to a perfect start in 2022 with gold at the U-22 Asian Championships in Tashkent. Muzaffarov will be looking to make the transition to senior competition later this year and given his success at the youth level, the talented flyweight will be one to watch out for in the coming years.
Honourable mentions; Deepak Kumar (IND), Akhtem Zakirov (RUS), Attila Bernath (HUN), Evgenii Zhorov (RUS), Sanzhar Tashkenbay (KAZ), Daiya Kira (JAP)
57kg (Featherweight)
ALBERT BATYRGAZIEV
Russia, 23 years old, 2021 Olympic Featherweight Champion
Following his gold-medal triumph in Tokyo, Olympic featherweight champion Albert Batyrgaziev was widely expected to make a permanent switch to the paid ranks - however, the Russian made clear that he wants to capture a second title in Paris whilst also competing as a pro, a move that has become increasingly common from fighters in Eastern Europe. Right now, Batyrgaziev is the de facto #1 at 56kg (although the fighter below might have something to say about that) with wins over Lazaro Álvarez, Duke Ragan, Abdumalik Khalokov and Erdenebat Tsendbaatar cementing his status at the top. At just 23 years-old, time is on Batyrgaziev’s side if he wants to make another Olympic run, although there will understandably be fears about whether he can readjust to amateur competition should he spend too long away in the pro’s. But the Russian’s non-stop volume makes him perfectly suited to this style of boxing, and I expect him to be one of the favourites heading into Paris. The real question is whether he can still make 57kg by then.
JAHMAL HARVEY
United States of America, 19 years old, 2021 AIBA Featherweight World Champion
19 year-old Jahmal Harvey was an overnight sensation at the 2021 World Championships, triumphing over a stacked 56kg field to take gold on his international debut. After squeaking past Belgium’s Vasile Usturoi in the prelims, Harvey rebounded with an upset win over reigning world champion Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov before beating Gabriel Luiz, Samuel Kistohurry and Serik Temirzhanov to be crowned the first American world champion since Rau’shee Warren back in 2007. What’s even scarier for the rest of the division is that, at only 19 years-old, this is just the beginning for ‘Hard Rock’ and there’s still plenty of room for him to develop. The American’s work-rate, movement and composure makes him the standout of this U.S. amateur team, and he could well go one better than the likes of Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson by the time Paris rolls around. But with a number of talented domestic fighters eyeing the 57kg spot, Harvey will have to remain focussed if he wants to stay on top of the featherweight pack.
ABDUMALIK KHALoKOV
Uzbekistan, 21 years old, 2021 AIBA World Championship silver-medallist
Back in 2019, I had Khalakov penned down as one of amateur boxing’s future stars and predicted that he’d be challenging for major honours in a few years time. But following Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov’s poor run of form, the 21 year-old was handed a spot on the national team and took the opportunity with both hands, bagging silver at the 2021 World Championships to establish himself as the new #1 for Uzbekistan at 57kg. Gold at the Strandja Tournament in Bulgaria last week proves that Khalakov is one of the best featherweights around right now, although a handful of losses against elite opposition do raise some concerns about whether he can go all the way in Paris. If Khalokov can claim a notable scalp this year, it would go a long way to dispelling that myth.
REITO TSUTSUMI
Japan, 19 years old, 2021 AIBA Youth Lightweight World Champion
Reito is the younger, more talented brother of Hayato Tsutsumi (who I covered as a prospect a few years ago) and when I watched him at the Youth World Championships last year, I knew I was looking at a special talent. The Japanese teen was heads and shoulders above everyone else at the tournament and he dominated a strong 60kg field to win gold - my only worry was that, for all of his ability, Tsutsumi was undersized at lightweight. A move to 57kg for the World Championships in October seemed like a smart decision, but Tsutsumi was handed a difficult matchup in his opening bout against Kazakhstan’s Serik Temirzhanov, who would later go on to take silver in Belgrade, and he struggled with the Kazakh’s size and physicality throughout. The 19 year-old prodigy was straight up outgunned, and whilst he showed real heart in a spirited third round effort, this fight showedthat Tsutsumi might not be ready for the seniors just yet. I’ve decided to put him on this list because, with a couple of changes, he has massive potential - first of all he needs to learn to move back out after attacking rather than staying in range and sticking up a high guard, which is a common habit amongst Japanese boxers (looking at you Tanaka). Hopefully Tsutsumi sticks around in the amateurs a little longer like his brother Hayato has done, so we can continue to see him develop and improve.
Honourable mentions; Tomoya Tsuboi (JAP), Lazaro Álvarez (CUB), Makhmud Sabyrkhan (KAZ), Julius Ballo (USA), Daniyal Shahbaksh (IRI), Akash Kumar (IND)
63kg (Light-welterweight)
ANDY CRUZ
Cuba, 26 years old, 2021 Olympic & World Light-Welterweight Champion
Cuban marvel Andy Cruz had another stellar year in 2021, triumphing over arch-rival Keyshawn Davis to win his first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo before claiming a third-consecutive World Championship crown in Belgrade a few months later. There’s no denying that ‘El Fenomeno’ is the best amateur boxer in the world right now, but the question is whether anyone can challenge him in the next couple of years - Mujibillo Tursunov and Vershaun Lee both put in solid efforts at the World Championships, yet never really came close to actually winning, and given how imperious Cruz has looked recently you get the feeling that it’ll take a special fighter to stop him from winning a second Olympic gold in Paris. On the plus side 63kg is brimming with talented fighters who are still developing, which offers some hope for the future. If you haven’t got around to watching Cruz before, check out his masterclass against Olympic bronze-medallist Hovhannes Bachkov in the semi-finals of this year’s World Championships. You can also see Cruz in action at the continental championships which start on the 22nd of March.
Mujibillo tursunov
Uzbekistan, 22 years old, World Military Boxing Championships silver-medallist
Losses to Elnur Abduraimov and Aliyor Noraliyev at the national championships saw Mujibilo Tursunov struggle to break into the national team in the last two years, but the 22 year-old emerged as Uzbekistan’s new #1 in 2021 following a string of impressive performances. Tursunov took silver at the CISM World Military Boxing Championships in September, dropping a contentious decision to former European champion Dzmitry Asanau in the final, and gave pound-for-pound kingpin Andy Cruz a scare at the World Championships (although the fight wasn’t nearly as close as the 3:2 verdict would suggest). Despite missing out on the national title for a third straight year after being upset by 19 year-old Ruslan Abdullaev, to my eye Tursunov is the better fighter of the two when both are at their best. But that conveniently ties in with my biggest concern about him; consistency. Against Cruz the Uzbek made use of feints and proactive upper-body movement to compliment his pressure, but in other fights he’s looked far less concerned with being defensively responsible when closing the gap. Whilst Tursunov isn’t particularly accurate with his punches, he makes up for this with non-stop volume and varied shot selection - although he can throw himself off balance at times when letting his hands go. Gold at the Strandja Tournament last week suggests that he’s heading in the right direction, and if Tursunov can keep performing at a high-level he’ll be a strong contender to medal in Paris.
VERSHAUN LEE
United States of America, 21 years old, 2021 U.S.A. National Champion
I watched Lee for the first time at the USA National Golden Gloves last year and whilst I wasn’t blown away or anything, I thought he looked solid overall. But after knocking out the overmatched Blessing Waldropt inside two rounds at the World Championships, Lee caught my eye in his next bout against Cuba’s Andy Cruz - despite losing by unanimous decision, there were plenty of positives to take away from his performance. Lee’s counters gave Cruz a few issues early on, and whilst Cruz quickly adjusted by setting traps, feinting to throw off Lee’s timing and speeding up his exits, the American pushed him back in the third round and kept it competitive. Lee has real upside; he’s big for the weight and carries respectable power, with his game centred around working behind a sturdy jab at range and countering opponents when they step in. The 21 year-old will continue to improve with more experience against international competition, although whether Team USA will stick or twist with him remains to be seen - they recently selected promising 18 year-old Emilio Garcia ahead of Lee for the upcoming continental championships, and if Garcia can seize his chance then it may be difficult for the Illinois native to reclaim his spot on the elite squad.
RADOSLAV ROSENOV
Bulgaria, 18 years old, 2022 Strandja Tournament gold medallist
Having won four straight European Youth titles as a junior, 18 year-old Radoslav Rosenov was touted as one of amateur boxing’s brightest prospects heading into 2022 - and the Bulgarian showed exactly why after storming to gold at the Strandja Tournament, taking wins over Murat Yildirim, Simone Spada and Gianluca Russo as well as dispatching Elias Idrissi in under a minute. Whilst Rosenov is still far from the finished article, he has the speed and power to be a major threat at 63kg and I prefer him to World Championship silver-medallist Kerem Özmen, who Rosenov beat back at the AIBA Youth World Championships last year. Gold at Paris 2024 will likely be too much too soon, especially with Andy Cruz at the peak of his powers, but this youngster is definitely one to keep an eye out for.
Honourable mentions; Kerem Özmen (TUR), Ruslan Abdullaev (UZB), Emilio Garcia (USA), Reese Lynch (SCO)
69kg (Welterweight)
RONIEL IGLESIAS
Cuba, 33 years old, 2021 Olympic Welterweight Champion
33 year-old Roniel Iglesias proved that he still has plenty left in the tank in Tokyo, beating world champion Andrey Zamkovoy and top-seed Pat McCormack to take Olympic gold in a second weight class. Despite suffering an early exit at the World Championships following a clash of heads with Jordan’s Zeyad Iashaish, Iglesias is still the man to beat at 69kg - at least for now. He’ll be 35 by the next Olympics though, and whilst you can never rule the Cuban out I think a third gold in Paris may be a step too far. With Kevin Hayler Brown waiting in the wings Iglesias will have to fend off stiff competition to keep hold of his spot on the national team, and there’s a fresh batch of young talent who will be determined to unseat the old guard.
YURII ZAKHARIEIEV
Ukraine, 19 years old, 2021 AIBA Light-Middleweight World Champion
Teenage sensation Yurii Zakharieiev enjoyed a record-breaking season in 2021, becoming the first man to take gold at both the Youth and Elite World Championships in a single calendar year. I was admittedly a little sceptical of how well Zakharieiev would translate to the senior ranks at first, as despite being an exceptional athlete the Ukrainian makes a number of technical errors - from leaning away from punches to losing his balance - and given how aggressively he fights, I thought that he’d get caught out against a quality opponent. But a win over Kazakhstan’s Aslanbek Shymbergenov proved that Zakharieiev can mix it with the very best at the weight, and his combination of volume, strength and explosiveness makes him a difficult opponent to beat. Right now the 19 year-old has a broad toolbox but not much in the way of depth, and if he can shore up his technique he’ll be amongst the favourites to take Olympic gold in a few years time. In the right hands, this young man could be a pound-for-pound talent.
Aslanbek shymbergenov
Kazakhstan, 28 years old, 2021 St. Petersburg Governor Cup Champion
Shymbergenov has looked excellent in the past 12 months, beating Russian veteran Andrey Zamkovoy and Uzbekistan’s Bob-Usmon Baturov to claim the biggest win of his career at the St. Petersburg Governor Cup, and despite spending a number of years in the shadow of compatriot Ablaikhan Zhussupov the Kazakh has done enough to warrant the top spot at 69kg. Despite failing to medal, Shymbergenov’s World Championship campaign showed what he’s capable of - the 28 year-old handily beat Olympic silver-medallist Shakhram Giyasov in the prelims before coming up short against Zakharieiev in a fight that I thought he deserved to win. Shymbergenov’s length, counters and snappy jab fired from the waist out in particular, and the Kazakh could well be a dark horse at welterweight.
Omari Jones
United States of America, 19 years old, 2021 AIBA World Championship silver-medallist
19 year-old Omari Jones was another breakout star for Team USA in Belgrade, having reached the final after beating Brazil’s Wanderson Oliveira by unanimous decision. Although he had to settle for silver following a narrow loss against the tricky Sewonrets Okazawa, Jones can take encouragement from his first international tournament and he’ll learn a lot from the experience. What really caught my eye about the American was his height and reach - at 6’1 Jones’ dimensions pose a unique challenge for the rest of the division, and so far he’s proved very effective at keeping opponents at range through a combination of smart movement and a quick jab thrown from the hip which makes him difficult to time. That being said, the Florida native is still raw and he’ll need to improve in certain areas to contend in Paris; Jones had some trouble when forced to box on the front foot against Okazawa, and we don’t know how he’ll cope with an opponent who can close the gap and force him into exchanges consistently. Only time will tell just how good Jones is, but given that the next World Championships will take place in 2023, we may have to wait a while to find out.
Honourable mentions; Sewonrets Okazawa (JAP), Wanderson Oliveira (BRA), Kevin Hayler Brown (CUB), Nikolai Terteryan (DEN), Ablaikhan Zhussupov (KAZ), Maksym Molodan (UKR)
75kg (Middleweight)
OLEKSANDR KHYZHNIAK
Ukraine, 26 years old, 2021 Olympic Middleweight silver-medallist
Having been nailed on to take middleweight gold in Tokyo, Oleksandr Khyzhniak fell victim to one of the greatest upsets in amateur boxing history after being knocked out by Brazil’s Hebert Sousa in the Olympic final despite holding an unassailable lead on the judges’ cards heading into the third round. The Ukrainian was expected to switch over to the pro’s shortly after, but decided to stick around for another Olympic cycle and attempt to go one better in Paris - whilst he didn’t feature at the World Championships last year, Khyzhniak returned to competition at the Strandja Tournament in February. If you thought that the loss to Sousa would have made Khyzhniak more cautious, think again; the 26 year-old wrecking ball was back to his usual self in Bulgaria, overwhelming opponents with relentless pressure and volume. At this point in his career, Khyzhniak is what he is - there will always be that risk of getting clipped given how aggressive he fights, but the reality is that very few middleweights can live with the pace that he sets. Saidjamshid Jafarov had success neutralising Khyzhniak with lateral movement but started to unravel in the later rounds, whilst Indian teenager Sumit Kundu tried to fight fire with fire before the Ukrainian’s body-shots eventually took their toll. A fight with current world champion Yoenlis Hernandez is at the very top of my wish list this year, although we probably won’t get to see it until at least 2023.
Yoenlis hernandez
Cuba, 24 years old, 2021 AIBA Middleweight World Champion
You likely wouldn’t have heard the name Yoenlis Hernandez until last year, as the Cuban spent much of his early career battling for a spot on the national team in Cuba’s fiercely competitive domestic scene. With Arlen López moving north to light-heavyweight however, Hernandez filled in at 75kg and came to attention at the 2021 World Championships after edging Russia’s Dzhambulat Bizhamov to secure gold. The 24 year-old from Matanzas was a bit of an unknown commodity in Belgrade, but quickly proved his elite credentials with a number of eye-catching performances. Hernandez is fast, fluid and technically well-schooled, but his upper-body movement and shot selection are what sets him apart from the rest of the field. He can box on the outside or fight up-close, and the Cuban’s sharp counter-punching could be decisive in a potential matchup with Khyzhniak. Get used to seeing a lot more of Hernandez in the coming years.
Dzhambulat Bizhamov
Russia, 22 years old, 2021 AIBA World Championship silver-medallist
I have mixed feelings when it comes to Bizhamov - on one hand, he’s enjoyed plenty of success so far as an amateur and his résumé is impressive for someone so young. But on the other hand, I’m not sold that the Russian is as good as his results would suggest. Despite comfortably beating the likes of Giorgi Kharabadze and Kevin Schumann at the World Championships, Bizhamov never really wowed me with any of his performances although there were some positives. He’s long and rangy for the weight with a relaxed hands-down style, and I like his tendency to move his head after punching. Yet the Russian’s frequent switch-hitting doesn’t hide the fact that he isn’t nearly as slick as he thinks he is, and against India’s Sumit Kundu Bizhamov was reduced to desperately holding on the inside with no answer for his opponent’s physical tactics. The 22 year-old is a skilled boxer when given time and space to work, but he can be bullied on the inside and I think someone like Khyzhniak would be a nightmare for him. Given the right matchups though, Bizhamov could find himself on the podium in Paris.
Honourable mentions; Saidjamshid Jafarov (UZB), Sumit Kundu (IND), Nurkanat Rayis (KAZ), Obed Bartee-El (USA)
81kg (Light-heavyweight)
ARLEN LÓPEZ
Cuba, 28 years old, 2021 Olympic Light-Heavyweight Champion
Following his Olympic triumph at middleweight back in 2016, the last few years have been pretty underwhelming for Arlen López - disappointing exits at the World Championships and rumours of poor discipline saw his career stall, and you’d be forgiven for having doubts about him ahead of Tokyo. But a move to light-heavyweight sparked a return to form for the Cuban in 2021, with López looking back to his best after taking Olympic gold in a second weight-class. When he’s motivated, the 28 year-old is head-and-shoulders above everyone else in the division - whilst López didn’t attend the World Championships, I struggled to see anyone posing a threat to the man who eased to gold in Japan. At this point, the Cuban’s biggest enemy is himself; he’s more than capable of wining a record-equalling third Olympic title in Paris, but consistency and application remain persistent questions. It’ll be interesting to see how the next few years pan out for López.
ALIAKSEI ALFIORAU
Belarus, 21 years old, 2021 AIBA World Championship silver-medallist
Don’t be fooled by how busted up he looks - Aliaksei Alfiorau may well be the best boxer at 81kg not named Arlen López, and should have been crowned world champion in Belgrade if not for some questionable judging. An elusive, accurate southpaw with deceptive power, the Belarusian showed his mettle in gruelling bouts with Iranian bulldozer Meysam Ghesghlaghi and Croatia’s Luka Plantic before proving too skilled for Russia’s Savelii Sadoma, who he outboxed to set up a final against American Robby Gonzales. Alfiorau got off to a dream start against Gonzales, scoring a knockdown in the first 30 seconds, and his sharper, cleaner work saw the 21 year-old rewarded with a commanding lead on the scorecards going into the third round. Despite fading down the stretch, I thought Alfiorau’s early success would surely see him take the win only for the judges to favour Gonzales by 3:2 split decision, ending the Belarusian’s run in heartbreaking fashion. Regardless of the result, Alfiorau looks like a serious contender to medal at 81kg.
rahim ‘ROBBY’ gonzales
United States of America, 25 years old, 2021 AIBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion
Robby Gonzales left Belgrade as the newly-crowned world champion at light-heavyweight, although it’s fair to say he got a hefty slice of luck from the judges. The American battled past Uzbek bruiser Odiljon Aslonov in the round of 16, rallying from a tough opening round to take a 3:2 split decision in a fight that could have gone either way, and edged home favourite Vladimir Mironchikov in the semi’s before running into Belarus’ Alfiorau. Gonzales didn’t deserve the win in that one, but one thing we learnt about him throughout this tournament is that he has tremendous heart. The 25 year-old from Nevada is a slow starter yet gets stronger as the bout goes on, and he’s particularly effective up-close where his engine, hand-speed and vicious bodywork allows him to wear down opponents. Defensively Gonzales leaves a lot to be desired - he’s been clipped exiting range with his chin sticking out a number of times and doesn’t move his head much in exchanges - but adversity seems to bring out the best in him. Unless we see some serious progress in the next few years, I don’t see Gonzales having much for Arlen López, who has proved himself to be an all-terrain fighter whether it’s boxing at range or going toe-to-toe in the pocket. The American is great fun to watch though, and could be in some very entertaining matchups at the weight.
Honourable mentions; Alfonso Dominguez (AZE), Alfred Cromwell (ITA), Odiljon Aslonov (UZB), Savelii Sadoma (RUS), George Crotty (ENG), Ruslan Kolesnikov (RUS), Mikhail Usov (RUS)
91kg (Heavyweight)
JULIO CÉSAR LA CRUZ
Cuba, 32 years old, 2021 Olympic & World Heavyweight Champion
After moving up to heavyweight in 2021, Cuban maestro Julio César La Cruz cemented his status as one of the greatest amateur boxers of all time by taking a second Olympic gold in Tokyo as well as a fifth World Championship title. Whilst I feared that La Cruz would start to look more vulnerable as his reflexes dimmed with age, wins over Enmanuel Reyes, Aziz-Abbes Mouhiidine and Madiyar Saydrakhimov as well as a punch-perfect performance against Muslim Gadzhimagomedov showed that he’s still a step ahead of the competition at 32 years old. Can the Cuban join his countrymen Teófilo Stevenson and Felix Savón as a three-time Olympic champion in Paris? Looking at 91kg right now, that seems like a very real possibility. La Cruz’s style carries obvious risks, but unless he sharply declines over the next year or two I wouldn’t pick anyone in the division over him.
AZIZ-ABBES MOUHIIDINE
Italy, 23 years old, 2021 AIBA World Championship silver-medallist
23 year-old Aziz-Abbes Mouhiidine of Italy shot to prominence in 2021 after picking up silver at the World Championships, beating Cuban-born Spaniard Enmanuel Reyes in the semi-finals to claim a career-best result. Whilst a matchup against La Cruz ultimately proved a step too far, the Italian’s run in Belgrade demonstrated that he can compete at the elite level after coming up short at major tournaments in the last couple of years. Stylistically, Mouhiidine is an awkward opponent to deal with - constantly bouncing on his toes, the 23 year-old southpaw possesses explosive speed and can quickly close the gap with his raids, although he’s a little untidy and can be caught when holding his feet. In a division full of slow, plodding fighters, Mouhiidine’s athleticism gives him a better chance than most at dethroning La Cruz, although challenging for gold in Paris feels like a long shot. That being said, a fresh addition to a weight class that’s been crying out for new contenders is always welcome.
Jamar Talley
United States of America, 22 years old, 2020 Olympic Trials runner-up
I’d describe Jamar Talley as a fighter who’s solid rather than spectacular - whilst the American doesn’t really do anything that blows you away, he’s well-rounded with a high work-rate, quick hands, respectable power and a penchant for body-punching. Talley went on a strong run at the World Championships last year, reaching the quarter-finals before losing a 4:1 decision to Enmanuel Reyes, and he acquitted himself well against a much more experienced opponent. But the New Jersey product has work to do if he wants to medal in Paris; he’s too hittable immediately after throwing and struggles to cut the ring off, and I’m not sold on his wide stance which is something that’s becoming increasingly common amongst American boxers. I can’t see Talley giving La Cruz any real problems, but given the state of heavyweight he’s one of the better prospects around.
Honourable mentions; Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (RUS), Enmanuel Reyes (ESP), Madiyar Saydrakhimov (UZB), Sagyndyk Togambay (KAZ), Keno Machado (BRA), Jorge Felimón (CUB)
91+kg (Super-heavyweight)
BAKHODIR JALOLOV
Uzbekistan, 27 years old, 2021 Olympic Super-Heavyweight Champion
Having failed to medal at Rio 2016, Bakhodir Jalolov capped off his recent dominance of the super-heavyweight division with Olympic gold in Tokyo, beating USA’s Richard Torrez in the final. Although the Uzbek didn’t compete at the World Championships in Belgrade, he’s made clear that he intends to continue his amateur career with an eye on taking a second Olympic title. 92+kg is a wasteland right now and there’s not exactly much in the way of young talent coming through, so I’d be surprised if Jalolov doesn’t repeat in Paris. The 27 year-old has his flaws - there’s not much variety to his punching repertoire and he tires against opponents who can match him for size and consistently press - but Jalolov is still too good for anyone at the weight to beat him.
DAVIT CHALOYAN
Armenia, 24 years old, 2021 AIBA World Championship silver-medallist
Davit Chaloyan should have been crowned world champion in Belgrade, only to be robbed against Russia’s Mark Petrovskii in what was one of the worst decisions in recent memory. The Armenian edged past Lazizbek Mullojonov before outpointing Azerbaijan’s Mahammed Abdullayev to reach the final, and he looked set for gold after battering Petrovskii in the opening two rounds. Somehow though, four of the judges scored the second for Petrovskii in a case of either gross incompetence or blatant corruption, and the Russian got the nod in a scrappy third round to take a 3:2 split decision. Whilst Chaloyan deserved the win, I’m still not sure about his gold-medal prospects in Paris - the Armenian is the clear #2 at super-heavyweight weight right now, but he’s good rather than great and I’d favour Jalolov over him. The pair met back in 2017 with Jalolov winning a unanimous decision, although Chaloyan was inexperienced at the time and he’s improved a lot since then. It’s the only fight that’s particularly interesting at the weight, at least until someone else comes through, so I’d like to see them square off again at some point.
JAKHONGIR ZOKIROV
Uzbekistan, 18 years old, 2021 AIBA Youth Super-Heavyweight World Champion
Jalolov’s heir apparent, 18 year-old Jakhongir Zokirov has been tipped to succeed his countryman as the dominant force at super-heavyweight in a few years time, and the two share plenty in common besides their nationality. A 6’7 southpaw whose game primarily revolves around the 1-2, Zokirov won gold at the Youth World Championships and became national champion for the first time in 2021, although there’s still a lot of things that need to be addressed if he’s going to succeed at the elite level. The young Uzbek is more flat-footed than Jalolov and tends to lean in with his punches, something which may well get him into trouble at some point, and his gas tank is also a point of concern - against Kazakhstan’s Amanat Sabyrgali, Zokirov was practically out on his feet by the third round and looked on the verge of capitulating. Whilst that bout was fought at a pretty high pace for this division’s standards, it’s worth bearing in mind. All things considered Zokirov definitely has potential, I’m just not sure whether he’ll fulfil it. Then again, this is super-heavyweight; he probably doesn’t have to.
Honourable mentions; Lazizbek Mullojonov (UZB), Mark Petrovskii (RUS), Delicious Orie (ENG), Abner Teixeira (BRA), Moses Itauma (ENG)