Plenty of United Kingdom boxing talent has been on show throughout the years as the likes of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury take center stage at heavyweight.
Further down the list is where Great Britain has begun to struggle of late.
There was a time when the UK held almost a quarter of the World Boxing News Pound for Pound Top 50 ratings. But things have changed in recent years.
Only Joshua and Fury are joined by super-middleweight king Callum Smith, Josh Warrington, and two-time world champion James DeGale.
Gone are the days when British shores boasted thirteen world champions. When Ricky Burns, Anthony Crolla, Jamie McDonnell, and Frampton all ruled the world.
So who is the next crop of world titleholders? – And who could be the next superstar?
WBN rounds up who to look out for in the coming months and years.
HEAVYWEIGHT
The most talk-about young heavyweight in the UK is Daniel Dubois. Many see the youngster’s knockout power as the key to future success and an entertaining run to the top.
Although 33 years old, there are also high hopes for Joe Joyce, who won an Olympic silver medal in 2016, which should have been gold.
CRUISERWEIGHT
Lawrence Okolie is the first and only name to jump out from the cruiserweight ranks. Promoter Eddie Hearn is adamant Okolie will be a world champion.
LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT
Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi are the golden boys of Frank Warren and Hearn, respectively. Both should step up in class soon after working their way through the domestic scene of late.
A couple of years behind Yarde and Buatsi are Willy Hutchinson and Kody Davies, two hot prospects down the line.
SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT
As Callum Smith reigns supreme and could be a two-weight world titleholder of the future, the 168-pound division is currently stacked with fighters in their late 20’s and early 30’s.
Zach Parker holds the honor of having the Lonsdale Belt around his waist. It remains to be seen how far the undefeated fighter can go.
MIDDLEWEIGHT
England has an established star at 160 in Billy Joe Saunders. But beyond that, it’s tough to nail down who could stand out from the crowd.
Felix Cash remains without a blemish and recently won the Commonwealth title. Whilst Liam Williams is on the up following a move north in weight and is still only 26.
SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT
With Kell Brook and Liam Smith in their 30’s, it could be down to Anthony Fowler to fly the UK flag at the top level in the coming years.
Fowler has a great amateur pedigree and faces his toughest test to date on March 30 against fellow undefeated Scott Fitzgerald.
WELTERWEIGHT
Josh Kelly has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of current UK number one Amir Khan. Kelly certainly has the looks and skills to make it to the highest level and become a household name.
Further afield, Conor Benn still holds an ‘0’ but suffered a stuttering 2018. Many see a lack of defensive awareness as the downfall to any prospective world title reign.
SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT
Josh Taylor is on the cusp of winning a world title and has taken over from Ricky Burns as Scotland’s top name. Another tipped for top-level success is Jack Catterall.
BELOW 140
Joe Cordina (Lightweight) is already considered a world champion in the making. Jordan Gill (Featherweight) is making waves under Dave Coldwell domestically. Sunny Edwards (Super-Flyweight) is looking to follow in the footsteps of brother Charlie. And Andrew Selby (Flyweight), likewise with elder sibling Lee.
Top 15 Ranked:
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Josh Taylor
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Lawrence Okolie
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Joshua Buatsi
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Josh Kelly
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Andrew Selby
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Joe Joyce
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Joe Cordina
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Anthony Fowler
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Jack Catterall
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Daniel Dubois
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Anthony Yarde
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Willy Hutchinson
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Kody Davies
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Felix Cash
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Sunny Edwards
