The stars of tomorrow – UK's Top-20 Under-10’s
The following list is compiled of the UK's top prospects that have fought in less than 10 fights.
We capped it at under-10 because from double figures onwards, the focus turns from learning to title fights and headliners, plus there's such a wealth of talent to choose from in the under-10's category.
The talented roster is a bright and positive indication of the next generation of talent coming through.
These fledgling pro's could be the stars of the future so keep an eye out for these guys in 2018.
1. Daniel Dubois (6-0)
This 20-year-old wrecking ball has demolished all six of his opponents – with a combined record of 52-15-1 – by the second-round and picked up two titles in the process – the Southern Area and WBC Youth World heavyweight titles.
2. Lawrence Okolie (7-0)
The prolific cruiserweight has raced to a 7-0 unbeaten record with six KO’s all within nine months, stopping his first four opponents in the first round. The Rio 2016 Olympian, known as ‘The Sauce’, headlines on February 3rd against rival Isaac Chamberlain.
3. Lyndon Arthur (9-0)
Of his nine opponents, only Andy Neylon on ‘King Arthur’s’ debut in September 2016 managed to hear the final bell. The Mancunian is only 26 but seems to be in a rush so expect to see him involved in title fights next year.
4. Sam Ball (9-0)
Former national amateur champion, who gave Josh Taylor one of his hardest fights, has already won the Scottish Area welterweight title and next faces unbeaten Michael McGurk for the Celtic super-welterweight belt.
5. Joshua Buatsi (3-0)
The Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist has stopped two of his trio of opponents, all in six-rounders.
6. Joe Joyce (1-0)
‘The Juggernaut’ took on and stopped former Southern Area heavyweight champion Ian Lewison on his debut last October.
7. Anthony Fowler (4-0)
Commonwealth Games gold medalist was already a boxing star before turning pro and racking up four victories in his debut year in 2017. The 26-year-old super-welterweight from Liverpool has stopped three of his four foes, and a little-known fact about ‘The Machine’ is that he is a cousin of former Liverpool FC striker, Robbie Fowler.
8. Josh Kelly (5-0)
‘Pretty Boy’ has KO’d four of his five opponents – all with winning records – and is still just 23-years-old. The European Bronze medalist from Sunderland stunned everyone when he demolished Northern Area welterweight contender Tom Whitfield with about a dozen unanswered successive left hooks within the first eighty-seconds of their fight.
9. Joe Cordina (6-0)
The Rio 2016 Olympian has stopped five of his six ring opponents, all between April and December this year.
10. Felix Cash (7-0)
Former Team GB boxer is unbeaten in seven with five KO’s. Fowler was above him in the pecking order for the last Olympics but has swiftly adapted to the pros to rack up the wins without the Olympic Games experience behind him.
11. Isaac Chamberlain (9-0)
‘Chambo’ has already landed the Southern Area cruiserweight title and next faces unbeaten Lawrence Okolie in February 2017.
12. Scott Fitzgerald (8-0)
Heavy-handed ‘Fitzy’ has recorded six stoppages from eight victories, his last triumph coming over former Commonwealth super-welterweight champion Bradley Pryce.
13.Louis Greene (8-0)
‘The Medway Mauler’, named after his boxing hero Jack Dempsey, is the new Southern Area welterweight champion as of October this year, with a win over Freddy Kiwitt at the York Hall. Signed to JE Promotions, the 25-year-old from Strood is lining up an English title shot in 2017.
14. Nathan Thorley (9-0)
‘Thunder’ grabbed the vacant Welsh Area light-heavyweight title with a conclusive second-round stoppage of Jermain Asare to end the year with.
15. Tyrone McCullagh (9-0)
‘White Chocolate’ took down unbeaten Tom Tran in his last fight to end the year unbeaten in nine contests with five KO’s.
16. Chris Kongo (7-0)
‘2Slick’ Chris has racked up a septet of wins with a quintet of KO’s. His triumphs have all come against the usual suspects but the 24-year-old Bermondsey boxer has managed to stop the awkward journeymen who are all experts at coming through scraps unscathed.
17. Brad Pauls (8-0)
‘The Newquay Bomb’ has smashed through eight opponents as a pro and ended the contests early on five occasions. The 24-year-old middleweight steps up to face Southern Area title contender Diego Burton in a 10-round eliminator next.
18. Sunny Edwards (6-0)
Charlie’s younger brother is following in his footsteps, with a brace of knockouts in six contests, culminating in claiming the WBO European super-flyweight title with a fourth-round TKO of unbeaten Ross Murray last November.
19. Zak Chelli (3-0)
Fulham super-middleweight signed to Frank Warren is an exciting fighter to watch and will inevitability progress to good things in 2018.
20. Haroon Khan (7-0)
Amir’s younger brother has come back with a bang in 2017 with first and second-round KO victories after three years out of the ring.
The next 20 to watch out for:
Michael Conlan (5-0)
After being robbed at the last Olympics, Mick has won all five fights with four ending early, while signed to Bob Arum’s Top Rank in America.
Feargal McCrory (7-0)
Northern Ireland super-featherweight has plenty of power with four early finishes in his seven contests.
Kian Thomas (8-0)
Kentish Town welterweight, signed to Goodwin Promotions, has KO’d half of his opponents and recorded wins abroad in Spain and Finland.
Gavin Gwynne (8-0)
27-year-old Treharris prospect finished the year as the Welsh Area lightweight champion.
Ukashir Farooq (8-0)
‘Untouchable’ landed the Scottish Area bantamweight title with an eighth-round stoppage of Scott Allan in November. The Pakistan-born Glaswegian is now ranked in the top-10 in the UK and still just 21-years-old!
Lucas Balingall (8-0)
Portsmouth’s unbeaten 21-year-old super-featherweight prospect has notched up eight wins from eight in two-and-a-half years and next takes on unbeaten Karl Kelly in Belfast next February.
Isaac Macloed (9-0)
22-year-old welterweight from Sunderland has almost reached double figures in his first three years as a pro. The Sunderland 147-pounder narrowly defeated unbeaten Danny Craven at the Echo Arena last September.
Lewis Crocker (4-0)
Four wins from four – all stoppages. ‘The Croc’ is eating through his opponents and still only 20-years-old!
Ekow Essuman (6-0)
Botswana-born Essuman has raced to six wins in his debut year as a paid puncher. The 28-year-old welterweight from Nottingham has already experienced an eight-rounder when he defeated Cameroonian Serge Ambomo in October 2017.
Chris Billam-Smith (4-0)
'The Gentleman' from Bournemouth has blasted out all four opponents in within two-rounds. The former Engliah amateur heavyweight champion is now wrecking his way through the professional cruiserweight division under the guidance of the McGuigan's.
Oli Edwards (6-0)
Kent middleweight prospect Edwards honed his craft from the amateur code to the professional ranks at Ray Askew’s Invicta Gym.
Adam Harper (8-0)
Tewkesbury’s 29-year-old prospect beat undefeated Ryan Kelly last May to be crowned Midlands Area super-welterweight champion.
Jack Cullen (8-0)
‘Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ finished 2017 with two consecutive stoppages after racking up six straight points wins since his debut in October 2016. The 24-year-old from Bolton has fought eight times in just over a year, even fighting twice in December last year just two weeks apart.
Lewis Benson (9-0)
‘Kid Caramel’ is unbeaten in nine at just 26-years-old, and will be due a step up in class in 2017.
Jordan King (9-0)
The 25-year-old super-middleweight has only fought nine times in four years but remains unbeaten.
James Thomson (9-0)
Scotland’s super-lightweight has nine wins in three-and-a-half years as a pro against all the usual suspects.
Charlie Williams (8-0-1)
West Midlander Williams was crowned Midlands Area lightweight champion in October with an eighth-round TKO win over Nottinghamshire’s Nathan Kirk at Villa Park.
Linus Udofia (6-0)
This Nigerian-born 24-year-old middleweight has stopped half of his opponents during 2016 and 2017, linng up potential title fights in 2018.
Richard Riakporhe (5-0)
27-year-old crusierweight from London has stopped four of his five opponents – three in the opening round and one in the second.
Nathan Wheatley (7-0)
‘The Wire’ from Warrington is unbeaten in seven bouts, all points wins. Now under the guidance of Matthew Hatton, dropping down a division to middleweight, and sparring with names such as Liam, Callum and Paul Smith; Martin Murray; Rocky Fielding; the 28-year-old is one to watch in 2018.