Connect with us

Boxing

Future boxing stands out: Xander Zayas, Martin Bakole, more

Published

1 year ago

on

Since ESPN has published his annual list of future distinguished in every boxing division, many of these fighters have approached winning the championships over the past year.

Agit in heavyweight Kabayel will face Zhilei Zhang on February 22 for the WBC ephemeral belt, and the younger average weight Vergil Ortiz Jr. He also has a chance to get the WBC ephemeral title when he participates in Ismaila Madrimova on the same combat card. Christian Mbilli in the Super Middle weight raised second place in the rankings of the ESPN division just behind the United Champion Canelo Alvarez, and the younger lightweight Henry Lebron looks like another star Puerto Rican.

The list for 2025 is also full of talent. Martin Bakole dominated Jared Anderson last year and is in a queue to get sensible fights in the heavyweight ward dominated by Oleksandr Utyk. His name was listed as the potential opponent of former master Anthony Joshua and pretender Efe Ajagba. The super average weight of Osley Iglesias has a sedate blow and has already won the secondary title, while Junior Middle Wweight Xander Zayas looked better and better with every fight. How long, before he wins his opportunity?

Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington was on the list last year and won four impressive victories. He fights again in March and will have the opportunity to show his entertainment style, using angles and fencing to manipulate opponents to costly mistakes. And the delicate Abdullah Mason is probably the one who has the greatest potential at the age of 20 with a comical, effective style.

Here is a full list of this year’s “hidden gems”.

Heavyweight (200+): Martin Bakole

Record: 21-1-1, 16 kos- Age: 33 – Stance: Orthodox – Height: 6 feet-6

Bakole from the Republic of Congo introduces an impressive presence on the ring with an explosive force in the legs, power in both hands and the ability to throw quick combinations for moving purposes. Bakole’s unique style and skills allow him to quickly close the distance, which increases the difficulty for his opponents and increases the versatility of his approach. Bakole also seems to have an endless strength supply that drives its readiness for intensive exchanges. I only need an opportunity to prove his belief that he is one of the best heavyweight in the world.

Next fight: TBA

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Richard Torrez Jr. explains how to defeat Sanchez

Published

1 hour ago

on

May 15, 2026

By

Image: Richard Torrez Jr. Says Pressure Can Break Down Frank Sanchez

Richard Torrez Jr. says Frank Sanchez remains a hazardous opponent ahead of their IBF heavyweight eliminator on May 23 in Egypt, but believes the pressure and pace could ultimately break Sanchez.

Torrez discussed Sanchez during an interview this week ahead of their fight at the Glory at Giza event near the Giza Pyramids.


“You know, I think Frank, being of Cuban descent, has that Cuban style. He can box and box when he needs to,” Torrez Jr. said. in the podcast Mr. Verzace in Ring Magazine.

“I think he has a very mighty backhand. I think he knows how to kind of put you to sleep in the moment where he can hit the shot he wants.”

“And he’s really good at dictating the pace.

“But I think he lacks pace. If you’re able to take control of it and put pressure on him and impose your will on him, I think that’s where things start to fundamentally break down in the game plan.”

“I think we saw that with Kabayel and I think that’s something I’ll kind of emulate and what I’m already doing in my fights.”

Sanchez comes into the fight after suffering the first loss of his career to Agit Kabayel last year. Their fight ended after Sanchez suffered leg problems during the fight.

Torrez also addressed Sanchez’s recent knee problem, which caused the qualifiers to be postponed earlier this year.

“But Frank, I’m going out there preparing for the best. I’m going out there preparing for Frank, who has two great knees.

“That’s the Frank I hope to see because I want to fight the best. I don’t want to fight someone who is at 60%.

Undefeated Torrez will enter the fight with a record of 13-0 and 11 knockouts. Sanchez with a 25-1 record and 18 knockouts heading into the heavyweight eliminator.

Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter

Related boxing news:

Categories Latest

Last updated: 15/05/2026 at 2:03

Continue Reading

Boxing

The WBA made a last-minute decision on Usyk’s world title just days before his fight with Rico Verhoeven

Published

3 hours ago

on

May 15, 2026

By

WBA make last minute decision on Usyk’s world title just days before Rico Verhoeven fight

With only nine days left until Oleksandr Usyk defends his WBC heavyweight world title against Rico Verhoeven, the WBA federation has decided to allow him to defend his belt as well.

Rico Verhoeven, considered a Dutch kickboxing legend, boasts a professional boxing record of just 1-0; that victory came over 12 years ago against Janos Finfera, who was 0-5 at the time.

As a result, when his unconventional fight with Usyk was announced, it was not expected that the undefeated Ukrainian’s belts would be in danger, and yet although the position of the WBA and IBF was unclear, the WBC controversially agreed to sanction the fight as a fight for the world heavyweight title.

This has led to speculation that the WBA and IBF may strip Usyk of his titles along with Murat Gassiev [WBA] and the winner of the Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez Jr. fight. [IBF] he will likely benefit from this and either be elevated to champion status or set up for a free title fight in their respective bodies.

However, in an intriguing yet confusing twist, The WBA suddenly announced the terms of the “title fight” after a “special request”. They have now determined that Usyk’s victory will count as a successful title defense, but if Verhoeven were to create such an unusual situation, “the WBA Championship Committee will then review his [Usyk’s] status’.

“If Usyk emerges victorious, the fight will be officially recognized as a successful title defense. If the champion loses, the WBA Championship Committee will review his status and determine the next course of action regarding the heavyweight championship.”

Therefore, while Usyk can officially retain his WBA heavyweight title with a triumph next Saturday, unranked Verhoeven will not be able to claim the belt.

Although the WBA revealed that a victory for Verhoeven would allow him to enter its heavyweight rankings.

Continue Reading

Boxing

“Dana’s daddy is Turki Alalshikh”

Published

5 hours ago

on

May 14, 2026

By

Image: Turki Alalshikh's New Directive: Riyadh Season Cards to Exclusively Showcase All-Action Fighters Committed to Entertainment

Jordan argued that the reality behind the proposed Joshua vs. Fury fight differs significantly from public statements, before explaining why he believed the event was already taking place outside the normal promotional structure.

“With all due respect, but first and foremost, the reasons why there is enough money to do this is, as we both know and have discussed many times, that both Tyson and Joshua have slightly different deals with their promoters than other fighters because they are not subject to a broadcasting obligation,” Simon said on talkSport Boxing.

“So when Tyson Fury does a deal, he doesn’t necessarily have to be on a broadcaster that Frank Warren or Eddie Hearn is contracted to.

“Where is this fight? Netflix, right?

“So with all due respect and I mean no disrespect to either Frank or Eddie, neither of them are promoting it.

“It’s a deal with Netflix that ultimately includes some of Turki Alalshikh’s money, so Dana is throwing her two pence into the ring.

“But Eddie promotes AJ and Frank promotes Tyson, so they must be involved.”

Jordan then suggested that White’s connection to Turki Alalshikh is the reason the UFC boss is publicly discussing the fight.

“Dana’s daddy will promote it, i.e. Turki Alalshikh” – said Simon.

Both Joshua and Fury are expected to return to the ring ahead of their scheduled showdown later this year, with Joshua scheduled to fight on July 25, with Fury also discussing a return fight.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending