There is a strong argument to be made which would suggest that boxing has never been as healthy as a sport as it is now. With a number of exciting boxers across the weight divisions thanks to the likes of Anthony Joshua, Vasyl Lomachenko and Canelo Alvarez, fans are being treated like never before due to their explosive styles.
With so many bouts scheduled for the next few months, boxing fans are set for a treat. Here are three men who could be the next global superstars if it all lands right for them in 2019.
Naoya Inoue
Despite being a world champion, Japan’s unbeaten bantamweight Naoua Inoue hasn’t quite been recognized as much as he should have thus far in his career. The WBA champion is number seven in The Ring’s pound-for-pound list, which tells you everything you need to know about how good he is.
Inoue won his world crown last May by stopping Jamie McDonnell in the first round in Toyko to secure a world title at three different weight divisions.
The ‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue is coming to Glasgow: https://t.co/LiDDWQ3Pah pic.twitter.com/Z9KQLvRSCn
— Boxing News (@BoxingNewsED) February 14, 2019
‘Monster’ has the opportunity to unify the IBF title to his WBA crown later this month when he takes on Emmanuel Rodriguez, where both men will be putting their unbeaten records on the line in the semi-final of the World Boxing Super Series in their division. Victory for the Japanese star will surely ensure he demands a lot more credit than he has had so far.
Regis Prograis
Regis Prograis is the 8/15 favorite in the latest boxing betting with bet365 for the super-lightweight World Boxing Super Series this year. If he is victorious in the competition, he is sure to be considered as one of the leading pound-for-pound boxers on the planet.
Prograis is unbeaten in 24 contests since turning professional, and he has recently had good wins over former world champion Terry Flanagan and Kiryl Relikh, the latter he stopped in the sixth round to claim the WBA light-welterweight title in Louisiana last month.
The American will meet the winner of the fight between Josh Taylor and Ivan Baranchyk in the final of the World Boxing Super Series. If he wins that tournament, it should help him to elevate his global profile.
Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk is already a huge name in boxing as he is the unified cruiserweight champion, after beating Murat Gassiev to secure all four major belts last July. The Ukrainian has a fantastic opportunity to be the biggest name in the sport if he can transfer his success to the heavyweight division.
Oleksandr Usyk will make his heavyweight debut against Carlos Takam at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland on May 25, live on Sky Sports.
More: https://t.co/wBPjJi9wg9 pic.twitter.com/T0iM8QNLhn
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) April 5, 2019
Usyk is set to make his heavyweight debut later this month when he comes up against the experienced Carlos Takam. If he comes through that test, there are some huge fights for him to become involved in, none bigger than a clash with Joshua who currently holds three of the belts in the division.
The former Olympic gold medallist is fully aware of the interest the heavyweight division has, and if he is able to remain unbeaten at the highest level, he could go down as one of the greatest of his generation as the 32-year-old looks to have it all!
