Five Underrated Flyweight Boxers to Watch Out for in 2024
As we look back on the memorable fights of 2023, it’s time to look forward to next year. Big Fight Weekend is bringing back the underrated series and now looks at five underrated flyweights to watch out for in 2024.
Underrated Flyweights to Look Out For
How to Watch Upcoming Flyweight Fights
- Select a VPN service that is optimized for streaming. We recommend PIA VPN.
- Download the VPN and connect to the server from more than 80 countries
- Log in to a boxing streaming service.
- Stream it no matter where you are!
Dave Apolinario
Dave Apolinario (19-0, 13 KOs) is a flyweight fighter from the Philippines. In 2023, he signed a co-promotional deal with Ohashi Promotions, promoters of undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue. As a result, “Dobermann” has fought in Japan and has another fight scheduled there in February.
2024 should be a year in which Apolinario stamps his authority in the flyweight division. Fight fans can anticipate him getting a title shot sometime later in the year or in 2025.
Yankiel Rivera
Puerto Rico’s only boxing representative at the Tokyo Olympics was a flyweight. Yankiel Rivera (4-0, 2 KOs) signed a promotional deal with Matchroom and has had two fights with them so far. He made his Matchroom debut on the undercard of Amanda Serrano-Erika Cruz.
Rivera’s last fight took place in June 2023. He currently has no bout scheduled for this year. An active 2024 would help the Puerto Rican jump into the rankings and mix with the best at flyweight.
Ángel Ayala
Ángel Ayala (17-0, 7 KOs) is a Mexican flyweight who has already claimed victories over former world champions Cristofer Rosales and Felix Alvarado (this one controversially, however). Although only 23 years old – he holds top five rankings with two major sanctioning bodies.
A world title shot should be forthcoming for the Mexican contender. Boxing fans can expect to hear more about Ayala in the months to come.
Chloe Watson
Chloe Watson (7-0, 0 KOs) finished 2023 off by claiming the European flyweight championship. Fighting out of the United Kingdom, she has risen through the ranks relatively quickly and is knocking on the doors of a world title shot.
Watson is trained by none other than Ricky Hatton. A long-term goal – she has set for herself is to face current unified minimumweight champion Seniesa Estrada.
Seigo Yuri Akui
Seigo Yuri Akui (18-2-1, 11 KOs) already has a title shot against Artem Dalakian in January. Since a loss to Jaysever Abcede in late 2018, he has won six fights in a row. The Japanese fighter is fighting for a world title for the very first time against Dalakian.
Akui has fought two world champions previously. He lost via sixth-round knockout to Junto Nakatani in 2017 and stopped Masamichi Yabuki in round one in 2018.
