Boxing News
Tokyo Olympic Silver Medalist Included: Five Underrated Cruiserweight Boxers to Look Out for in 2024
Tokyo Olympic Silver Medalist Included: Five Underrated Cruiserweight Boxers to Look 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 following our look at the featherweight division, we are now looking at five underrated cruiserweight boxers to watch out for in 2024.
Underrated Cruiserweight Fighters to Look Out For
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Muslim Gadzhimagomedov
Despite having only three professional bouts, Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (3-0, 2 KOs) has already shown promise as a cruiserweight. In his most recent outing in the United Arab Emirates, he got an eighth-round stoppage victory over former world title challenger Artur Mann.
Gadzhimagomedov is also an accomplished amateur. He is a silver medalist from the Tokyo Olympics – and a two-time World Championship gold medalist. It appears the Russian is now focusing solely on his professional career. Given that he last fought a former world title challenger in a 10-rounder, it may not be long before fight fans see him challenging for world honours.
Tristan Kalkreuth
Making his professional debut at only 17 years of age, Tristan Kalkreuth (12-1, 9 KOs) is now just over four years into his career. He signed with Golden Boy Promotions in 2019 and continues to fight on their shows. Despite a unanimous decision loss to Demetrius Banks in 2021 that saw him fight while injured, Kalkreuth seems to have rebounded and is now on a four-right win streak.
“Sweet T” is currently at the stage of his career where he is fighting eight-rounders. Still only 22, there is plenty of time for Kalkreuth to develop and have a promising run at cruiserweight.
Cheavon Clarke
Cheavon Clarke (7-0, 5 KOs) initially competed for Jamaica as an amateur, featuring for them at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. He then switched allegiances to Great Britain and even represented the country at the Tokyo Olympics. “C4” began his pro career in early 2022.
Clarke is set to face Tommy McCarthy on Jan. 27. Should he emerge victorious on that night, a world title shot could be on the cards for later in 2024. Given Clarke is 34, expect him to make a serious push towards world honours this year.
Michał Soczyński
A cruiserweight from Lubin, Poland, Michał Soczyński (8-0, 5 KOs) has fought in the United Kingdom in addition to his country of birth. As a Queensberry fighter, fans can expect to see him fight in Poland and the UK. Still only 25, “Soczek” has plenty of time to develop into a top cruiserweight.
Soczyński recently moved to 10-rounders against Mariano Gudiño, stopping his Argentinian opponent in three. Fans can expect the opposition to improve while “Soczek” continues fighting ten and 12-rounders.
David Nyika
David Nyika (8-0, 7 KOs) represented New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics, claiming bronze. His career has so far seen him fight professionally in his native New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia. “The Nice Guy” is currently fighting eight-rounders and the opposition should only get better in 2024.
With a height of 6’6″, opponents will struggle to find a way to beat Nyika. His amateur background will be another factor that makes the bronze medallist a difficult fighter to beat. Despite being only eight fights into his professional career, Nyika has already shown that he is a fighter to watch.
Check out our 5 underrated flyweight boxers to watch out for in 2024.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.