Boxing’s most avoided fighters, including unbeaten heavyweight contender

Boxing continues to provide many memorable moments, and since Turki Alalshikh entered the sport, we have seen many fighters get their opportunity and dream fights made.

Some boxers are still avoided, and we look at three fighters who are feared.

Most avoided fighters in boxing – Agit Kabayel

The first name on our list is one of the most dangerous fighters in the heavyweight division. Agit Kabayel (26-0, 18 KOs) made his professional debut back in 2011, but hasn’t been the most active.

His most notable win came against Derek Chisora before he burst onto the scene during Riyadh Season, stopping then-unbeaten Arslanbek Makhmudov. Since then, wins over Frank Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang have left the German fighter in the world title mix.

Kabayel is a relentless fighter who impressively goes through the gears. A strong body puncher who mixes his shots well. What comes next for the dangerous German remains to be seen, but few heavyweight rivals seem eager to face the heavy-handed 33-year-old.

Bakhram Murtazaliev

Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) is another who has suffered with inactivity, and often found it difficult to find an opponent.

After beating Roberto Valenzuela Jr in 2022, the Russian fighter didn’t return until 2024, stopping Jack Culcay in the 11th round of a close fight to win the vacant IBF super welterweight title. Murtazaliev took multiple step-asides to allow unification fights for Jermell Charlo, for whom the Russian was a mandatory challenger.

Murtazaliev then defended his title against Tim Tszyu, knocking the Aussie fighter down three times and winning by third-round TKO. With no fight in 2025 so far, it remains to be seen what he will do next – but after the Tszyu demolition, Murtazaliev is one of the most avoided fighters in boxing.

Shakiel Thompson

One of the most avoided fighters in boxing is the dangerous British middleweight Shakiel Thompson (15-0, 11 KOs). “Dr Steel” is one of the most avoided boxers, with professional fighter Reece Mould saying: “He is good, that is why he is avoided.” 

“In the real boxing world, everyone knows how hard he is to beat, but he is not a big, massive domestic name.

“And that is why he is not getting the fights he deserves.”

“He will have to force himself into a mandatory position to force the big fight,” added Mould.

Thompson has seen a number of fights fail to materialize, but he continues to impress in the ring, winning his last five by stoppage, including a stoppage win against the usually durable Grant Dennis last time.

A heavy-handed southpaw, the Sheffield native is a nightmare to face, and it’s easy to see why few are eager to fight him. But if he carries on winning, fighters will have to face “Dr Steel,” one of the most avoided fighters in boxing.