Five Featherweight Fighters to Watch in 2025

The history of the featherweight division is littered with great fighters, such as Prince Naseem Hamed, Salvador Sanchez and the legendary Willie Pep. Here are five fighters from the division to watch out for in the next 12 months and beyond.

Featherweight Boxing: Top Fighters to Watch in 2025

Featherweight Boxing: Keisuke Matsumoto

Unbeaten 25-year-old Keisuke Matsumoto (12-0, 8 KOs) is fast making a name for himself in the featherweight division. He controls the distance and temp of his fights, with his slick footwork and fast hand speed. He times his shots impressively and mixes his attacks well between the head and body. A step up in opposition surely beckons for Matsumoto in 2025.

Arnold Khegai

Arnold Khegai (21-1-1, 13 KOs) is a threat to the featherweight division, only tasting defeat once against eventual unified champion Stephen Fulton. The Ukrainian varies his punches impressively and throws with intent. When signing with Top Rank earlier in 2024, Bob Arum spoke on Khegai: Arnold Khegai is one of the very best featherweights in the world, and he deserves an opportunity to prove himself at the championship level.”  

Kenji Fujita

Kenji Fujita (7-0, 3 KOs), a ten-time national amateur champ, has impressed whenever seen in the professional ranks. The 30-year-old is a speedy southpaw – who moves well and throws from angles effectively. His footwork ensures he closes the distance effectively before letting his shots go. He returns to action on January 18, facing Michael Casama.

Hopey Price

Hopey Price (12-0, 5 KOs) has endured a frustrating year, undergoing surgery on a serious hand injury. Following no fights in 2024, Price will be eager to return to action in 2025. The Leeds fighter is a talented featherweight who showed his ability and spirit in his come-from-behind win over Conor Coghill in 2023. He is patient in his work and controls the distance well, fighting long, and using his jab.

Mikito Nakano

The final name on our list is 29-year-old Japanese southpaw Mikito Nakano (11-0, 10 KOs). His amateur pedigree ensures he selects his shots with patience and accuracy. Many amateurs struggle to show power in the professional ranks, but Nakano sits down on his punches and throws with serious intent. He is a front-foot fighter who is a superb body puncher. Could 2025 be his year?