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Five Underrated Heavyweight Boxers to Look Out for in 2024 Including ‘The Big Uzbek’
Five Underrated Heavyweight Boxers to Look Out for in 2024 Including ‘The Big Uzbek’
As we look back on the memorable fights of 2023, it’s time to look forward to the next 12 months. Big Fight Weekend is bringing back the underrated series, and we are now looking at five underrated heavyweight boxers to watch out for in 2024.
Underrated Heavyweight Fighters to Look Out For
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Bakhodir Jalolov
An Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Championship winner, Bakhodir Jalolov (14-0, 14 KOs) is one of the most promising heavyweights in the world. At the moment, he goes back and forth between the amateur and pro ranks. However, he has spoken about fully transitioning to professional boxing following the Paris Olympics.
A 6’7″ southpaw, many future opponents of Jalolov will struggle against him due to his size and skill set. “The Big Uzbek” has a promotional deal with Top Rank, and fight fans can expect many of his future bouts to take place in the United States following the 2024 Olympics.
Moses Itauma
Still only 19 years old, Moses Itauma (7-0, 5 KOs) is coming off of an active first year in professional boxing. He has even fought abroad, appearing on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s win over Francis Ngannou. Itauma’s promoter, Frank Warren, believes that the teenager has what it takes to become “a record-breaking world champion.”
Time will tell whether the Brit ever becomes a world champion, but he has already made an impression. All of his stoppages have come in the opening round. The two times Itauma went the distance – he won every single round. This year should see him continue his development and step up the opposition.
Federico Pacheco Jr.
Also 19 years of age, Federico Pacheco Jr. (5-0, 4 KOs) is another heavyweight to watch out for. The younger brother of Diego Pacheco is in the early stages of his career but has already been on Matchroom undercards. This year should be interesting for the teenager as he continues to develop.
As Diego’s younger brother, fight fans can expect Pacheco to continue featuring on Matchroom undercards. He still has plenty of time to develop into a top heavyweight. Expect to hear more of him in the years to come.
Justis Huni
Justis Huni (8-0, 4 KOs) is a heavyweight from Australia who should have a promising career ahead. In his first professional fight, he fought for and won the Australian heavyweight title. After signing with Matchroom, he made his promotional debut on the undercard of O’Shaquie Foster’s knockout victory over Eduardo Hernández.
“JPH” should be more active this year and move towards contender status. It should only be a matter of time before he mixes it with the best in the division.
Richard Torrez Jr.
An Olympic silver medalist (he lost to Jalolov in the finals of the Tokyo Olympics), Richard Torrez Jr. (8-0, 8 KOs) has stayed active since turning professional. He recently moved to eight-rounders and should move to 10-rounders sometime in 2024. Given Top Rank’s sizeable heavyweight stable, expect Torrez to be in some intriguing matchups in the coming years.
The Tulare native may not be as tall as other heavyweight contenders (he stands at 6’2″), but that has not prevented him from stopping all eight opponents. Fight fans should expect to see improvement in his competition this year. Still only 24, there is plenty of time for him to develop into a top contender.
