26 boxers under 26 poised to break through in 2026: From elite amateurs to tomorrow's world champs

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I’ve covered boxing in Britain, the Middle East and the United States. Regardless of location, there has always been one thing that grips my interest in the sport: the youth.

Whenever we feel the need to bemoan the state of boxing — and the sport’s dysfunction often leaves it open to self-inflicted criticism — one needs only to look at lists like these to be reminded that it isn't all bad.

Boxing cannot be dead, or even dying, if it is left in the hands of breakthrough fighters.

And so, as we look ahead to the coming year, Uncrowned identified 26 fighters under 26 years old who are poised to make the next leap in their respective careers in 2026. Whether that’s an elite amateur continuing a fledgling pro career, a gifted novice becoming a contender, or a fast-riser chasing a world title, these names will define the next era. There is even room for current titleholders to grow into household names, and we have those covered too.

The future of the sport belongs to them. Keep scrolling to find out why.

ELITE AMATEUR CONVERTS

Javokhir Ummataliev (1-0-0, 0 KOs): 20-year-old lightweight

Shakur Stevenson was long considered a southpaw version of Floyd Mayweather. In a similar vein, because of his elite jab and technical craft, Javokhir Ummataliev could be the leftie equivalent of Dmitry Bivol. Promoter Frank Warren described the young Uzbek as a special talent and promised he'd rise fast. This year we may get to see the proof.

Marco Verde (4-0-0, 2 KOs): 23-year-old middleweight

The Mexican youngster is already revered in his homeland, touted by veterans like Oscar Valdez as the country’s next great fighter, and somebody who, perhaps, could take the baton from Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. He debuted four times in 2025 and is set for a breakout in 2026.

Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev (1-0-0, 1 KO): 24-year-old welterweight

A gold medal magnet as an amateur, including his triumph at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Muydinkhujaev made his pro debut in 2025 after signing terms with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions. His footwork and movement belie his age, and his precision from southpaw should cause carnage even at the elite level as a pro. 2026 could be the year he makes world boxing sit up and take notice, if they hadn’t already.

Nishant Dev (5-0-0, 3 KOs): 25-year-old super welterweight

India is renowned as a cricket-loving nation, but if Nishant Dev, at age 25, can capture even a fraction of that audience — from a 1.4 billion population — then he could shatter boxing’s viewing records. With his amateur pedigree and 6-foot-1 frame, Dev could be one of Matchroom's most astute signings as the UK-based company plots his ascent in the 154-pound division.

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FAST-RISING PROSPECTS

Juanmita Lopez (4-0-0, 2 KOs): 20-year-old super flyweight 

A Peter Kahn-managed prospect, Juan Manuel Lopez de Jesus — the son of famous world champion boxer Juanma Lopez — represented Puerto Rico at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, debuted in 2025, and is signed with Top Rank. When it comes to matchmaking, there are few hands more skilled at developing the sport’s next top fighters.

Zaquin Moses (5-0-0, 3 KOs): 20-year-old super featherweight

For all the hype Curmel Moton gets, there is another youngster out there — Zaquin Moses — who actually beat the Mayweather Promotions phenom in the amateur ranks. Moses has extraordinary backing — his cousin is Shakur Stevenson — and he could be a key part of Matchroom’s continued progression into the American market.

Curmel Moton (8-0-0, 6 KOs): 20-year-old lightweight

Moton made one of the most anticipated debuts of 2023 and continues to pick up wins. For 2026 to be a breakout year, Moton will have to increase his activity and, perhaps, drop a weight class, but the fighter has incredible talent and is fun to watch so his fame will likely only grow from here.

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Joel Iriarte (9-0-0, 8 KOs): 22-year-old welterweight

Golden Boy Promotions are particularly excited by Joel Iriarte — and with good reason. The welterweight puncher has dynamite in his fists, and can finish fights with shots to the head or the body. Expect 2026 to be the year Iriarte shows he’s no longer a blue-chip prospect but a bona fide contender.

Iyana Verduzco (7-0-0, 1 KOs): 24-year-old super bantamweight

Iyana Verduzco has everything needed to accelerate through the rankings thanks to her ability to draw a crowd, and her ever-developing skill set thanks to her esteemed coaches Gloria Alvarado (who's also her mother) and Freddie Roach.

RANKINGS BOOST

Carlos Utria (14-0-0, 11 KOs): 22-year-old super lightweight

The Colombian broke out from relative obscurity in 2025 to win five times, all in Riyadh, as part of the WBC Grand Prix. He won the entire thing with a record of 5-0-0 (2 KO) in the tournament. With his knockout power, and burgeoning reputation in Saudi Arabia, it stands to reason that he could become a darling of Turki Alalshikh’s. In 2026, there may be no greater backing to have.

Albert Gonzalez (15-0-0, 8 KOs): 23-year-old featherweight

Gonzalez has an unrelenting style that makes him mesh well with legendary boxing trainer Robert Garcia. In 2025, Gonzalez went 3-0 (1 KO), and already has his first 2026 fight booked against Franklin Gonzalez on Jan. 17. After this year, he may no longer be a best-kept secret at Top Rank and may make a play for Prospect of the Year honors, too.

Amari Jones (15-0-0, 13 KOs): 23-year-old middleweight

Considering the dearth in quality at middleweight, Amari Jones is just a few wins away from becoming the face of that division. And, if one believes Virgil Hunter, he may well be destined to do just that, as Coach Hunter said Jones is "one of the best fighters" he's trained "since Andre Ward."

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Cain Sandoval (17-0-0, 15 KOs): 23-year-old super lightweight

Cain Sandoval is like a David Benavidez Jr. at super lightweight because of his stalking, high-output style. The association of his promoter Tom Loeffler with Dana White and, likely, Zuffa Boxing, could bode well for his visibility this year — particularly if he takes on, and beats, the likes of Richardson Hitchins and Jack Catterall.

TITLE-HUNTERS

Emiliano Vargas (16-0-0, 13 KOs): 21-year-old super lightweight

The Top Rank contender is one of boxing’s most improved fighters in recent years, but it’s not just his skill set that could see his popularity skyrocket. Emiliano Vargas has boy-band looks and could transcend the sport in a similar way as Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya both did before him.

Adam Azim (14-0-0, 11 KOs): 23-year-old super lightweight

With veteran fighters like Anthony Joshua and Chris Eubank Jr. in their twilight years, much has been made of the next wave of British talent. But, in Adam Azim, England has a fighter who could emulate the best the country has produced, thanks to his Amir Khan-esque hand speed, ring IQ and varied jab. He fights Gustavo Lemos on Jan. 31, and has already talked-up tests against Regis Prograis and George Kambosos Jr. Should he score multiple wins in 2026, his name power will only grow.

Jadier Herrera (17-0-0, 15 KOs): 23-year-old lightweight

Inactivity was a curse for Jadier Herrera in 2025, fighting only once last year, but he already has his first bout of 2026 lined up when he takes on Ricardo Nunez for the WBC interim lightweight title this Saturday. If he wins and rides that momentum, then his high-level Cuban skill set could shake up the 135-pound division.

George Liddard (13-0-0, 8 KOs): 23-year-old middleweight

Last year, Liddard became the youngest ever British and Commonwealth middleweight champion when he stopped Kieron Conway. Typically, fighters who win those belts step forward for European honors and, eventually, world titles. Liddard will be no different because of his stiff jab, calm aggression and mental fortitude.

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Floyd Schofield (19-0-0, 13 KOs): 23-year-old lightweight

Golden Boy Promotions has shown time and again that they'll thrust their stars into meaningful fights — think Ryan Garcia vs. Gervonta Davis and William Zepeda vs. Shakur Stevenson. In 2026, Oscar De La Hoya's company will be keen to see Schofield uncork his signature left hook in his WBA-mandated position — perhaps against "Tank" Davis, if he returns to the ring, or Lamont Roach, if Davis vacates.

Xander Zayas (22-0-0, 13 KOs): 23-year-old super welterweight

Though already a world champion, the popular Puerto Rican prizefighter Xander Zayas is set to fight Abass Baraou in a two-belt unification later this month on Jan. 31. Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron "Boots" Ennis are typically associated with the highest echelons of the 154-pound division, but it’s Zayas who is staking a claim for all the belts first.

Ernesto Mercado (18-0-0, 17 KOs): 24-year-old super lightweight

With seven knockouts in a row, Ernesto Mercado is rising through the WBO rankings at 140 pounds and could break out with a win over a big-name opponent in 2026. He's called for fights against Keyshawn Davis or the Teofimo Lopez-vs.-Shakur Stevenson winner. But even a win over someone like Richardson Hitchins would elevate his standing significantly.

Jesus Ramos (24-1-0, 19 KOs): 24-year-old middleweight

It’s incredible that ‘Mono’ is still only 24, as it seems like he’s been part of big cards for a long while. By this point, Ramos is battle-hardened and set to capitalize on a weak division by winning the first championship of his career, at middleweight, this year.

MAINSTREAM POTENTIAL

Abdullah Mason (20-0-0, 17 KOs): 21-year-old lightweight

It will be hard to top a year in which he beat Sam Noakes for his first world championship in a back-and-forth battle, finishing 2025 with a record of 4-0-0 (3 KOs). However, Mason is a precocious talent and could become a household name should he put his title on the line against one of the division’s bigger names — like Floyd Schofield, William Zepeda or even Gervonta Davis — and win.

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Moses Itauma (13-0-0, 11 KOs): 21-year-old heavyweight

Britain keeps on churning out some of the sport’s best big men, with Moses Itauma following in the footsteps of Bob Fitzsimmons, Lennox Lewis and David Haye. On current form, Itauma could provide Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury with the type of competition that belies his years. Long considered one of boxing’s best prospects, it may not be long before Itauma ushers in a new era at heavyweight and becomes his nation’s next stadium fighter.

Gabriela Fundora (17-0-0, 9 KOs): 23-year-old flyweight

For a second year in a row, Gabriela Fundora outperformed all other women to become Uncrowned’s best female fighter of 2025, and could make it a three-peat should she go gung-ho in 2026, just as she did in 2025 and 2024. Fundora in the coming years, if not this year, could make her claim as one of the greatest women boxers in the game right now — and, perhaps even, of all time.

Caroline Dubois (12-0-1, 5 KOs): 24-year-old lightweight

Few women’s fighters are as gifted as Caroline Dubois, and she showed the United States precisely why Britain thinks so highly of her with a virtuoso performance over Camilla Panatta on the Jake Paul-vs.-Anthony Joshua undercard in December. As a recent Most Valuable Promotions acquisition, it may not be long before she’s the face of that entire roster.

Jesse Rodriguez (23-0-0, 16 KOs): 25-year-old super flyweight

A pound-for-pound caliber fighter like "Bam" would typically never grace lists like this considering what he has already achieved in boxing. However, as Terence Crawford recently retired, it’s clear Rodriguez is now the No. 1-ranked fighter in the U.S., and with the right push — and the right fights — could become a household name who's as celebrated as "Bud" was in his last years.