Don’t mistake this list as one to bank future successes of any of these fighters on, though I have faith that more than a handful of them will break through to the top level of the sport. No, what this list serves as is my 25 favorite prospects that I will be keeping an eye on in 2012 and beyond. What this means is the rubric is more than just in-ring ability. It takes into account whether or not they likely will emerge as big time ticket sellers, as determined by their fighting styles and personalities, among other things. One thing you can count on is this list features quite a number of names you won?t see elsewhere.
Sadam Ali, welterweight, 23 years old, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. [14-0, 8 KOs]
The quick-fisted Ali was the first Arab-American fighter to box in the Olympics when he made the U.S. team in 2008. Since turning pro in January of 2009, the sharp punching Ali has yet to face a real test. He may be a bit undersized at welterweight and would probably find more success at 140 when he steps up his level of competition. After encountering managerial problems early in his career, Ali has begun to guide his own career. It will be interesting to see how Ali?s plans of getting to the top will work out without a major guiding influence. At 23 years old, Ali has a fair amount of time to get there.
Eleider Alvarez, light heavyweight, 27, Montreal, Quebec, Canada via Colombia [7-0, 5 KOs]
In just his seventh pro fight, Colombian standout Alvarez won the WBO NABO light heavyweight title via 1st round knockout. Alvarez went 3-0 in his opening year as a pro and then took all of 2010 off before returning this past year with four straight wins. Alvarez heads a class of heralded Colombian prospects to emerge in the last year, yet he seems to be flying in under the radar compared to the others.
Demetrius Andrade, junior middleweight, 23, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A. [15-0, 10 KOs]
Of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, no fighter has been more visible than Andrade, who has fought a majority of his professional career on television. Andrade has fought fairly tough competition for being at this stage of his career, and has quality wins that include a stoppage of the usually durable Saul Duran this past year. This year, Andrade also outpointed veteran Grady Brewer, who was coming off a huge upset win over former blue chip prospect Fernando Guerrero. Andrade is a well-rounded fighter without any glaring weaknesses and will fight Derek Ennis in an IBF eliminator in February.
