Prospect of the Month: (May)

There have been two men who have dominated the Light-heavyweight division for much of the last decades. Those two men, Dmitri Bivol and Artur Beterbiev are pound-for-pound elites but are a bit long in the tooth, and it's time for new blood in the 175-pound division. The new blood came bursting onto the scene on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh Saudi Arabia in the form of Daniel Lapin, a 6'6 Southpaw, originally from Poland and now fighting for Ukraine, who is experiencing a power surge has put the 175-pound division on notice. Lapin, stopped Octavio Pudivitr, of Portugal in 107 seconds to move his record to 10-0 (4), score his fourth consecutive stoppage, and put himself on the radar in the light heavyweight division, scored the biggest win of his career in what was supposed to be the biggest challenge of his career and takes home our "Prospect of the Month"  award.

It will certainly take you more time to read this month's Fighter of the Month award than it took Lapin to dispose of his opponent in Riyadh on May 18th. Lapin worked patiently, not looking for a stoppage.The Ukrainian flicked out the jab and used his legs to circle the ring. A straight left late in the first round drove Pudivitr backward midway through the first round with his man in the ropes a barrage of power shots capped off by a left hand to the body put his man down. The Portuguese tried valiantly to beat the count but was unable to make it to his feet. Giving Lapin the stoppage just past the midway mark of the opening round in what was supposed to be the biggest test of his career.  

The Polish-born Ukraine native should be moved quickly at 26 years old and should get another big step-up fight next. There are plenty of names out there for Lapin to test himself on. Veterans like Luke Keeler or Stefano Abatangelo would offer him the experience he hasn't seen before. If they wanted to get risky and try to propel their man into the world title picture Lapin's team could look for a fight with the likes of Alexis Angulo or Deon Nicholson. Fights like that are winnable for Lapin and could propel the 6'6 giant into the world title picture in 2025. 

Prospect of the Month (April): Amari Jones

On a day that seemed to go disastrously wrong for team Haney, there was one bright spot for Bill Haney and the team. 22-year-old Amari Jone, who also originally hails from the Bay Area, California, and fights out of Las Vegas, continues to impress and continues to shine. After an eye-opening performance on the Haney-Prograis card in which he stopped Quilisto Madera at the Chase Center. He looked even better in another step-up fight as he dominated every minute of every round at the Barclays Center and stopped Armel Mbumba-Yassa to  12-0 (11), picked up the biggest wins of his career and established himself as one of the premier 160-pound prospects in the world and takes home our Prospect of the Month Award.

Jones, a tall, athletic, pure boxer with fluid movement and good snap worked patiently behind his jab. Putting round after round in the bank,  Jones sat in the mid-range, and in the pocket and landed everything in the arsenal, then made Mbumba-Yassa miss over and over again. Frustrating his man. Jones picked up the pace and began punching his outgunned opponent. After five one-sided rounds, Jones got the stoppage he looked destined to get. A big right-hand, left hook two-piece put  Mbumba-Yassa don just seconds into the stanza. The 22-year-old stayed on his wounded opponent and rocked him with another right hand and then another, which brought in referee Arthur Mercante to step in and stop the bout, less than 40 seconds into the sixth. 

Jones continues to impress and win convincingly each step of the way. This Month's performance against Mbumba-Yassa suggests hes really, really ready to move up. That performance was dominant against a quality opponent. Perhaps for his next fight, they can match the 22-year-old against a Shane Mosley Jr, a Denzel Bentley, or even a  comebacking JRock  Wiliams. A win over a name like that, which it appears the Cali native is ready for, puts him firmly in contender status at the 160-pound division and no longer stuck in the prospect level. 

Prospect of the Month (March): Richard Torrez Jr

On an absolutely loaded week and month of boxing for high-level prospects, it should have been a very difficult and daunting task to select just a single "Prospect of the Month." However, it was eerily simple and obvious. US Olympian Silver Medalist Richard Torres Jr was asked what is a greater honor, Olympian or heavyweight champion? He said he hadn't experienced the second. So he couldn't answer. However, after Friday's performance, it appears he is well on his way and will be a heavyweight champ in short order. The Tulare, California native destroyed Donald Haynesworth in less than around to move his record to 9-0 (9), pass another "step-up test" establish himself as one of the next great heavyweights, and take home our "Prospect of the Month" Award.

The Tulare native steamrolled right through Haynesworth at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. It will likely take you longer to read this month's "Prospect of the Month" article than it took our Prospect of the Month to stop Haynesworth and move to 9-0 (9) in just 2 minutes, and 19 seconds. Torrez, as is traditional, started quickly, with movement and applying pressure coming out the aggressor. He backed Haynesworth into the ropes immediately. The Californian found his range with his jab and waited for his moment. The moment came around the 2-minute mark of the opening round as the undefeated southpaw landed a right hook followed by a straight left that staggered Haynesworth and left him defenseless in the corner, and Torrez went for the kill and unleashed a hurricane of power shots on his defenseless opponent that forced the referee to step in and stop the fight as Torrez secured his fifth first round KO.

Torres said he would be back in the gym on Monday, and he already had something scheduled. 6 foot 2 inch, 236 pound, 24-year-old seems to be on a streamlined path to a heavyweight title. Now it seems to be a matter of going through the gears, sharpening up, and passing each test as he should be fighting nothing but better and better opponents. No more soft touches. Torres can get to a heavyweight title in short order, but he needs to continue taking step-ups in each fight. I think he should be ready to take on challenges like Guido Vianello or Joey Cusamano. Names like Trevor Bryan, Charles Martin, or Carlos Takam would be the experienced-level veterans he needs on his resume, a scalp he needs on his wall. A win over that makes Torres an immediate player in the heavyweight division.

Prospect of the Month (February): Bruce Carrington

"Shu Shu" Bruce Carrington may very well be the next great one from Brownsville, Brooklyn, NYC, and he certainly saves his best performances for his hometown. He scored what could very well be the KO of the Year in his performance at the Garden on Friday, February 16th, stopping a game and rugged Bernard Angelo Torres in the fourth round with a single looping right hand. The right hand went viral immediately, moved the Brooklynite to 11-0 (7), and won him this Month's Prospect of the Month Award.

The 26-year-old followed up his tremendous 2023 campaign with a spectacular start to his 2024 campaign. A Mind-blowing one-punch knockout of slick southpaw Torres. Carrington, fighting behind a high guard, was struggling and being tested a bit more than we have grown accustomed to. Torres was imposing pressure on Carrington. However, with all of "Shu York City" behind him, Carrington got amped up in the fourth, ripping left hooks to the body, which froze Torres in his tracks. This caused Torres to sit and exchange, and that was when Shu Shu struck and emphatically solved the puzzle for good, dropping Torres with the unforgettable looping right hard with no need for a count. The stoppage came at 2:59 of the fourth round.

Brownsville in particular, but the entire borough of Brooklyn has a historic and cherished boxing history. However, it has not produced a truly great fighter in quite some time. It's put out plenty of good fighters and even really good fighters, but it has not produced that truly great fighter in decades. The wait could be over. Shu Shu seems to be that dude! The next great one that can carry the torch. He seems to be ready for that step up fight! A showdown in NYC with Italian featherweight Mauro Forte could pack out the Garden. If a bigger name is what they are looking for fights with either Joet Gonzalez or Jazza Dickens could propel the 26-year-old New Yorker into a world title fight by the end of 2024.

Prospect of the Month (January 2024): Cheavon Clarke

2024 has gotten off to a quick start relative to other years. Specifically for up-and-coming prospects. One particular Matchroom card that took place in Belfast, Ireland, highlighted many of the best young up-and-comers on that side of the pond. None of those young upstarts had a bigger and better test than Olympian Cheavon Clarke, who took on and demolished former world title challenger Tommy McCarthy. Clarke took the biggest challenge of his young professional career, and the 33-year-old from Kent, UK, scored the best win of his career, destroying the former world title challenger in four quick rounds, dropping the Irishman and finishing him to moving his record to 8-0 (6), capture the WBA Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title and take home our Prospect of the Month award, plus put the rest of the division on very-short notice.

Clarke went into enemy territory at the Ulster Hall in Belfast and got right to business, shocking the hometown McCarthy with a left hook just moments into the opening stanza. Clarke kept the momentum going in the second round, forcing McCarthy into the ropes and scoring with hooks and uppercuts on the inside. While McCarthy had some moments, Clarke was getting the best of it, and McCarthy seemed content trading on the inside. Clarke scored big towards the end of the third. A right hand sent McCarthy into the corner. Ie became obvious the end was near. Fully aware he had the Irishman wounded, Clarke started the fourth fast, scoring with a right uppercut before another right hand put McCarthy to the mat. The hometown fighter made it to his feet but could offer no resistance. The Olympian teed off on the hurt McCarthy until referee Steve Gray waved off the bout at the 1:28 mark of round four.

Prospect of the Month (December): Andy Cruz

28-year-old Andy Cruz from Matanzas, Cuba, started 2023 as an Amateur and ended as a legitimate world title contender who is entirelty expected to win that title in the most competitive division in the sport by the end of 2024. It's no surprise that Cruz, who made his pro debut in a scheduled 10-rounder, is being moved along quickly, and that's precisely what happened. The Cuban put on a dazzling performance at the Chase Center in San Francisco on the undercard of Haney-Prograis to move his record to 2-0 (1), pick up the first stoppage of his career, establish himself as a legitimate world title challenger at 135-pounds and take home our Prospect of the Month award.

The Cuban Gold Medalist was originally scheduled to take on slick Texan boxer Hector Tanajara. Tanajara was unable to go due to an injury and was replaced by Mexican come-forward slugger Jovanni Straffon. In other words, on short notice, he was given the complete opposite of Tanajara. It made no difference as Cruz put on an absolute show. Showing off dazzling hand speed in the early going. The warning signs were all there. This was going to be a mismatch. Cruz scored with a crisp, clean multi-punch combination that backed the Mexican into the ropes. Cruz, whose power was questioned before this fight, answered any doubters and got the attention of Straffon with a straight about halfway into the opening round. The second round was more of the same. A right-left combination by Cruz stunned Straffon early in the second round. The Gold Medalist continued to tee off on Straffon, and a vicious right uppercut buckled Straffon. The fight could have been stopped there however Straffon fought on.  Nothing hanged in the third as Cruz continued to dazzle with five and six -punch combinations that scored with accuracy. The official stoppage came at :53 seconds into the third round as Crux moved his record 2-0 (1).

Cruz has the world has the boxing world at his fingertips. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, thinks he is the best fighter in the division and can't wait to get him a world title shot. The undefeated Cuban has already scheduled his next fight, February 24th in Orlando, Florida. He will scrap with Mexican southpaw Brayan Zamarripa for the IBF international lightweight title. After that, Hearn may seriously look to get his Lightweight a world title shot. The IBF world title is currently vacant should Cruz, is already ranked in the top 15  by the IBF, win in February and pick up the international title. Hearn could realistically have his man in position to fight for the title, regardless of who wins it. 

Prospect of the Month (November): Paddy Donovan

The 140-pound division is a fairly wide open division, with an array of high-level prospects, Brandun Lee, Gary Antunanne Russell, Omar Juarez, Dalton Smith, and Pierce O'Leary. The latter now has a countryman rival join that list of top-notch 140-pounders with world championship talent. "Real Deal" Paddy Donovan is emerging as one of the sport's top young talents. The Limerick, Ireland native Picked up another sensational victory on November 25th by stopping Danny Ball on November 25th in four one-sided rounds to move his record to 12-0 (9), establish himself as that dude at 140, and take him our Prospect of the Month award.

Donovan certainly is the "real deal" two-fisted power, highly athletic, with an array of power shots he fires off from all angles. The path to the top should be fairly quick. A fight with a veteran like Steve Claggett or Yves Ulysses Jr would be a nice win to set up an all-Irish showdown relocated Irishmen Darragh Foley. Wins there could potentially set up a world title fight for the undefeated Irishman by late 2024.

The Limerickman was taking a serious step up in class with English welterweight champion, Danny Ball. However, Donovan was unafraid and came out aggressively, taking advantage of his superior hand speed. Donovan, a southpaw, scored with his jab early and set up a place to land his left. Ball picked up the pace in the second and scored with some hooks but paid the price every time he did, as Donovan would get on the inside and score while in close. As the early rounds passed by it became more and more evident that Ball was not going to have any real answers for Donovan. Ball started to circle and move away to avoid his opponent. That's when the Irishmen struck with a vicious body shot in the fourth round that sank Ball to his knee and left him unable to beat the count and continue. The official time of the stoppage was 2:41 of round four.

Propsect of the Month (October): Armando Casamonica

Fighters can come from anywhere. The boxing world is littered with high-level, highly skilled, and overlooked fighters, who come from all over the world. This month's Prospect of the Month comes from Rome, Italy, not a hotbed for boxing. The super lightweight division is an intriguing and wide-open division. Armando Santamonica should now have his name mentioned among the top prospects in the division. The 23-year-old is known as "La Furia del Quadraro". The Fury of the South Eastern district of Rome put on an eye-catching performance. Taking on the biggest taking on the biggest challenge of his career in Patrizo Santini, "La Furia del Quadraro" scored the biggest win of his career, moved his record to 12-0 (3), took home our Prospect of the Month award, and established himself at the European level for now.

At just 5'5, Casamonica was going to have to get on to the inside and back Santini up, making him uncomfortable. That's exactly what the short Super Lightweight was able to do. Throwing quick, sharp combinations got him onto the inside, where he would shoe-shine and score with accuracy. Casamonica continued to pump the double jab and get on to the inside. He demonstrated a level of quickness and athleticism that Santini had no hope of matching. Midway through the third, the Roman landed a left hand from the southpaw stance that buzzed his opponent. Casamonica slammed on the gas and unleashed a prolonged combination with Santini up against the ropes, which had the ref looking in closely. Casamonica kept up the high work rate, and with combination punching, he switched seamlessly between the southpaw and conventional stance, keeping Santini uncomfortable. In round six, again in the southpaw stance, he staggered Santini with a left and trapped him in the corner. Casamonica went for broke and was awarded a knockdown. Santini continued, but Casamonica unleashed a whirlwind of punches and overwhelmed Santini, bringing in the referee to call a halt to the bout with roughly a minute to go in the sixth. Casamonica improved to 12-0 (3), and Santini fell to 10-2 (3).

At 23 years old, Casamonica has an extremely high ceiling. He sports a fan-friendly style and the skills and athleticism to beat top-notch fighters. When looking at his direct future, one name comes to mind, fellow Italian and Italian Super Lightweight champ Stefano Ramundo. This would be the logical next step. Other than the Italian scene, a win over a top-notch veteran would make a lot of sense for the Italian. A name like Cletus Seldin could sell in NY. A Kendo Castaneda or Samuel Teah would be an excellent challenge if Casamonica is successful, and would put his name on the international radar.

Prospect of the Month (September): Ramon Cardenas

September is typically a historic month for boxing due to Mexican Independence Day. This year there was no MEGA FIGHT on Mexican Independence Day weekend that came a few weeks later. However, there were a few cards and one in particular featured a Texan, a Mexican-American, who pulled a massive upset and a star-making performance. Ramon "Dinimita" Cardenas put the 118 and 122-pound division with his vicious second-round knockout of Rafael Pedroza on September 15th in Cardenas's hometown of San Antonio on the legendary Showtime SHOBOX series. Cardenas scored the major upset, picked up the biggest win of his career, moved his record to 23-1 (12), and took home the WBA Continental Latin America champion and our Fighter of the Week Award. 

Cardenas has long been the forgotten San Antonio prospect, often overlooked in favor of guys like Mario Barrios, Bam Rodrigeuz, Josh Franco, and others. So Friday in his home city. In front of a packed out crowd at the Boeing Center that included the likes of Joshua Franco, Bam Rodriguez, and James Leija, plus San Antonio Spurs great Keldon Johnson, had special meaning for the Alamo City native. The often overlooked and underappreciated  Cardenas vaulted himself into the world title picture in spectacular fashion. Cardenas, who has started slow in the past, got to work immediately, bringing the action to Rafael Pedroza. Cardenas landed clean power shots. One particular straight right-hand buckled Pedroza. The Alamo City native dominated the opening three minutes. The next 1:17 changed his trajectory. Cardenas scored with a picture-perfect left hook, caught Pedroza flush on the side of the head, and sent him to the canvas hard. Pedroza got right up and showed more heart than was good for him. Pedroza went right after Cardenas. The Texan scored with another left hook over the top that dropped Pedroza like a building imploding on himself as the crows erupted. Referee Rafael Ramos waved the bout off immediately as Cardenas improved his record to 23-1 (12).

San Antonio has been on a hot streak of putting out world champions like Mario Barrios, Josh Franco, and Bam Rodriguez. Cardenas has gone somewhat under the radar. However, no more will Dinimita be overlooked with a performance like that on a big stage. Cardenas has put himself in the world title picture at 118 and 122. He can make either division comfortably. A fight with WBA/IBF champ Marlon Taples isn't just realistic it's also extremely winnable for Cardenas. If that can't be made, fights like John Riel Casimero, TJ Doheney, or Nordine Oubaali. A win over a veteran like that could propel the Alamo City native into a title fight by 2024 at either Bantam or Super Bantam. 

Prospect of the Month (August): Juan Carlos Camacho

The super flyweight division has been either the best division in the sport or neck and neck with 147. With the unexpected retirement of Joshua Franco, his brother Bam Rodriguez leaving the division, and the other names Chocolatitio, Juan Francisco Estrada, and Ioka aging. The division needed an overhaul to stay on top, and perhaps that's what it has with the arrival of Junto Nakatani, Kosei Tanaka rallying, and now "El Indio" Juan Carlos Camacho. The division has a new life! Camacho absolutely annihilated Jorge Orazco in 150 seconds to move his record to 16-1 (8), put the Superfly division on notice, get the biggest win of his career, and take home our Prospect of the Month Award.

After consecutive decision victories and coming back on a major card aired on DAZN Camacho needed something spectacular. He needed a knockout to catch the eye of the boxing world for little men. If they are not getting KO's, they are probably ain't getting noticed. So Camacho got to work and delivered exactly that. In another exciting chapter of the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry, Puerto Rico prevailed emphatically. With about 60 seconds remaining in the opening stanza, "El Indio" fired off a left hook to the body, dropping Orozco to both knees. It appeared that was it for the Mexican. However, Orozco valiantly beat the count. He was immediately punished for his courageousness and was dropped again by two vicious left hooks to the body. Referee Santos immediately stopped the fight at the 2:31 mark of the opening round. Orazco remained on the canvas for several minutes.

Camacho can be moved along quite quickly. Orazco was supposed to be a test he was supposed to push and Test "El Indio" after being forced the distance in his last two outings by Carlos Buitrago and Fernando Diaz. That was not the case. There are levels to this, and Camacho showed exactly where he belongs. Estrada is obviously the fight to make and he may be ready if he can't score that and if he can't score Ioka or Chocolatito. There are other intriguing fightsNames like Argi Cortez or Andrew Maloney would represent names, as would Cristian Gonzalez, but Orozco is ready to potentially become Puerto Rico's next great little man and challenge for a world title.

Prospect of the Month (July): Jose Salas Reyes

In arguably the best month of boxing that we have had in years there were numerous cards with countless high-level prospects that made a mark and left an impression. However, perhaps none were better than what 21-year-old Jose Salas Reyes did to former world championship title challenger Aston Palicte. Palicte from the Philipines fought pound-for-pound great and future hall of famer Donnie Nieties to a draw not long ago. The Filipino was absolutely no match for Reyes, who hails from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The Southpaw Super Bantamweight from Mexico picked up his 13th win and 10th KO in 13 professional bouts. He picked up the biggest win of his professional career, moves into the world title picture, and established himself as a legitimate contender, not just a hot shot prospect.

The confidence oozing from the 21-year-old from the opening bell was noticeable. He was in no way intimidated by his much more experienced hard-hitting opponent who fought a legend in his prime to a draw. It was obvious from the early going the Tijuana native was looking to set up something big. Fainting and making Palicte, the KO artist, uncomfortable. The fainting mixed with the right-handed jump and power of Reyes kept Palicte uncomfortable. By the fourth round, Palicte was on his back foot and somewhat in survival mode as a hard straight left from the youngster was backing him up. After several clean lefts landed for Reyes, he found what he was looking for. The straight left by Reyes staggered Palicte a follow-up left uppercut had the former world title challenger in trouble. Reyes jumped on his troubled opponent and unleashed on him which prompted Palicte to take a knee just passed the one-minute mark of the stanza. Palicte decided to beat the count, but still on wobbly legs, referee Huggins gave a long look and decided enough was enough and stopped the bout. Moving Reyes's record to 13-0 (10) and handing Palicte his second consecutive TKO defeat

The 122-pound division is absolutely loaded with good step-up fights for Reyes. At just 21 years old and now with two consecutive really good and nationally televised wins, Reyes is sitting pretty for a big-time fight and on a fast track to a world title. Matchups with names like Ra'eese Aleem or Joshua Greer Jr, who is back in the gym, or a battle of unbeaten youngsters with Jose Tito Sanchez would all be intriguing matchups. Additionally, Angelo Leo and Tremaine Williams are sitting idly by waiting for a fight. Wither of those men would be a massive test for the young hard-hitting Mexican prospect. The reality is, given that performance, Reyes may already be ready for Marlon Taples, who holds half of the straps at 122.

Prospect of the Month (June): Burley Brooks

In boxing, it's what have you done for me lately. You're only as good as your last performance! That's good news for this month's "Prospect of the Month." who hadn't won a fight since pre-pandemic 2020, a first-round knockout of a journeyman named Melvin Russell on the swing bout of the Ugas-Dallas JR card in Biloxi, Mississippi, was the last time 27-year-old Burley Brooks of Dallas, Texas was in the winner's circle. Brooks followed up with two losses and a draw, and after a nearly two-year layoff, Brooks stunned former world champion Caleb Truax, ruined his homecoming, and sent the 39-year-old into retirement. Brooks moved his record to 7-2-1 (5), in beating a former world champ, changes his career trajectory from b-side journeyman to contender, picked up the biggest win of his career, sets himself up for something much bigger, and brings home our "Prospect of the Month Award."

That was not to be the case. Brooks, who had never fought a 10-rounder before, or even an 8-rounder, took a major step up, and he saved his career-best performance for his best opponent. Brooks dominated the 10-round affair, and it was never in doubt. After a bit of a slow start, Brooks got cooking in the third with a flurry that backed Truax backward. The North Texan got going in the second half after a fairly even first half of the 10-round affair, outworking and outlanding his opponent. A flurry at the end of the round again dazed the former champ. Brooks connected with a left to the body just after the halfway point of the eighth round. Brooks was deducted a point in the ninth for losing his mouthpiece for a fourth time but remained undeterred and dominated the final stanza. A five-punch barrage from the Texansent Truax into the ropes with about 1:50 remaining in their fight. Brooks slammed on the gas and dominated the remainder of the round. The cards were academic and were all in favor of Brooks 96-93X2 and 98-91.

In just 10 professional bouts the Texan has gone from emerging prospect to forgotten journeyman B-side to now contender. Things move that quickly in professional boing and one win can change things. The super middleweight landscape is an interesting one, you have one world champion holding all the belts who is fighting a jr middleweight instead of the loaded talent in his division on his side of the street. While this Months Prospect of the Month isn't nearly ready for the top-tier 168-pounders on the PBC side, Morrell, Big Charlo, and Benavidez are all still levels and levels ahead but Brooks should have something big on the horizon. A name like Kyrone Davis or Demond Nicholson would be easily makeable by PBC. If they really wanted to test him, Anthony Dirrell or Lennox Clarke would be a massive step ups, should Brooks pass that test, he will find himself on the fast track for a title shot.

Prospect of the Month (May): Nick Ball

Sometimes the little guy can win, and there is no littler guy than 26-year-old Liverpool, England native Nick Ball scored a dominant 12th-round TKO of rugged and unbeaten prospect, Ludumo Lamati of Johannesburg, South Africa. The stocky 5'2 British Featherweight applied relentless press throughout the 12-round affair and finally got his man out of there to move his record to 18-0 (11), successfully defended HIS WBC silver strap, got the best and most important win of his career and takes home our Prospect of the Month award, making him the 3rd consecutive Brit to capture the award. He joins Jordan Flynn and Cyrus Pattinson, who won the Award the last two months.

In the evening's co-main event on the Louis Alberto Lopez VS Michael Conlan card at the SSE Arena in Belfast, non-stop pressure from hard-hitting little man Nick Ball proved to be worthy of the hype. The all-out relentlessness assault from the little man was far too much for an extremely tough Lamati. The South African was competitive in the early going, using his jab and reach to disrupt the pressure and timing of his 5'2 opponent. However, Ball's relentlessness would eventually break Lamati down. By the final round of the scheduled 12-rounder, Ball was fresh, and Lamati was in survival mode. A stiff left hand stunned Lamati, and the pint-sized Brit poured in the power shots as the towel was thrown in. Lamati appeared to be a beaten man but didn't seem to be in terrible shape, with just under a minute to go in the fight when the towel was thrown. However, Lamati collapsed in the corner and needed oxygen. He was taken to the hospital after the fight after a scary incident. It was touch and go for a while. Good news on that keeps pouting in and Lamati continues to improve and has been placed in controlled sedation

The featherweight division is a loaded division with a ton of intriguing fights for Ball on the Horizon. A fan favorite and a highly entertaining fighter with a high punch rate. A dream match-up with Brandon Figueroa should be the ultimate goal. However, the 5'2 pressure fighter is still a fight or two away from that level. In the interim, he could look at fighting other touted prospects like Edward Vazquez or Golden Boy's prospect Victor Morales or he could go the other route and look to battle a former world champ like Kiko Martinez. However, Martinez looked fairly shot. That may not be much of a challenge for the Brit. A win there should set up a possible showdown with one of Top Rank's top featherweight contenders like Joet Gonzalez or Isaac Dogboe. Ball is closing in on something big. His performance in Belfast should have fast-tracked him to a main-event type fight with a big name.

Prospect of the Month (April): Jordan Flynn

The super featherweight division is one of the most wide-open divisions. No pound-for-pound names, no dominant force in the division. It is also loaded with British fighters. That makes it the perfect division for a hot shot prospect from the UK to rapidly shoot up the ratings and work himself into a title position. That's exactly what this month's "Prospect of the Month'' Jordan Flynn of Oxford, UK, is looking at. Flynn moved to 9-0 (1) on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua- Michael Polite Coffie card at the 02 Arena in London. Flynn outclassed and rolled to a points victory over the rugged Kane Baker, a veteran of nearly 30 pro bouts.

The Oxford native certainly took a massive step up and took the biggest test of his professional career with Baker of Birmingham, England. Flynn came out quickly, working behind his jab and building an early lead on the cards. He scored with quick combinations and used his athleticism and speed to avoid the return fire of the Birmingham native. However, by the middle rounds, Baker was able to get his undefeated opponent into a scrap on the inside and started tattooing him with right hands and hooks on the inside. He was appearingBaker was evening up the fight and wiping away the early lead built up by Flynn. Going into the final two stanzas the fight looked up for grabs. Flynn, adjusted, bit down, and got back to what got him there, boxing from the outside and outkicking his man. He was able to do just that and closed the show in spectacular fashion. Getting the nod on the scorecard 77-75. Flynn closed out a fight that he may have been made closer than it needed to be, in a professional fashion. Handling business the last six minutes and removing all doubt. Post-fight, the victorious Flynn conceded, “I feel like I won the first four rounds comfortably and then let him get back into it in the fifth and sixth rounds because I switched off a bit...I’ve got too much heart, and you’ve got to bottle that up a little bit.”

Flynn, a protege of Anthony Joshua and signed to his 285 Management, is being fast-tracked to a world title fight in the 130-pound weight class. He is fighting every couple of months and stepping up in competition level each time out. The exact recipe for getting a young fighter into title contention. Fortunately for the undefeated Oxonian, he has a plethora of talented super featherweights he can continue to step up against and won't have to leave his home country for. Youssef Khoumar or Levi Giles would be good step-up opponents for his next fight. Should he pass that test, why not move him and look at matching him with names like Zelfa Barrett or Michael Gomez Jr? The names and fights are available for Flynn to get into title contention in a hurry. The skills are there, the management team is on board, and we could certainly see Flynn fighting for a world title by late 2024.

Prospect of the Month (March): Cyrus Pattinson

On March 18th, DAZN aired a prospect-loaded Matchroom Boxing card. It garnered not a ton of attention, it didn't fill out a major stadium or arena, and it probably didn't set any viewership records. However, we are quite certain, Eddie Hearn is more than pleased with the showing. On the card, Hopey Price and Pat McCormack took care of business. However, in the evening's main event, it was the hometown hero, the Newcastle, UK, native that stole the show for his hometown crowd at the Newcastle Arena. 28-year-old Cyprus Pattinson, in just his sixth pro fight, put on an incredible display of offensive skills, durability, and toughness in not just surviving his first major step up, but thriving and scoring a 9th-round TKO over Chris Jenkins. He moved his record to 6-0 (4), taking home the biggest win of his career, established himself as a legitimate welterweight prospect, and take home or Prospect of the Month Award.

Before March 18th, Pattinson had never gone past the sixth round, when he stepped in with Chris Jenkins, he was likely going to have go well past six. It was going to be a challenge. Not only did the undefeated Novocastrian go past six, he got stronger as the fight went on. In what was a very tight and competitive scrap, Pattinson seized control of the fight in round seven. Pattinson would continue to go to the well and dig in with right hooks to the body and would follow up with straight rights that began to buckle his man as the phone booth fight, which was given-and-take through six, swung all the way in favor of the undefeated Pattinson. The battering continued into the ninth, where a left hand rocked Jenkins and forced the corner to throw in the towel and secure the biggest win in Pattinson's young career.

Pattinson signed a multi-year deal with Matchroom Boxing in 2021 and made his pro debut on the Lewis Ritson vs Jeremias Ponce undercard in June of that year. He hasn't garnered the attention that other Matchoom Prospects have received, such as Dalton Smith or Gala Yafai. However, that changed on March 18th, and Pattinson proved, he is ready for another step up. He's ready for the next level. Perhaps a name like Michael McKinson, or Chris Kongo. Perhaps he could be matched up against a US veteran like former world champ Maurice Hooker or a rugged veteran like Blair Cobbs, but that's the level where Pattinson belongs.

Prsopect of the Month (February): John “Scrappy” Ramirez

26-year-old John "Scrappy" Ramirez, of Los Angeles, burst onto the scene in late 2021 on a Gilberto Ramirez card in San Antonio. Ramirez captured the attention of the boxing world, by taking a part and dominating in stopping an outmatched Miguel Angel Rebullosa. It was the skills blended with power plus his trash talk and ring persona. That garnered attention. After stopping the 4-12 fighter, he was back in the ring in March and calling out WBA champ Joshua Franco. It was laughable at the moment, but Scrappy kept running his mouth and kept dominating. He throw a 60-54x3 shootout that night on the grounds of USC. Two months later scored a first-round knockout and then got his 2023 off to a sensational start. Ramirez moved his record to a perfect 11-0 (8) established himself as a legitimate title contender, and takes home our Prospect of the Month Award.

Headlining his first major card just a few hours from his home, Scrappy likely gave his best performance yet at the Fantasy Springs in Indio, California. Taking a lopsided decision over an outgunned Luis Padilla of Jalisco, Mexico. Ramirez displayed lightning-quick reflexes, sharp counter-punching, and pinpoint accurate leads. All the while firing off unique combinations on his way to rolling to a lopsided points victory by scores of 100-92 and 99-91x2 improving his record to a perfect 11-0 (8) Scrappy, a fun-loving underdog, who loves to talk, is now on his way to a world title opportunity in the near future.

Ramirez originally called out Josh Franco because both men were promoted by Golden Boy and the fight was makeable. Something Ramirez wasn't ready for at the time but could likely get when the time is right. The time is nearing and Rammirez is close to a title fight. However, franco and his WBA belt and likely the WBO belt he will pick up when he sets the record straight with Ioka in Japan are no longer with Golden Boy. Franco is a promotional free agent which means the fight isn't off the table it is just a bit more complicated and Franco will have a ton of options. In the interim Ramirez will have to look for another fight while he awaits the verdict of Frnco-Ioka fortunately, there are some attractive options for Scrappy. A short list includes Carlos Cuadras, Jade Bornea, and Israel Gonzalez would all make an intriguing step-up fight for Scrappy and be a better gauge as to whether or not Scrappy is ready for a world title fight.

Prospect of the Month (January): Oscar Collazo

   The little men of the boxing world get no respect. They give non-stop all-action fights, fight the best and deliver fights of the year on a regular basis. For anyone under the 122-pound division to capture the boxing world's attention they need to possess something so special and so next level that it leaves no donut. The way Bam Rodriguez is doing and Inoue and Chocolatito have done in the past. However, that's exactly what Puerto Rico's next Great one, Oscar Collazo, is doing. The 5'1 105-pound hard-hitting and slick-moving southpaw has captured the attention of the boxing world and looks to be fast-tracked to a world title.

"El Pupilo" attention of the boxing world back last summer on the undercard of Ryan Garcia vs Javier Fortuna in an all-out, drag-out 12-round war with Victorio Saludar. Then he put the boxing world on notice on January 28th by destroying in Yudel Reyes in five rounds Yudel Reyes. to Capture the WBO minimumweight mandatory position by winning the title eliminator He will now be the mandatory challenger for WBO champion Melvin Jerusalem of the Philippines. Jerusalem captured the title in stunning fashion by stopping Masataka Taniguchi on January 6th in the second round in Osaka, Japan. The fight between Collazo and Jerusalem will likely be fast-tracked as it will be viewed as very, very winnable for the Puerto Rican sensation and Golden Boy will likely want to begin building up their young star into the next Ivan Calderon, who should be in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Being a Puerto Rican fighter who was born in New Jersey will give him a natural fan base in the great NYC area something Golden Boy is currently lacking.

At 5'1 it is hard to imagine "El Pupilo" going up the weight classes and keep winning world titles in the higher weight classes like Nietes or Ioka or Chocolatito have done before him. However, he could likely build a legacy and dominate the 105 and 108-pound divisions for years to come. At 26 years old the smaller-weight guys are usually already in their peak. So despite having just six fights, Collazo is already in or very near his peak. He had an exceptional amateur career that saw him win a Gold Medal in the 2019 Pan-American games.