Boxing manager, Sam Jones, joins Boxing Social to discuss and dissect what’s going on in the sport. In this column he takes a look at the talent fighting out of the UK, names his top five from these shores as well as one to watch for the future.
Sunny Edwards
I believe current-form Sunny Edwards is the number one fighter in the country. He’s slick, charismatic and isn’t afraid stay on the inside for a fight. An incredible talent.
What makes him better is that he genuinely wants the big fights. His goal is to unify the flyweight division, and he’s backed up his word by signing for all of them. Okay, he’s a marmite character – even I was unsure about him at first – but I’ve gotten to know him over the last few years and he’s as real as it gets as well as being incredibly knowledgeable about the sport.
He returns to the ring this weekend against undefeated Andres Campos. If he wins, which I expect him to handily, let’s get him into those unifications and bring some big nights to the smaller weight classes.
Tyson Fury
Anybody who’s making a list like this and doesn’t include ‘The Gypsy King’ is lying to you. In fact, most would have him at number one, which is fair. I’m putting Tyson at number two because, although I believe he’s the best heavyweight on the planet, I want to see him fight Oleksandr Usyk to solidify that position.
I believe he can win it, I’m certain he does too, so it’s frustrating as a fan not to see it happen. I’m not sure who he fights in September, but I hope the undisputed fight with Usyk is made straight after. He’s at the tail end of his career, so it’s time to get busy ticking off that fight and an Anthony Joshua grudge match to go down firmly as the best of a generation.
Chantelle Cameron
Chantelle has gone under the radar and, in my opinion, is not appreciated enough. I feel like the performance against Katie Taylor is one of the best of all time from a Brit away from home. Everyone in that arena was against her as she challenged one of the greatest women fighters to ever lace up. She kept calm, didn’t let the occasion get the better of her, and got a comprehensive win.
She walked out of Dublin still holding on to her undisputed super-lightweight titles, and I’d like to see her set up for more glory now. If she wants to move down a division to challenge for Taylor’s titles in the rematch, let her do it.
Joe Cordina
What a fighter that seems to be getting better and better. It went from elation to heartbreak for Joe when he won the IBF super-featherweight belt in Cardiff with a highlight reel knockout of Kenichi Ogawa before being stripped of it through no fault of his own.
Like a true champion does, he got back in the gym and won it straight away against danger man, Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov. He’s got all of Wales behind him and for good reason – his style is infinitely watchable.
It’s looking like O’Shaquie Foster next and, if that is the case, I think Cordina becomes a unified champion.
Jack Catterall
I’m putting jack in at number five simply because he should be undisputed champion as we speak. Everyone knows the story and why he’s not, but trust me he will hold a world title soon.
It was a long layoff, so we were pleased to see him get the rounds in against Darragh Foley, with knockdowns for good measure and, in my view, winning every second of every round.
His target is clear now – Regis Prograis for the WBC belt.
One to watch
Keep an eye on young Cameron Vuong. He’s my latest signing and we’ve just inked a promotional deal with Matchroom to have his fights on the best stages.
The 20-year-old lightweight won the Senior Elite ABA Title in April and then the Tri-Nation Title in May. I’m delighted to welcome his to the pro ranks and we’ll get him out for his debut later this year. You are looking at the next superstar of the British fight game.