DAVID HAYE has revealed his top five boxers in the world to look out for – including a legend’s son and one you may never have heard of.
The sport is on hold as the coronavirus pandemic has put countries around the world on lockdown.
David Haye believes boxing fans can still have plenty to look forward to before the year is outCredit: Getty Images – Getty
In the UK, the sport’s chiefs have postponed all events until the end of April, but this is set to be reviewed over the coming days.
There could then be the prospect of shows taking place behind closed doors from May onwards depending on government advice on the outbreak.
But once the gloves are laced back up, there is plenty for fight fans to look forward to.
Anthony Joshua is set to defend his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight world titles against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.
And Tyson Fury will complete his trilogy with Deontay Wilder, with the Gypsy King’s WBC strap on the line.
Here, Betfair ambassador David Haye gives SunSport his five boxers to watch out for once the action resumes.
They both might be heavyweight world champions, but Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury don’t make David Haye’s list
Lawrence Okolie – 14w-0l-0d
There are some good young fighters coming through and a few future world champions to keep an eye out for.
One is future cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion Lawrence Okolie.
He should have a world title fight soon and is one for the future.
Okolie is the only guy around who has the physical tools and skills to succeed at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
Many people believe the next man to mdo that is Oleksandr Usyk, but I don’t.
For me it’s Okolie. He is my top pick for fighters to look out for moving forward.
He hasn’t put a foot wrong so far. He’s very awkward, very big for cruiserweight and can fill out into a heavyweight.
He has punch power, skills and can take a dig too.
Lawrence Okolie is edging closer to a world title shot at cruiserweightCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Caleb Plant – 20-0-0
Plant is currently the super middleweight world champion and I very much like his style.
I have been following him closely throughout his career. He has a showreel style.
Type his name into YouTube and be dazzled by his hand speed, skills and head movement.
I really like the way he fights, his movement and defence, counterpunching is beautiful.
He’s someone I enjoy watching and someone I feel will be involved in some massive fights moving forward.
I’d like to see him mixing with the likes of Canelo Alvarez.
He’s a fighter from the States who hasn’t had that much attention in the UK yet. The Americans know him, but the British fans should have a closer look.
A unification fight between Plant and Callum Smith would be a cracker.
Caleb Plant, left, is all-action and British fans would love to see more of himCredit: Getty
Daniel Dubois – 14-0-0
Dubois is a young heavyweight with a very bright future.
Next, he fights another young, hungry and undefeated fighter in Joe Joyce, a former Olympic medallist and himself one to watch.
If Dubois is victorious against Joyce, he’ll find himself on the fast-track to world title fights, but the Joyce fight will test him.
I have said from day one that Joe is something special and he has already proven that by beating former world champions and title contenders in m convincing fashion.
This is Daniel’s chance to set the world on fire. If he lives up to the hype, he is a guy who should have a world title belt around his waist in the next few years.
Daniel Dubois faces his biggest test yet when he fights fellow Brit Joe JoyceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
David Haye and son Cassius look ripped after extreme workout
Umar Sadiq – 10-1-0
Sadiq is a super-middleweight who is a young fighter coming through with a m standout victory in his last fight over an unbeaten opponent in Kody Davies.
He is a guy I really like the look of. He has one blemish on his record, but I had a loss on my record early and that fight made me, and it will do the same for Sadiq.
Just because a fighter is unbeaten it doesn’t mean they are better than a fighter with one loss on his card.
As long as a fighter learns from defeat and don’t make the same mistakes again further down the line.
Sadiq is one for the future. He’s very big for the weight, someone who will cause opponents a lot of issues and he should be fighting for the British title in his next fight against Lerrone Richards.
He is another one to watch, a talented undefeated fighter.
The winner of that bout will be moving on to European honours and world titles.
Umar Sadiq may have a loss on his record, but he doesn’t need that to deter him from world title ambitionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Conor Benn – 16-0-0
Conor started his career with a lot of hype and attention being the child of Nigel Benn, one of Britain’s best fighters.
Conor is someone I’ve seen immense improvement from in recent times.
When I first saw him, he looked very raw and showed his lack of amateur pedigree.
He had to do his learning in the professional ranks and, unfortunately, during the early fights of his career he was judged quite harshly.
Conor Benn has destroyed a fair few of his opponents and is undefeated as a proCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Most people, when they have a lot of amateur fights, competing in the ABAs, fighting for London and England around the world, learn the game.
Conor, however, has had to learn under the watchful eye of the public. He has remained unbeaten because he has what it takes to succeed.
He’s very fit, focussed, has the Nigel Benn DNA running through his veins. He has his own style too.
Conor is relentless and I expect 2020 to be the year he breaks through onto the main stage.
He has won some junior titles but this year he’ll be involved in big fights on big bills for big titles. I have enjoyed his progression.
The opposition has steadily increased and every time he has gone up a step he has risen to the occasion.
A very exciting fighter, aggressive, no-holds-barred warrior. I love his style; love his interviews and I am a supporter of his.
Conr Benn is following in some pretty famous boxing footsteps in the form of his dad, Nigel BennCredit: REUTERS
Boxer Conor Benn has BEARD TRANSPLANT and LOVES the results
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
