As 2025 comes to an end, it’s time to take a look at some of boxing’s most talented up-and-comers. These prospects, who BoxingScene ranks according to our estimation of their current status, have laid the groundwork or have notable abilities worth watching in 2026.
*To be considered a prospect, a fighter can’t be ranked in the top 15 of any of the four major sanctioning bodies, and has to have an undefeated record.
This is the second in a three-part series of the 26 prospects to watch in 2026.
20. Samuel Arnold III
Record: 14-0 (9 KOs)
Division: Super middleweight
Arnold is flying under the radar, but he holds wins over Vaughn Alexander and Juan Barajas, two seasoned professionals. Arnold, a 6ft 3ins super middleweight, is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, but now resides in Texas. He is willing to take on hard fights and has won them. Arnold is capable of winning multiple ways, which is notable: He can press the action and box on his back foot.
19. Wyatt Sanford
Record: 5-0 (2 KOs)
Division: Lightweight/junior welterweight
Sanford is a 2024 Olympic bronze medalist and has humbly told BoxingScene he has had to adjust his style to the professional ranks. He is currently looking to move down to the lightweight division. Sanford has looked like a pro-ready prospect and has incredible composure for a young fighter. He is a boxer-puncher who, like Arnold, has multiple avenues to victory. If Sanford continues on this path, he should be a contender by the end of 2027.
18. Taiwo Agbaje
Record: 18-0 (13 KOs)
Division: Junior lightweight
Agbaje is a larger-than-life character who captivates fans in Africa. He is now 33, which makes it hard to call him a prospect, but he is deserving of getting an impactful fight. When he features on cards, he always offers one of the most memorable moments of the night. It would be a shame if next year, the pressure fighting southpaw has not yet advanced far enough and therefore makes this list again. He should face a world-class opponent and see where he can go.
17. Justin Viloria
Record: 11-0 (8 KOs)
Division: Junior lightweight
A good power-puncher with a nasty check right hook. Viloria is following the fighting legacy of his uncle Brian Viloria, a former titleholder, and has defeated quality opponents in his last two fights. At 21 years old, Viloria shows a lot of promise.
16. Nishant Dev
Record: 5-0 (3 KOs)
Division: Junior middleweight
Dev could be the hidden gem from the 2024 Olympics. He has stood out among good competition early and is ready to emerge as a top fighter in his weight class. An amateur rival of 2024 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Omari Jones, Dev seems destined to get meaningful and impactful fights. Dev’s great trait is a high boxing IQ, as he has shown an ability to outthink his opponents early on.
15. Jahmal Harvey
Record: 2-0 (1 KO)
Division: Featherweight
Harvey is a 2024 Olympian and one of the most talked-about fighters from his Olympic class. In his pro debut, he made his opponent quit in the corner. Harvey, who signed with Most Valuable Promotions, should make a huge leap in visibility next year and emerge as one of the top up-and-comers as he did in the amateurs.
14. Omari Jones
Record: 4-0 (4 KOs)
Division: Welterweight
Jones, a 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, has stood out among the 2024 U.S. Olympians. He fought four times in his first year as a pro, winning each by knockout. Jones is a boxer-puncher who is very patient in his approach, yet he is unafraid to throw punches in combination. BoxingScene wrote about Jones’ amateur career earlier this year, which included the anecdote of his USA Boxing national tournament triumph – his family rented a U-Haul truck to get from the hotel to the venue, since the city where the event was held ran out of rental cars.
13. Terry Washington
Record: 6-0 (5 KOs)
Division: Junior flyweight
With one of the best monikers in the sport, “Terrible” Terry Washington, at 21 years old, is a prominent prospect in the shallow 108lbs division. Washington was a top amateur in USA Boxing and is now establishing himself as a puncher in the lower weight divisions. The hopes for Washington are not just winning a title, but to become a multi-division titleholder. Given his division and how active he has been, Washington could fight for a belt by the end of next year. In November, Washington won a 10-round unanimous decision over Ricardo Astuvilca in his first bout scheduled over that distance.
12. Moreno Fendero
Record: 13-0 (10 KOs)
Division: Super middleweight
At one point while drafting this list, Fendero was at No. 2 in terms of up-and-coming prospects. After facing William Langston, a tough veteran spoiler who fought Dante Benjamin to a draw, that changed. In the fight against Langston, Fendero showed limitations on the inside. He will need to grow from that performance and not be stagnant. Still, Fendero’s combination of power and ability make him a top up-and-comer even after one tough fight.
11. Elijah Flores
Record: 10-0 (4 KOs)
Division: Welterweight
Flores already has a credible world-class win by a unanimous decision over former prospect Omar Rosario. Flores’ ProBox TV debut against Luis Hernandez Ramos was a demolition. Flores combines power with talent, and despite very few amateur fights, Flores looks to be a fighter who will be a contender for years to come. This spot on the list may flatter him, but he made such an impression early on that it should encourage young fighters to come out and make a strong impression like him.
