By Jake Donovan

It was three years ago when – with all of just one fight in his pro career – Vasyl Lomachenko shared honors with Felix Verdejo as BoxingScene.com 2013 Prospect(s) of the Year. The two-time Olympic Gold medalist has already become a two-division champion, winning his second title earlier this year and was deep in the debate for 2016 Fighter of the Year, along with recognition as one of the very best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.

All of that, and he’s still two fights shy of 10 in his pro career.

Needless to day, the “prospect” term no longer carries the traditional label as has often been the case. The 28-year old Ukrainian southpaw’s fast track to stardom was part of – if not laying the foundation for - a significant trend that has swept the sport over the past few years, with several boxers from Eastern Europe and Asia (particularly in the lower weights) are advancing from newcomer to title contender in the blink of an eye.

As such, it’s become increasingly difficult to file the proper candidates for this very award. Several outlets have named Erickson Lubin as its top prospect for 2016. The unbeaten super welterweight has looked the part as far back as early into his brilliant amateur career – so much that he was BoxingScene’s choice for 2015.

Having already won the award, it would seem silly to hail the young Floridian in back-to-back years – not to mention that he has officially advanced to the title picture. His next bout will come versus Jorge Cota in a title eliminator on March 4 in Brooklyn, New York, with the winner to become mandatory challenger to a super welterweight title.

The latter similarly eliminates from consideration unbeaten rising talents Sergey Lipinets and Oleksandr “Nail” Gvozdyk – both of whom turned pro less than three years ago but already with a title fight in immediate sight.

Lipinets (11-0, 9KOs) would have been a slam dunk choice had his bout with Lenny Zappavigna come one month later. But in stopping the veteran boxer in addition to taking out Levan Ghvamichava and Walter Castillo earlier in the year, it’s clear the unbeaten Kazakhstani – now living in California – is one that will have to miss out on his boxing childhood, racing from adolescence to adulthood in less than 12 months.

Gvozdyk (12-0, 10KOs) – a Bronze medalist for Ukraine in the 2012 London Olympics – jumped from steppingstones to contender level in the blink of an eye in 2016. Moved briskly by Top Rank and manager Egis Klimas, the 29-year old light heavyweight posted four knockouts in as many fights on the year, including his claiming the scalps of title challengers Nadjib Mohammedi and Isaac Chilemba.

Based on ring record and years in service, both would have qualified under the manner in which a prospect is traditionally viewed. To bestow such honors on either boxer, however, would look silly considering both are now bona fide contenders.

The trend of certain former amateur standouts being moved along far quicker than others is enough to consider a change in presenting this very award in coming years. Rather than “Prospect of the Year”, perhaps we need to be looking at the boxer best suited as the next emerging star, not simply a young fighter who is ready to enter the contender level.

Limiting this award to the latter scenario is no longer a proper reflection of the sport’s next big thing, especially when they can’t even claim to stand out amongst the same crowd they were a part of one year prior.

With that, we present you with a modest-sized list of such boxers who are potentially a year (or more) from challenging for a major title, but figure to crack the Top 10 of their respective divisions in the coming months – and for the final time, naming a “Prospect of the Year” before changing over to Rising Star of the Year beginning end of year 2017.

BOXINGSCENE.COM 2016 PROSPECT OF THE YEAR: LUIS NERY

The power-punching bantamweight from Tijuana comes as close to the exception to the rule as you can find in 2016. Nery has already lodged wins over gatekeepers David Sanchez and Richie Mepranum to position himself for a title shot in 2017, but still raw enough to where he doesn’t quite fit the “contender” label.

With less than 10 amateur fights to his name and having only formally boxed for roughly seven years, Nery (22-0, 16KOs) is still learning as he’s earning. He enjoyed a steady stream of fights through his first three years as a pro before just appearing twice in 2015. The budding southpaw made up for lost time with five wins in 2016, including a 4th round stoppage of Raymond Tabugon in mid-December to position himself for a shot at a bantamweight title in 2017.

The “Silver” title at stake meant that he is contention to face unbeaten long-reigning titlist Shinsuke Yamanaka. The bout itself – which saw the still-reckless puncher suffer his first career knockdown – suggested further development is required before being fast tracked to that level.

At the very least, it suggests proof still exists of prospects on their way to becoming contenders.

MORE TO WATCH IN 2017 (LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Dmitry Bivol (8-0, 6KOs, Vsevolzhsk, Russia, light heavyweight): There’s perhaps an argument to be made that the secondary light heavyweight title he owns should actually disqualify him from this list. However, the 25-year old from Russia is still fighting other prospects and – even in claiming title status – has yet to gain recognition as a true light heavyweight contender. As such, he remains in this section at least through 2016. His year included an aforementioned title winning effort over fellow unbeaten prospect Felix Valera in May, bookended by wins over a journeyman in Cleiton Conceicao and a clubfighter in Yevgeni Makhteienko. Promoted by Andriy Ryabinsky’s World of Boxing in Russia, Bivol will continued to be featured on prominent shows in his home country, perhaps by this time next year developing into a true light heavyweight contender.
 
David Benavidez (16-0, 15KOs), Phoenix, Arizona, super middleweight): At just 20 years of age and boasting a fan-friendly style, there is nothing but upside to the career of Benavidez. Having turned pro four years ago at the age of 16 in Mexico, his 2016 campaign benefited from TV exposure while being more prominently featured in the United States. The younger brother of former 140 lb. titlist Jose Benavidez Jr. has generated whispers of perhaps being the very best in his fighting family, such accolades stemming from a four-win campaign that included knockouts on FS1 (KO2 Kevin Cobbs), Fox prime (KO2 Phillip Jackson Benson) and ESPN (KO10 Dennis Douglin). More would have come of the year had his advisor and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) Al Haymon not shut down production for the overwhelming portion of the year’s 4th quarter. The super middleweight figures to have a breakout 2017 campaign, already slated to appear on the undercard of the January 28 card in Las Vegas topped by the rematch between BoxingScene.com 2016 Fighter of the Year Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz.

Diego De La Hoya (16-0, 9KOs Mexicali, Mexico, super bantamweight): More than just a familiar last name, the 22-year old prospect took significant steps in emerging from the shadow of his older and more famous cousin Oscar, the Hall of Fame former six-division champ and his current promoter. The younger de la Hoya fought just three times in 2016, but the year proving to be quality over quantity in stamping his brand against accelerated opposition. His most recent win was his biggest to date, scoring a landslide decision win over Luis Orlandito del Valle on an HBO PPV televised undercard this past September in Arlington, Texas. He is slated to return in late January, on the non-televised undercard of an HBO Boxing After Dark doubleheader. At his current pace, he will likely land in at least the televised co-feature slot of such a card before year’s end.

Jarrett Hurd (19-0, 13KOs, Accokeek, Maryland, super welterweight): Strangely, injuries are what kept the DMV-based boxer on this list rather than accelerating to the contender level. It’s conceivable that the 26-year old is already on the verge of reaching such status, but for now will continue to count his blessings for the lucky manner in which his talent has been showcased. Hurd first rose to prominence in Nov. ’15, lighting up previously unbeaten Frank Galarza in a bout that received top billing on Showtime thanks to the fallout of injured featherweight titlist Gary Russell. Similar strokes of luck led to his being showcased in knockout wins over Oscar Molina and previous welterweight title challenger Jo Jo Dan. The win over the previously unbeaten Molina came live in primetime on CBS on the undercard of Keith Thurman’s thrilling points win over Shawn Porter, a show that generated more than 3 million viewers. Given his performance that night, it’s safe to say all eyes are on his career progress in the months ahead.

Takuma Inoue (8-0, 2KOs, Yokohoma, Japan, bantamweight): In any other family, he’s undoubtedly the sibling you turn to at the first sign of trouble. When your older brother is unbeaten two-division champ and pound-for-pound talent Naoya Inoue… well, Takuma still makes for a hell of a prospect even if forced to settle for second best among his siblings. Barely three years into his pro career, he’s rapidly approaching the doorstep to title contention. Just two wins came of the year, but a 10-round decision win over Froilan Saludar in September was enough to show that he has potential to be more than just Naoya’s little brother.

Tugstsogt Nyambayar (7-0, 7KOs, Ulan-Bator, Mongolia, featherweight): There’s a case to be made that Nyambayar – a 2012 Olympic Silver medalist for Mongolia who now lives and trains in California – should be among those fast-tracked to contention rather than slumming at the prospect level a whole two years into his pro career. Perhaps it would have been the case had the Al Haymon-advised featherweight not fallen prey to the PBC movement grinding to a halt in the final three months of 2016. Still, the 24-year old managed three wins on the year, including an ESPN-televised 1st round knockout of Rafael Vazquez this past July. With PBC loading up its first quarter schedule, it’s highly possible that Nyambayar graduates to the contender level in the near future. At the very least, expect a greater activity rate between now and then, along with a continued upgrade in competition level.

Josh Taylor (7-0, 7KOs, Edinburgh, Scotland, super lightweight): They often say it’s not what you know but who you know. Taylor has made the most of whom he knows, showcasing his talents in assignments generated by his promoter, Hall of Fame former featherweight titlist Barry McGuigan. To date, he’s appeared on three undercards of Carl Frampton, having scored 2nd round knockouts every time out. The 2012 Olympian for Great Britain has yet to be extended beyond the 5th round, which came in a stoppage win of veteran Dave Ryan in his most recent start last October. He’s once again due to appear in supporting capacity to Frampton, fighting on the undercard of the January 28 show in Las Vegas. Showtime cameras will once again be in the building as they were for his pro debut in July ’15, as well as knockout wins over Lyes Chaibi in February and Evincil Dixon in July. At some point, he figures to appear in front of such cameras, hopefully while still on the rise as the grooming period isn’t likely to last much longer.

Avni Yildirim (14-0, 9KOs, Sivas, Turkey, super middleweight): A deceptive nickname, as there is nothing mechanical or stiff about “Mr. Robot”. The 25-year old from Turkey first gained prominence in serving as the conquering opponent in what is hopefully the last ever bout in the career of former light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson in Aug. ’15. The 10-round points win was just his sixth pro bout, having since added eight more wins to his ledger including six in 2016. Guided by promoter Ahmet Oner, he has been rotated between Turkey, USA and Germany. His most recent performance – a three-round blitzing of Canada’s Schiller Hyppolite this past November in Germany – was enough to suggest that graduation day is rapidly approaching, even in the talent-rich super middleweight division.

Twitter: @JakeNDaBox_v2