Dr. Z's top 20 list of heavyweight prospects, January 2024.

[Eff Pandas]

Hrgovic isn't a prospect he is a contender so there should be another name on this list.

Dude put his own perimeters on what he considers a prospect (under 35, hasn't fought for a belt & no L's). Filip qualifies under those perimeters. Dont tell a mfer what he should or shouldn't do with his own perimeters & list lol.

[low blows]

Dude put his own perimeters on what he considers a prospect (under 35, hasn't fought for a belt & no L's). Filip qualifies under those perimeters. Dont tell a mfer what he should or shouldn't do with his own perimeters & list lol.

Sorry I only skim read that but off his "win" off of the WBO interim champion you would think he would be a contender. I mean who is contender then?

[Eff Pandas]

Sorry I only skim read that but off his "win" off of the WBO interim champion you would think he would be a contender. I mean who is contender then?

Thats not a real belt. Or a primary one ig I should say. Tank didnt even have a primary 135 belt til Devin moved up. Its a weird ass era with legit belts lol.

Idk what Dr Z considers a contender in regards to this list, but for me personally I often consider guys hybrid prospect/contenders so I wouldn't necessarily suggest a guy like Filip, whos had no legit belt fights, isn't capable of being in the prospect sphere still.

Technically I'd say its either an indie (TBRB/Ring) ranked guy or at a minimum a belt ranked guy tho, but this is Dr Z's list & rules.

[Dr. Z]

What are your thoughts on 19 year old 9-0 Lorenzo Medina?

Doubt he’s gonna make much noise and on the shorter side, but probably one of the better USA heavy prospects that’s not pushing 30 or Anderson/Torrez

He did not make my top 20. He is very young and IMO is too short on the triangle numbers of height, and reach. Weight is judged best if the fighter is in shape and he is 10-15 pounds over from being what I consider a good fighting weight for his height and build. Fighters tend to gain weight as they age.

He might be a good regional story for a while. I have not seen him yet in a full fight to judge to be honest, just his highlights, but he has bad defense in the from of a low guard and often stands still with no head movement when he is not attacking. He needs to fix this quickly to he will be exposed. Maybe he can, because he is very young. He has been dropped already. He can move though and has plus hand speed with a good style for his build. At best he is a poor man's Joe Mesi. I think he qualifies as a puncher on the lower level. Say an 8 out of 10. I like Torrez much better. But having said that he might appear on my top 20 list in at q4 2024.

[Dr. Z]

Thats not a real belt. Or a primary one ig I should say. Tank didnt even have a primary 135 belt til Devin moved up. Its a weird ass era with legit belts lol.

Idk what Dr Z considers a contender in regards to this list, but for me personally I often consider guys hybrid prospect/contenders so I wouldn't necessarily suggest a guy like Filip, whos had no legit belt fights, isn't capable of being in the prospect sphere still.

Technically I'd say its either an indie (TBRB/Ring) ranked guy or at a minimum a belt ranked guy tho, but this is Dr Z's list & rules.

To qualify for my list of prospects, you must be under the age of 35 and have not fought for a WBC/IBF/WBA/WBO title.

You must also be undefeated. From here I rank the best 20 men that fight into that definition and put my own spin on things on how good of a prospect his is with ****** to * star ratings. Anyone can ask for clarity, I try not to take offense for those who do so.

The heavyweight division is in at the top, with many older guys who are past their best. This batch of up and coming men is IMO very deep and has some star power.

[Don_Jah]

Hrgovic isn’t a prospect and you missed Vlad Sirenko training in NY right fighting soon trying to get on a Saidi card now

He seems to have been in full training for a long time without actually fighting.

He's been out of the ring for 2 years and 3 months. This is a serious waste of talent.

[Eff Pandas]

To qualify for my list of prospects, you must be under the age of 35 and have not fought for a WBC/IBF/WBA/WBO title.

You must also be undefeated. From here I rank the best 20 men that fight into that definition and put my own spin on things on how good of a prospect his is with ****** to * star ratings. Anyone can ask for clarity, I try not to take offense for those who do so.

The heavyweight division is in at the top, with many older guys who are past their best. This batch of up and coming men is IMO very deep and has some star power.

I already told him your perimeters cuz I don't think he read your rules.

He asked what you consider a contender tho & I was just trying to speculate on that with my take.

[Don_Jah]

I think Croatia and Uzbekistan are going to be two strong players as nations in the heavyweight division in the coming years

Croatia obviously has Filip Hrgovic, and also in the amateurs they have two top heavyweights - Luke Pratjacic, and Marko Milun. Pratjacic is a very big puncher who I think will be more suited to the pros. And Milun has very good ability, skills and power, just a suspect chin.. but with a good trainer who focuses on defence he can do well.

Uzbekistan obviously has Jalolov, but also two good young heavyweights coming up behind him - Zokirov and Mullojonov.

[Don_Jah]

Dr. Z what do you think of Artem Suslenkov? 10-0 (7), age 28 https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/852456

I think he's pretty good, with heavy hands and strength in particular, I think he could be a dark horse at heavyweight.

This is his most recent fight from a few weeks ago

And an impressive display from the amateurs a couple of years ago

[Dr. Z]

Dr. Z what do you think of Artem Suslenkov? 10-0 (7), age 28 https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/852456

I think he's pretty good, with heavy hands and strength in particular, I think he could be a dark horse at heavyweight.

This is his most recent fight from a few weeks ago

And an impressive display from the amateurs a couple of years ago

Never saw him. He was not that good as amateurs and was out boxed a lot. As a pro he short and not a true power hitter, but he can ****. I am due to update my quarterly rankings in April. He might make the cut of 20.