Britain has produced some of the great boxing talents, including Hall of Fame members Lennox Lewis and Joe Calzaghe.
But both those names had to start somewhere before becoming renowned multi-belt-holding world champions.
In recent years, prospects who have gone on to find such success include Scotland’s Josh Taylor and Anthony Joshua.
Now there is a new crop of talent ready to take the world by storm, and some are closer than you think. From flyweight to heavyweight, Britain has five prospects who are ready to become world champions.
Pat McCormack
Pat McCormack is the only one on this list who is still trying to find his path to world honours.
But with Eddie Hearn claiming that Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis is moving to super welterweight, McCormack may have a chance at a welterweight belt.
The North East technician has been highly touted since exiting the amateurs with an Olympic Silver medal and multiple world championship golds.
Currently undefeated with an impressive seven wins and five knockouts, he has improved with each fight.
His standout win is his most recent; a sixth-round retirement of Robbie Davies Jr, which has taken him closer to a British title shot.
Rumoured for a Newcastle return, he is a fighter who has the potential to become world champion within two years.
Viddal Riley
Standing out in a crowded domestic scene, Viddal Riley has been displaying his high-level boxing skills from day one.
Many will know him for training YouTuber KSI for his fights against Logan Paul, but he is now making a name for himself in the pros.
A European Junior silver medallist, the 27-year-old had a slow start to life as a pro.
After a two-year layoff in 2020, he signed with BOXXER, where he has found his success, including a British title win.
He lived out a childhood dream, fighting in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he dominated Chev Clarke for 12 rounds.
But with Jake Paul potentially in line for a WBC title shot, Riley should have no problem finding his own route.
A defence of his British crown is inevitable, but he should be pushing for world titles in the next year.
Dalton Smith
Super lightweight in the UK does have some talent, but it is Dalton Smith who is the closest to a world title shot.
‘Thunder’ has blasted his way through competition at every stage of his career, amassing an 18-0 record with 13 knockouts.
His star-making performance was a dismantling fifth-round knockout win over 30-fight veteran Jose Zepeda.
The 28-year-old is in line for a shot at WBC champion Alberto Puello, who defends against Subriel Matias in July.
He does have competition domestically in the form of Adam Azim but he is ready to one-up his British rival.
Galal Yafai
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 30: Galal Yafai poses for a photo with the title belt after victory over Sunny Edwards in their WBC Interim World Flyweight title fight at BP Pulse Live on November 30, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow/Getty Images)
Galal Yafai has a chance to cement his position as mandatory challenger for the WBC flyweight belt this weekend.
Even before his professional debut, he picked up a Gold medal in the Tokyo games, which made him a hot prospect.
In nine fights, he has knocked out seven of his opponents and picked up the WBC interim belt.
A statement stoppage win over Sunny Edwards put his name at the top of Britain’s best fighters lists.
Now, a hometown headliner against Francisco Rodriguez Jr could set him up for an all-action title clash with Kenshiro Teraji.
From a fighting family of his own, the youngest Yafai brother wants to outdo the legacy his siblings set before him.
Moses Itauma
The one name on the lips of every boxing fan is the youngest of the five entries, Moses Itauma.
At 20 years old, the southpaw has dismantled heavyweights built up as tests for him to get rounds.
But instead, he has bashed away 10 of his 12 opponents by knockout.
A breakout performance over Australian prospect Demsey McKean heightened calls for him to become the next heavyweight champion.
Now he faces a huge name in Dillian Whyte, which will be his first ever main event slot of his career.
This would not only be his biggest notch to date but also push him towards the top 10 of most governing bodies.
And with Oleksandr Usyk coming to the final fights of his career, Itauma is waiting in the wings to snatch a belt before 25.