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

[Dr. Z]

@Dr. Z what's your thoughts on Alexis Barriere? 11-0 (9) ranked 50th on boxrec.

He fought recently as an amateur as he is trying to represent team Canada. I noticed he was TKO 'd in the amateurs by a sub .500 fighter.

Not a good sign.

Having said that if I extend the list to say 25 heavyweight prospects he would make it then. He was one of the guys I considered when I put together the list.

Bu the way I added star ratings for each of the 20 prospects. ***** - * stars.

[James Daley]

Justis Huni is still green & often gets critisism for lack of Heavyweight power. His speed & boxing skills have been suffice to date.
Huni became Australian National Champion in his first professional fight. He's already built a high quality 8-0 resume, his 9th opponent looks to be South African Kevin Lerena (30-2) in 3 weeks time?

[Dr. Z]

Justis Huni is still green & often gets critisism for lack of Heavyweight power. His speed & boxing skills have been suffice to date.
Huni became Australian National Champion in his first professional fight. He's already built a high quality 8-0 resume, his 9th opponent looks to be South African Kevin Lerena (30-2) in 3 weeks time?

Huni was an accomplished amateur and IMO is on the fast path. He is closer to hitting his ceiling that most other prospects. He does lack power and size in the modern heavyweight division tough. I see him as an eventually top 40- 7 box rec guy That is his celling ... I think. A welcome addition to professional heavyweight boxing. Please do not ask where are the Americans are in the heavyweight division!

[Joseph]

I agree with the poster who said Torrez might fare better at Bridger; I’d add Cruiser to that, too. Kid is a talent in the making with a 100% KO streak fighting shot cans and journeymen, but he looks good doing it. It took him every round to stop flabby Curtis Harper, so he definitely needs more work, but he’s getting there. I have noticed his technical prowess improve over eight fights, but how will he fare against much bigger/sharper opponents? HW might be wrong for him ultimately as he’s on the smaller side barely scraping 6’2/220ish pounds.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Didn't see anything in the writeup on Hrgovic about his rigor mortis stiffness, amazing lack of head movement or his ability to turn his back and start break dancing after getting hit (see Zhang fight for more details).

The OP is in love with Hrgovic. I call him Hrgob****.

[eco1]

The only thing I have to say is:

Great Amps man!

[juggernaut666]

Lots of nobodies on this list

Yea if you don’t care to watch guys not in the spot light . Lol

[juggernaut666]

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

[low blows]

To qualify for the 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. Okay, everyone got it? I have seen each person at least once. My rankings are a mix of results to date pro potential and accomplishments. Almost everyone is a super heavyweight, some with good skills. The game has changed to big out fighters with long reaches and a lot of power.




1 ) Philp Hrgovic ***** ( Rated inside the top ten by ring magazine ). Age 31 17-0 14 KO's He's big. 6'6'' has a great reach 82" and weighs about 245 lbs. He can take a punch. In fact, he took some real zingers from guys who can hit in the amateurs and pro and didn't even have to clinch. Chins are best tested when they are hit by punchers, and how you react to it when it tells you a lot. Good skills, good hand speed, and very good power. Good heart for battle too. Very accurate punching. A good body puncher too. He can in-fight and likes it. Fresh off his victory over Zhang, who would beat most on this list. He was off in that fight. Very likely to be the next champion. Recently beat Mekean, this is his 5th undefeated fighter's scalp! I think he'll beat Fury within a year and would TKO Wilder a declining Wilder in short order. A world title belt awaits. We shall see if Usyk meets him for the IBF title! Hunter, Ruiz, and Parker already passed on him. Blew way Di Mori in his last fight in one round. He is ready to graduate from this list as he's now the IBF mandatory Might face Joshua next!

2 ) Bahkhodir Jalolov **** 1/2 Age 28. 6'7" tall with an 81" reach. 250 pounds 14-0, 13 Ko's. . Oh what potential! Jarolov is a big southpaw who uses a punishing left. His straight left is the best in the game. Top end power is perhaps the second best on the list, which says something. He moves extremely well on legs of steel and keeps his range. Not an in-fighter, though. But with his length, power, speed and skills he doesn't have to be. The type of fighter who uses his legs, height and reach for offense and defense. The gold medal winner of the recent Tokyo Olympics is a grade A prospect, which is why I rate him 2nd. He won the world amateur super heavyweight tournament in May 2023 recently. In a year, or less he can be the #1 prospect. Man is he talented!

3 ) Sanchez **** ( Rated inside the top ten by ring magazine ) Age 31 24-0 17 Ko's . He's fast-handed and can fight well. He is not a knock-out artist, though, his power is average. 6'4" with a 78" reach he's good enough these days, but the so-so chined Pero beat him three times in the amateurs so he's not an elite level boxer, rather he's is good one. Good on defense, which is semi-rare for a heavyweight these days. I don't view his potential as a pro as good as the two fighters below him, but I'm listing him here for now because he has fought some competition. Beat Fa in his last fight. He is soild.

4 ) Gurgen Hovannisyan **** Age 23 6'7" 270 pounds 81" reach. 4-0, 4 KO's. Who's very big, looks like a bouncer, has natural charisma outside the ring , uncanny accuracy in the ring, and fast hand's. Oh he can hit hard too. And in-fight or outfight. And his stamina is good, and man can this guy move well for his size. No, I'm not talking about Grossberger from the movie Stir Crazy. The answer is Gurgen Hovannisyan. A former fat boy who achieved a fair amount in a short time in the amateurs, he has transformed his body and really opened my eyes. You just don't see guys string together combinations fluidly as he does at heavyweight. Deceptively flexible. He has been moved quickly and earns my high ranking based on how he has looked. Get to know him! Fights again in early January 2024.

5. Agit Kaayel. **** Age 31, 6'3" 240 pounds. 24-0 16 KO's. Kaybel can box, move, and hit somewhat hard. He is very solid but lacks the prospects elite traits of the top top peospectd to rate higher even thought he did beat some good competition, most notably Chisora and Makumudov. The German is in the heavyweight mix now, and might get a title shot from somebody soon as he was on the massive heavyweight card on 12-23- 2023. If Joshua vs. Hrgovic can not be made maybe he will fight Hrgovic next for the IBF title. Kabayel was ducked by Fury last year! Fury pulled out of a scheduled fight in Decmeber 2022.

6 ) Jared Anderson *** 1/2 Age 22 6'4" 1/2 " 78 1/2" reach/ 245 pounds. 16-0 15 Ko's. The best American young Heavyweight in years. He's big, skilled, and can punch. Being moved fairly quickly. The promoters are salivating over him. Unless I miss my guess, he's going somewhere. Lacks big time amatuertuer sucess. Reminds me a bit of Rid**** Bowe. I think he's the best American prospect in a long time. Look for him to move up the prospect list in a year. Lack of defense needs improvement. Expect him to receive a title shot befoer he earns it. Legal issues in a recent DUI and gun charge charge cloud his future.

7 ) Justis Huni 6'4" *** 245 estimated reach of 77" 245 pounds. 8-0, 4 Ko's. Age 23 The World Olympic junior champion. This kid is not your typical limited Samon slugger. He is, in fact, a good boxer with average power. He is quick and young. Skilled he can box. He is not likely to go beyond the top 4 due to his power level.

8 ) Mark Petrovski *** 1/2 ( hard to predict ) Age 23. 6'1 estimated to reach 76". 215 pounds. The young Petroski recently went pro ( 7-0 5 ko's ) after winning the world super heavyweight amatuer championship. He's a little small for a heavyweight, about 6'1" and 220 pounds, but he can fight and punch. And he's got a good chin and heart. He has a moving/unloading style when he gets inside. He's got quick and accurate hands. Not one to take a step back. He has the right style for his size, but I wonder about his upper potential as a pro vs. the best big men who are all skilled super heavyweights that feature natural height, range, and power these days. Appears to be fast tracked with good match making, a sign he is going somewhere.

9 ) Basir Abalrov. ** 1/2 ( the hardest man to project ) 11-0, 9 Ko's. Another 6'5" 247 lbs guy. 31 years old. Estimated reach is about 79". The well muscled Abarlov has quick hands, a body type where a shell defense / guard works due his big arms and high guard. He has a lot of power. He goes to the bodywell. And he moves his feet well. He is impressive. Did next to nothing before he was pro. A talent to mold.


10 ) Fabio Wardley. *** Age 29. 17-0 16 KO's. 6'5" 240 lbs. Esimated reach 80". Wardley is big, being moved quickly and producing lot of KO's. But is he a good boxer and how is his chin?

11 ) Frazier Clake ** 1/2 8-0, 6 Ko's 6'6 " 80" reach 270 pounds. 31 years old. He beat quality competition as an amateur. He was only stopped once in 93 fights and that one was by Jalolov. He's big, he can box and he can take a punch. This man is going places.

12 ) Richard Torrez jr. *** 6-0 6 Ko's. 6'2" 220 pounds. The silver medalists in the Tokyo Olympic games flashed quick hands and good power as a professional. A high IQ fighter for sure and one with an aggressive style. There is something there. Fairly impressive.

13 ) Arslan Yallyev. ** 1/2 14-0, 9 Ko's. 6'5'' 245 lbs with an estimated reach of 80" This young Russian big man has been making some noise lately. There must be a factory for these big eastern europeans somewhere. Not a true power hitter though.

14 ) Lenier Pero. ** 1/2 Age 31. 6'4 1/2 ", 79 " reach which are mere standard numbers these days! 10-0, 7 KO's. Pero is a Cuban who can box.. He is a well school amatuer, and rahter quck handed.

15 ) Oleksandr Zakhozhy. ** Age 29, 6'9" 18-0 14 ko's. The big man has rolled over some of the usual suspects, either knocking them out or easily out-pointing his opponents. So I rate him here based on his size and experience for now.

16 ) Andriii Novystky * 1/2 8-0 8 KO. 6'6" 245 lbs, estimated reach 80 " Novystyi is a new comer to pro boxing in 2023. He has been very active. He can hit! I think he can fight a bit too. He has a high guard, a quick step back and can to the body well. He looks advanced for a newcomer countering and making this man miss. He very much outclassed his 13-4 opponent in the first fight I saw. He most certainly can rate much higher on the list. Limited amatuer experience. They call him rampage.

17 ) Zakhogir Zokirov. *** 1-2 ( hard to project due to his young age ) 1-0, 1 KO. 6'7 1/2 + tall, 263 lbs/. Just 20 years old. Estimated reach 83". This 20 year old jr former world jr champion is unicorn, He has curshing type of power and moves his man early every time he lands flush. He is huge! A Southpaw. And his father and trainer is a former fighter himself. He sparred with Hrgovic and made him look small in the photo. Huge arms, hands, legs. And he is a great body puncher and in fighter which is rare for man his size. Oh what potential. He is from Uzbekistan a current hot bed of heavy weight talent . He should move up on the list. He is not fast , but not slow either..

18 ) Lazibek Mullojnov ** 1/2. 6'3 1/ " 235 lbs, estimated reach 78". 24 year old. 4-0 4 KOs. Another Ubrzekistan fighter His amateur career was excellent. I'm not sure how far he go on the list but he will move up. Another soutpaw. He is an all around type of talent.

19 Viktor Jurk. ** 1/2 6'8 1/2 " 252 libs. Estimated reach 84" Age 23. 6-0 5 Ko's. This man has not filled out yet , and he's huge. But he has some boxing ability ( really snaps his punches ) and can move. Fights like a modern day big man, giving his short opponents ( under 6'3" ) little chance to out box him. He is a bit stiff. And of course he can punch.

20.) Solomon Adebayo. * 1/2 13-0, 12 KO. Tale of the tape, a guess as he has none. 6'6" 230 labs, 84 + reach. Age 27. Well this Nigerian prospect is certainly big but he does not know how to fight. Defense is leaky. Besides it would be cool to list a prospect from African in such as international sport.


Amatuer stand out: Svetoslav Teterin. This thick Russian fighter is built like a bear, not a bodybuilder. The young man features unusually fast hands for his build, good power and a confronting type of style. Likely has a good chin based on his sturdy build, never being stopped and is tough to move around when hit. He has not gone pro yet. If you think I missed anyone you can nominate him here.

Did I miss anyone?


- Dr. Z


A man who has an eye on heavyweight talent.

I am going to add to the massive thread star ratings for each man to predict their careers. .


They are:

5 stars: Not only a future world champion but a man capable of defending a world title belt. A name worthy mention for the hall of fame! A prospect can rate no higher than that.

4 stars: A current or future top 10 rated guy ( ring magazine or box rec ratings ) who may pick up a world title belt.

3 stars: Prospect is good bet to make the top 50 in the " box rec ": ratings

2 stars: A solid regional type of heavyweight. Top 51- 100 " box rec " ratings "

1 star: A prospect that could go bust or retire early.

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

[edpboxing]

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