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In 2024, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez was recognized as ESPN’s top fighter under 25, but with his aging, a new generation is stepping up. For 2025, the honor goes to heavyweight contender Moses Itauma, who has made a significant impact since March 2024 with six fights totaling nine rounds. His standout moment came in August after a swift victory over veteran Dillian Whyte. Itauma, a 20-year-old southpaw standing 6-foot-4, combines size, speed, and power, earning praise from former champion Tyson Fury who believes Itauma will dominate the heavyweight division and phase out older fighters like Usyk and Joshua.
Diego Pacheco, last year’s No. 2, slipped a couple of spots despite two strong wins, due to impressive performances from WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. and undisputed women’s flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora. Xander Zayas, the 23-year-old WBO junior middleweight champ, continues to shine as one of the sport’s top young talents, while numerous fresh faces have entered ESPN’s top 25 under-25 fighters list.
The rankings, voted on by Andreas Hale, Timothy Bradley Jr., Nick Parkinson, and Andres Ferrari, highlight:
1. Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs): After swiftly defeating Mike Balogun and two-time interim champion Dillian Whyte, Itauma has quickly climbed the ranks. He aims to continue his rise by knocking out Jermaine Franklin and becoming the heavyweight everyone fears.
2. Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs): The 24-year-old WBO welterweight champ had a standout year highlighted by a fifth-round KO of Hitoshi Sasaki. A looming defense against Devin Haney could solidify his top standing.
3. Gabriela Fundora (17-0, 9 KOs): The 23-year-old flyweight champion, known as “Sweet Poison,” successfully defended her undisputed title twice in 2025 with dominant stoppages, showcasing both skill and power.
4. Diego Pacheco (24-0, 18 KOs): The 6-foot-4 super middleweight faces a crucial bout against Kevin Lele Sajo as he looks to secure a title shot in 2026 after setbacks earlier in the year.
5. Xander Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs): The youngest current world champion in junior middleweight, Zayas is set for a title unification series in 2026 and has aligned with major promoter Limas Sports.
Other notable mentions include Abdullah Mason, a 21-year-old lightweight contender set to fight for his first world title, Jesús Ramos Jr. in junior middleweight, and promising junior flyweight Kyosuke Takami. Fighters like Floyd Schofield and Adam Azim have shown flashes despite setbacks, while young stars such as Caroline Dubois and Emiliano Vargas mark emerging talent in women’s and lightweight divisions respectively.
This comprehensive list reflects the rapidly evolving landscape of boxing’s youth talent, spotlighting fighters poised to make major impacts in the next few years across multiple weight classes.
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Fan Take: This ranking is a crucial indicator of boxing’s future stars, showing fans who to watch as dominant champions of tomorrow. It also signals a generational shift where fresh talent is ready to challenge established veterans, injecting fresh excitement and competition into the sport.
