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2021 Young Boxing Prospects, January Recap, and What to Expect in February:
2020 was a year of upsets in boxing. Many former champions such as Julian Williams and Vasiliy Lomachenko were dethroned by underdogs Jeison Rosario and Teofimo Lopez. Boxers struggled to hold onto their titles, insinuating that 2020 was a year of upset in the sport. Anthony Joshua was left as the last major fight in 2020. Leaving fans asking the question, will Joshua lose? However, Joshua did not lose his titles and was able to quickly take out Kubrat Pulev in order to retain his unified WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO world champion titles. This marketed a transition into the new year of boxing. Making 2021 as being highlighted as a year of prospect for many boxer who wish to build their own legacies.
A new wave of young boxers is making a claim in the sport. Athletes like 22 year-old Devin Haney (25 — 0), 22 year-old Ryan Garcia (21 — 0), 23 year-old Jarron Ennis (25 — 0), 26 year-old Gervonta Davis (24 — 0), 23 year-old Shakur Stevenson (13 — 0), and 24 year-old female boxer Terri Harper (11 — 0 — 1). All have made a claim on becoming champions within the next year or so. However, one of the most notable boxers is the “Athletic’s Prospect of the Year” Edgar Berlanga. Berlanga currently holds a (16 — 0) record all by 1st round knockouts. Drawing comparisons to Mike Tyson with his brutal power and technique, the 23 year-old Brooklyn native looks to make 2021 his year, stating, “we ended 2020 with a bang. You know, that’s what I wanted. And, you know, 2021 is a big year for us. And I’m looking forward to it.”
Since 2021 has started, boxing has had two major fights. As noted earlier one of the young prospects to follow in the sport is Ryan Garcia. On Jan. 3rd 2021 Ryan Garcia faced Luke Campbell at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Garcia had promised a knockout, but most were not sure how he would do it. In Round 2, Campbell dropped Garcia for the first time in his career with a strong left punch. Something that almost cost Garcia the match. This was an opportunity for Garcia to prove to the boxing world that he will be taken seriously. Garcia mixed up his punches in the later rounds, leaving Campbell guessing. In the end, Garcia landed one the biggest knockouts of his career. In the 7th Round, Garcia landed a left hook to Campbell’s body that sent him to his knees. Adding another win by KO to the rising Lightweight…