Boxing stands at the ledge of a new era. As the word collectively enters 2025, this sport continues to thrive via already established champions and a new generation of hungry contenders.
With global interest surging after landmark events like Mike Tyson’s generational fight against Jake Paul, Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano, Tyson Fury’s recent rematch against Oleksandr Usyk and so many more, we’re set for an interesting year to come. Analysts are already pointing to a select group of fighters — rising stars with impressive streaks and accomplishments — who are ready to make more waves.
Jai Opetaia
Jai Opetaia, an Australian southpaw, is one of cruiserweight division’s most notable rising stars. With an unblemished current record of 26–0, his victory over Mairis Briedis in 2022 to claim the IBF World Cruiserweight title was a career-defining moment — he outworked and outmaneuvered one of the division’s most respected champions despite battling through a fractured jaw.
One of Opetaia’s recent celebrations is a commanding title defense against Jack Massey. The fight, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marked his first defense of the IBF World Cruiserweight title. Opetaia outlanded Massey with a 42% accuracy rate in power punches.
At 29 years old, the IBF and “The Ring” magazine cruiser champion has expressed his ambition to eventually move up to the heavyweight division. Opetaia has stated, “I’m hoping to do that by the time I collect these belts and handle my business. And I feel like I would be able to hold the weight very easily. I know I’m big enough.”
Opetaia will be facing David Nyika on January 8th, defending his belt again — and it will be the first world title fight of 2025.
Subriel Matías
Subriel Matías, a 32-year-old Puerto Rican, has emerged as one of the most dangerous and exciting fighters in the junior welterweight division. With a perfect finishing rate in all 21 of his victories, all by KO, Matias is a nightmare for opponents and a real treat for viewers worldwide.
Matías’ career shot upward in February of 2023 when he captured the IBF junior welterweight title with an excellent performance against the previously undefeated Jeremias Ponce. The fight was stopped after five rounds.
He’s a high-output kind of guy, too; Matías averages over 85 punches per round. However, he’s also adaptable — Matías’ 2022 rematch against Petros Ananyan showed his improvement since their first meeting in 2020, with Matías avenging his first loss by securing a stoppage victory in the ninth round.
As no longer the IBF junior welterweight champion since his second professional loss to Liam Paro, which was a “Matchroom” debut, homecoming and world title loss all in one, Matias is ready for significant comebacks in 2025.
200
100% / €500
Junto Nakatani
Junto Nakatani, a 27-year-old southpaw from Japan, has rapidly climbed the ranks of boxing’s bantamweight division by boasting a record of 29 back-to-back wins, with 22 victories by knockout.
In 2024, Nakatani captured the WBC bantamweight title with a sixth-round technical knockout over Alexandro Santiago. He then defended the title against Vincent Astrolabio, securing a first-round body-shot knockout, and later achieved a sixth-round TKO against Petch Sor Chitpattana.
Looking ahead to 2025, Nakatani is scheduled to defend his title against David Cuellar (28–0, 18 KOs) on February 24th at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Beyond his immediate title defense, discussions are underway for a potential super fight between Nakatani and Naoya Inoue, a fellow Japanese boxing sensation.
Tim Tszyu
Tim Tszyu, nicknamed “The Soul Taker”, is a bully in the ring and in the super welterweight division with a professional record of 24 wins, 2 losses, and 17 knockouts.
In March of 2024, Tszyu faced Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas, suffering a split-decision loss with official scores of 116–112 for Tszyu, 115–113, and 116–112 for Fundora. This fight resulted in Tszyu receiving a medical suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission until May 15th due to a scalp laceration requiring ten stitches.
Then, in October, Tszyu challenged the IBF super welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. The fight concluded in the third round after Tszyu was knocked down four times, leading to a technical knockout. This defeat not only affected his standing in the division but also resulted in another, this time indefinite, medical suspension imposed by the Florida Athletic Commission.
Both setbacks have prompted Tszyu to reassess his health, overall approach and training — but he aims for a resurgence in 2025. He has expressed a desire to compete against Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr., and Jermell Charlo, his ideal adversaries, as well as reclaim his belts again.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis
Clearly, it is always sunny in Philly — Jaron “Boots” Ennis, a 27-year-old welterweight from Pennsylvania, has a professional record of 33 wins, 29 of which have been by knockout. His amateur career included a silver medal at the 2014 U.S. National Golden Gloves Championships and a gold medal in 2015.
Ennis made his professional debut in 2016, at 18, securing a first-round knockout against Cory Muldrew. He fought eight times in 2016, achieving seven knockouts and one unanimous decision, rapidly building a reputation. In 2017, Ennis won all nine of his fights, eight by knockout.
Freshly into 2023, Ennis secured the IBF interim welterweight title defeating Karen Chukhadzhian via unanimous decision. In July of 2024, Ennis doubled down on the title with a fifth-round technical knockout against David Avanesyan. He was later elevated to full IBF welterweight champion status in November.
Looking ahead to 2025, Ennis has expressed ambitions to unify the welterweight division and is actively pursuing unification fights.
50
175% UP TO €900
