British boxing is down to one men's world title. Can the next generation save a 37-year championship run?
Liverpool’s Nick Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs) is currently the sole defender of a British boxing record that has dated back to 1988.
In fact, the last time Great Britain didn’t boast a male holder of either the WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO world championship was before the fall of the Berlin Wall, before the Stone Roses’ self-titled debut album and before the birth of this very own Uncrowned writer, yours truly.
Throughout the '90s, aughts and 2010s (!?) British fighters have collected a plethora of world titles up and down the weight classes, peaking with an astonishing 14 beltholders in 2014, benefitting from the heady days of a post-2012 London Olympics and a Carl Froch vs. George Groves boom.
Now, in August 2025, the “Wrecking” Ball — the reigning WBA featherweight champion — is the last man standing on these shores, joined by Lauren Price (9-0, 2 KOs) Ellie Scotney (11-0, 0 KOs), Caroline Dubois (11-0-1, 5 KOs) and Terri Harper (16-2-2, 6 KOs) across the female code.
But this isn’t expected to last for long.
There is a queue of talented Brits waiting for their world championship opportunities, some destined for greatness. Who are the most likely candidates to keep that 37-year title streak alive? Let's take a look.
Hamzah Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs)
Sheeraz’s five-round destruction of Edgar Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) in Queens, New York back in July has springboarded the 26-year-old into the consciousness of the super middleweight division.
Now working under the detailed eye of Andy Lee, the Slough-born fighter is knocking on the door of title opportunities at 168 pounds, with his route due to become clearer following “Canelo” Alvarez’s (63-2-2, 39 KOs) Sept. 13 bout with Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs).
It could have easily derailed for Sheeraz.
An underwhelming and controversial draw against Carlos Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) in Saudi Arabia shined a light on a few of his shortcomings, but now with eight pounds fewer to cut and a renewed focus, Sheeraz is being tipped as one of Britain’s best bets for greatness over the next decade.
Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs)
It’s widely viewed as a question of "when" rather than "if" when it comes to Moses Itauma winning a world championship.
The 20-year-old heavyweight has blitzed his way through to 13-0 in two and a half years as a pro, and is now being pushed into the middle of the dance floor for the rest of the division to look up and down.
But just how quickly those in the Moses Itauma business should push him remains the billion-dollar question.
The old guard of Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua — combined age, 110 years old — are all heading towards retirement and the world titles are expected to fragment, to some degree, over the next 12 months.
A Filip Hrgovic, Martin Bakole or Zhilei Zhang-level of opponent is probably where Itauma will head next as he builds his résumé further, until Queensberry's Frank Warren lands him a shot at world glory.
And then? Good luck in getting any titles off him.
Dalton Smith (18-0, 13 KOs)
On Nov. 22, Sheffield’s Dalton Smith challenges Subriel Matias (23-2, 22 KOs) for the WBC junior welterweight world title on the Ring IV card in Saudi Arabia.
Matias won the strap on the same night as Sheeraz’s erasing of Berlanga, having edged Alberto Puello (24-1, 10 KOs) via majority decision in an entertaining scrap at the 140-pound limit.
Smith has done his doggies and worked through the levels of the junior welterweight division, winning the English, British, Commonwealth and European titles, and now, in his 19th pro bout, is moving into range of a world title.
Smith has been highly touted by Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn over the past few years, matched extremely well and is now knocking on the door at the top of the division.
The future for Smith looks bright across the junior welterweight landscape, with big-money fights available to him if he is able to navigate a route past Matias, as well as a domestic grudge to be settled against Adam Azim (13-0, 10 KOs).
Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs)
On the same card on Nov. 22, Sam Noakes will have the opportunity to bag a world title of his own at 135 pounds, but will have to do it the hard way.
The 28-year-old clashes with Cleveland’s Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) in a battle of unbeaten lightweights, with the WBO’s vacant title the prize on offer.
Noakes will be considered a big underdog travelling to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this fall, with Mason, 21, considered one of the brightest prospects in the sport across all weight classes.
But Noakes will be relying heavily on his experience giving him an edge.
Despite not yet mixing it with an elite operator, the Kent fighter has endured and overcome testing 12-rounders with hardened lightweights including Yvan Mendy and Ryan Walsh.
Lewis Crocker (21-0, 11 KOs)
Belfast will play host to a slice of boxing history on Sept. 13, as Lewis Crocker (21-0, 11 KOs) and Paddy Donovan (14-1, 11 KOs) collide once more — this time with the vacant IBF welterweight crown hanging above their heads.
Windsor Park, home of Northern Ireland’s footballing faithful, will be the stage, marking the first world title fight contested solely between two fighters from the island of Ireland.
The belt, recently relinquished by American standout Jaron “Boots” Ennis as he marches up to light middleweight, now lies in wait for one of these bitter rivals.
Their first encounter back in March — a final eliminator before 8,500 fans at the SSE Arena — ended in controversy. Crocker had his hand raised by disqualification after Donovan, already twice docked points, was dismissed for a punch thrown after the bell closed round eight.
Despite adding to his win column, Crocker was largely outclassed by Donovan throughout their eight contested rounds, and will require a major tactical re-think if he is to bring the title back to Northern Ireland.
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