Eminent boxing journalist Dan Rafael shared an interesting list. As the year winds down, he mentioned the names of the youngest champions actively shaping the combat sports world. Boxing, it has often been said, is a young man’s sport. There are exceptions, though. Oleksandr Usyk just came off another victory over Tyson Fury. On January 17, he will turn 38. By September next year, his friend, Terence Crawford, will also turn thirty-eight.

However, as emphasized earlier, they are exceptions. But exceptions never make the rule. Most top-ranking boxers reach their peak between the ages of 28 and 35. Afterward, their careers often begin to wind down. However, a determined few make it a point to reach the top early in their careers. Like the Usyks and Crawfords, they are also rarities. It’s a different story—while some fade after reaching the top, others use their additional years in the sport to maintain their standing and build a new legacy.

Again, that might be an aberration. Therefore, it’s important to celebrate the young boxers who have overcome the odds to reach the pinnacle of the sport early, inspiring others to follow their example. Let’s take a closer look at the names Dan Rafael highlighted.

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, 24

Stepping into the ring for the second time this year, on November 6, Jesse Rodriguez defended his WBC and the Ring junior bantamweight title with ease. Including the 3rd-round knockout against Pedro Guevara, it was Rodriguez’s third consecutive early stoppage victory.

Many believe the world has yet to see the full potential of the San Antonio-born boxer who will turn 25 on January 20. With exceptional footwork and ring IQ, he reminds us of the prime days of Vasyl Lomachenko. Rodriguez is the youngest member of boxing’s elite top-ten pound-for-pound club.

Though already a well-recognized name, he made everyone take notice with last year’s drubbing of former champion Sunny Edwards. Many feel the loss hastened the Briton’s walk towards retirement. Six months later he returned to face the tough-as-nails champion and future Hall of Famer Juan Francisco Estrada for the 115-pound title.

In a bout that thrilled purists of the sport, Jesse Rodriguez experienced an unprecedented knockdown. But he quickly rebounded to deliver the knockout body shot that forced Estrada to the canvas.

Talks of an epic clash with 122-pound champion Naoya Inoue occasionally arise. For now, fans eagerly await ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’s return, potentially against the newly crowned Galal Yafai in the future.

David Morrell, 26

Osvary David Morrell Gutierrez Jr., or more commonly David Morrell, will turn 27, two days before Jesse Rodriguez celebrates his twenty-fifth birthday. The fact that this technically gifted boxer has made a name for himself in a division dominated by Canelo Alvarez, with stars like David Benavidez and Caleb Plant, speaks volumes about his skills.

Carrying the rich boxing traditions of his homeland, the Santa Clara, Cuba-born southpaw is standing at the cusp of glory. He became a WBA interim super middleweight champion a year after he professionally debuted. Subsequently it became a regular championship per the WBA’s order of titles. Before he moved up a division, Morrell defended the belt six times.

When chances of a fight against Canelo Alvarez dwindled, he decided to chase glory in the light heavyweight division. The win over Radivoje Kalajdzic cleared the way for a clash against Benavidez, who had already moved up to the 175-pound division. The two are now scheduled for a historic clash at the T-Mobile Arena on February 1.

The winner could face the victor of the highly anticipated Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch. Hence, Morrell will aim to solidify his legacy in what could be the defining moment of his career.

Junto Nakatani, 26

Another boxer gaining increasing attention is Junto Nakatani. In the world of Japanese boxing, Naoya Inoue stands as the dominant figure. With the pound-for-pound best reigning supreme, it’s no easy feat for any boxer to rise to the top. Yet, that’s exactly what Junto Nakatani has accomplished.

Steadily building up a resume that’s hard to ignore, the Inabe, Mie Prefecture-born boxer, will turn 27 two days from now. A former Japanese flyweight champion, he grabbed his first world title, the WBO flyweight, four years ago. Two years later, he climbed up a division to claim his second world championship.

Either challenging himself or perhaps aiming at the momentous clash against Inoue, Junto Nakatani joined the bantamweight roster early this year. On October 14, he defended his title for the second time.

Only time will tell if a showdown against ‘The Monster’ will materialize. For now, fans can look forward to the return of the best bantamweight in the world on February 24, when he defends his title against Mexican David Cuellar Contreras.

Jose ‘El Rayo’ Valenzuela, 25

It’s interesting to note. Following his second professional loss to Chris Colbert last March, many wrote off Jose Valenzuela. But nine months later, the Mexico-born southpaw silenced his critics. First, he avenged his loss to Colbert. Then, on August 3 this year, he returned to face WBA’s new light welterweight champion, Isaac Cruz.

After sharpening his skills at Robert Garcia‘s school, Valenzuela outclassed Cruz in a grueling twelve-round test and became a world champion for the first time. A matchup against Gervonta Davis appeared. But it is still not clear who ‘El Rayo’ will face in his next outing. Chances of a rematch against ‘Pitbull’ Cruz or a duel against number one-ranked Andy Hiraoka remain high, though.

Other Notable Mentions

Brian Norman Jr., 24

Till last year, one could have been forgiven for not knowing ‘The Assassin II.’ But not anymore. Following his impressive win over Giovani Santillan on May 18 this year, the welterweight boxer from Decatur, Georgia, has become a force to be reckoned with. The victory secured an interim WBO title. He became a full champion after Terence Crawford vacated the title and moved to the light middleweight division.

Later, talks of a big showdown against Jaron Ennis emerged only to cave in subsequently. Norman Jr. had a first title defense scheduled on November 8. However, a hand injury forced him to pull out of the bout against Derreick Cuevas.

Angel Ayala, 24

Though he marked his professional debut on March 7, 2019, Mexico City-born Angel ‘Chameleon’ Ayala achieved a career breakthrough on August 9 this year. After drubbing former IBF champion Felix Alvarado during last December’s title eliminator, Ayala faced Dave Apolinario to stake a claim to the vacant IBF flyweight title. The young boxer knocked down the Filipino fighter in the sixth round and became a world champion for the first time.

Anthony Olascuaga, 25

Tomorrow, on the first day of the new year, Anthony ‘Princesa’ Olascuaga will turn 26. Following his successful title defense against Puerto Rican Jonathan Gonzalez on October 14, he will be celebrating his birthday on a high note. Last April he suffered a knockout loss to champion Kenshiro Teraji. But Olascuaga rebounded a year later to defeat Riku Kano for the vacant WBO flyweight title. Given the fact that he started his professional journey just four years ago, it’s a commendable achievement indeed. Fans can now hope for a fight with divisional colleague Angel Ayala.

Erick Rosa, 24

Rosa, a champion in the second lightest weight class, started his career as a strawweight and became a world champion just two weeks ago. On December 19, he defeated Neider Valdez Aguilar and became the WBA junior flyweight champion. After his pro debut in October 202, he became the WBA (interim) strawweight champion. Six months later he defeated Vic Saludar by a split decision to secure the regular title.

These young champions embody the spirit of boxing, showcasing immense talent, determination, and resilience. As 2024 comes to a close, we celebrate their achievements and look forward to what they will bring to the sport in the coming years. Who are your favorite young boxing champions? Share your thoughts and wishes for their success in the comments below!