The super middleweight division has grown rapidly since 1984 when the IBF (formerly known as the USBA-I) decided to create a super middleweight world title. Britain’s Murray Sutherland defeated Ernie Singletary to win the belt, and within five years, three other sanctioning bodies had joined the fray.
The 12 stone division also allowed Thomas Hearns and Sugary Ray Leonard to win further world titles – despite being past their prime – and in the 1990s, British boxing made a comeback. Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Richie Woodhall and Glenn Catley all got their hands on the hardware. None, however, faced the great Roy Jones Jr during his two-year layoff on his way to heavyweight history.
Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward have not only won titles but are also considered two of the greatest fighters of this generation, while Carl Froch is another great British fighter whose career has exceeded expectations.
In 2024, Canelo Alvarez is king and has faced few threats to his reign since becoming the undisputed four-belt champion in 2021. The Mexican, now a three-belt champion, will face Puerto Rican Edgar Berlanga next month.
Light heavyweights David Benavidez and David Morrell could drop back down to 168lbs to fight Canelo if the deal is right while Christian Mbilli, Jaime Munguia (who Canelo beat last year), Diego Pacheco (who will fight this Saturday) and Osleys Iglesias are all in contention for a future title shot. In the UK, Callum Simpson and Mark Jeffers appear to be the best candidates for success over the next few years.
On Saturday night in Carson, Diego Pacheco continues his ascent towards a world super middleweight title shot when he takes on Maciej Sulecki. But who is the next generation? Looking at the fighters who have fought under 10 fights, there’s not much to be proud of, but Boxing News choose three things you need to pay attention to.
Hebert Conceição Sousa (Brazil)
Record: 6-0 (3 KO)
Age : 26
Height: 6 feet 1½ inches
Next fight: TBC
Sousa won the middleweight gold medal at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, defeating Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the final with a third-round knockout via a thunderous left hook, after appearing certain to take home the silver medal. However, the Ukrainian went on to claim the top prize at this summer’s Paris Games in the 80kg category.
The Brazilian’s professional career began with a signing with the now-defunct Probellum in December 2021. Sousa has only managed six fights in two years, but his last was a stunning unanimous decision win over compatriot and 2012 silver medalist Esquiva Falcao in June. Prior to that fight, Falcao fought for his first professional world (middleweight) title against Vincenzo Gualtieri but lost on points to the IBF champion.
Sousa is flashy, has quick hands, is an accurate body attacker and has a better presence than Falcao. He is definitely a player to watch.
Serhat Guler (Türkiye)
Record: 7-0 (6 KO)
Age: 28
Height: 6 feet
Next fight: TBC
Güler is considered one of the best prospects Turkey has ever produced. He started his career as a light heavyweight but is now ranked 14th.th with the WBC at 168lbs. And his move to super middleweight seems to suit him
Güler’s impressive and menacing presence does allow you to get off shots, but once his high defense catches the blow, he takes his turn and delivers punishment with hard punches and heavier hooks.
In Güler’s third fight, he defeated Leon Bunn by KO in the 10th round, a respectable achievement so early in his career. His next opponents look set to face a tough task in Germany or Turkey.
Luka Plantić (Croatia)
Record: 9-0 (8 KO)
Age: 27
Height: 5 feet 11½ inches
Next fight: vs. Catalin Paraschiveanu (10 rounds) – September 7
Before Güler recorded a decisive knockout win over Bunn, Plantić had won six of his six fights. His 10th-round stoppage of Yusuf Kanguel gave the 2020 Olympian his fifth win since resuming his career in 2022 after a four-year hiatus, having made his professional debut in 2018.
‘The Thunder’ uses his aggression effectively and is rarely in a boring fight, but his main concern is his defence and if he continues to climb from his WBC No.9 ranking he will soon find himself in trouble. So far, however, his power and suffocating tactics have proved too much for his nine opponents.
Former British champion Jack Cullen put his retirement on hold to travel to Germany to face the Croatian fighter, but was outnumbered and stopped in the fifth round. The next fight between Güler and Plantić could come within the next 18 months.
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