THE super-middleweight division has come a long way since 1984 when the IBF (formerly known as USBA-I) decided to create a super-middleweight world title. Britain’s Murray Sutherland would defeat Ernie Singletary to win the belt, and within five years, the three other sanctioning bodies got on board.
The 12 stone class also allowed Thomas Hearns and Sugary Ray Leonard to win another world title – while way beyond their best years – and in the 1990s, the Brits returned to the fold again. Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Richie Woodhall and Glenn Catley all got their hands on hardware. But none faced the great Roy Jones Jr during his two-year stop-off on his way to heavyweight history.
Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward would not only win titles but become regarded as two of this generation’s greatest fighters, while Carl Froch was another all-action Brit whose career exceeded expectations.
In 2024 Canelo Alvarez is the king and has faced little threat to his reign since becoming the four-belt undisputed champion in 2021. The Mexican, now a three-belt titlist, faces Puerto Rican Edgar Berlanga next month.
Light-heavyweights David Benavidez and David Morrell may come back down to 168lbs to rumble with Canelo if the deal is right while Christian Mbilli, Jaime Munguia (who Canelo beat last year), Diego Pacheco (who fights this Saturday) and Osleys Iglesias are in the mix for future title opportunities. In Britain Callum Simpson and Mark Jeffers look to be our best shots of success over the next couple of 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 fighters under 10 fights, there isn’t an awful lot to get excited about, but Boxing News plucked out three you’ll want to keep an eye on.
Hebert Conceição Sousa (Brazil)
Record: 6-0 (3 KOs)
Age : 26
Height: 6ft 1½ ins
Next fight: TBC
Sousa won middleweight gold at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, beating Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the final by third-round knockout with a terrific left hook, having looked nailed on to be taking home a silver medal. However, The Ukrainian got his hands on the main prize at this summer’s Paris Games in the 80kg category.
The Brazilian’s pro career kicked off with signing for the now-defunct Probellum in December 2021. Sousa has only managed six fights in two years, but the last of them was an eye-catching points win against compatriot and 2012 silver medallist Esquiva Falcao in June. Prior to that meeting, Falcao fought for his first professional world (middleweight) title against Vincenzo Gualtieri but lost on points to the eventual IBF champion.
Sousa is flashy, has fast hands, is an accurate body puncher and looked a level above Falcao. Certainly one to keep your eyes on.
Serhat Güler (Turkey)
Record: 7-0 (6 KOs)
Age: 28
Height: 6ft
Next fight: TBC
Güler is regarded as one of the best prospects ever to come out of Turkey. He began his career as a light-heavyweight but now finds himself ranked 14th with the WBC at 168lbs. And his move to super-middleweight looks to have suited him
The imposing and menacing sight of Güler does allow you to get your shots off but once his high guard catches them he takes his turn and dishes out punishment with heavy jabs and heavier hooks.
In Güler’s third outing he defeated Leon Bunn by 10th round knockout which is to be respected so early on in his career. Future opponents look to have a daunting task ahead of them in Germany or Turkey.
Luka Plantić (Croatia)
Record: 9-0 (8 KOs)
Age: 27
Height: 5ft 11½ ins
Next fight: vs. Catalin Paraschiveanu (10 rounds) – September 7
Before Güler recorded a heavy KO win over Bunn, there was a sixth win from six starts for Plantić. His 10th-round stoppage over Yusuf Kanguel gave the 2020 Olympian his fifth victory since resuming his career in 2022 after a four-year absence, having made his pro debut in 2018.
‘The Thunder’ uses his aggression effectively and will rarely be in dull fights but the overriding concern is his defence and if he continues on an upward trajectory from his WBC no.9 ranking then he will be in deep waters soon. But so far his power and suffocating tactics have proved too much for his nine opponents.
Former British champion Jack Cullen postponed his retirement to travel to Germany to face the Croat, but he was outgunned and stopped in the fifth. A future fight between Güler and Plantić could be on the cards in the next 18 months.