British boxing: UK’s heavyweight boom offers bright future

For so long it was the United States who dominated the heavyweights in the professional ranks, with Cuba shining in the amateur code.

Riddick Bowie was the last American to claim the undisputed world heavyweight champion in 1992.

In the 1990s, Eastern Europe emerged as the new hotbed before Britain recently came to power – largely thanks to heavy government investment and improvements in amateur programmes.

It has been six years since an American won a world title since Deontay Wilder lost his WBC crown to Fury.

“I think with America, their older boys go to play basketball or American football,” Warren said.

“There’s really no American football and basketball isn’t a huge sport here. The only other professional sport that can compete is rugby, but they don’t achieve anything like what boxing does.”

Jarrell Miller, 37, is the highest-ranked American among the four sanctioning bodies — tied for second with the WBA — despite doping violations and a lack of serious credentials to be a world-class competitor.

Richard Torrez Jr, who won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Games, is ranked number four with the IBF, but his title shot hopes were dealt a blow when the 27-year-old lost to Sanchez.

Jared Anderson, 26, is rebuilding after a loss to Martin Bacall in 2024, while Joshua Edwards, 26, is a 2024 Olympian who is undefeated in six professional bouts.

There is also excitement surrounding 19-year-old Joseph Awinongya Jr., who is already on the radar of promoters including Warren.