Last February, we looked at "Boxing's Next Generation" and tried to predict which young fighters represented the "future" of the sport. Just one year later and two fighters from that list - Jermain Taylor and Ricky Hatton - have already defeated future Hall of Famers and find themselves comfortably slotted among the Top Ten Pound-for-Pound fighters in the world today.
So as that group of fighters continue to progress in their careers, who are today's talented young prospects that merit careful attention? Who will boxing fans be watching on PPV in the coming years?
To qualify for this list a boxer must be under 25 years of age and must not have appeared in a WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO title fight. Here they are - Boxing's Top 25 Under 25:
1. Joel Jair Julio (21, welterweight, 26-0, 23 KOs)
Incredibly gifted fighter but being moved slowly since he's only 21 and his first 18 bouts were in Columbia against very questionable opposition.
2. Andre Dirrell (23, super middleweight, 5-0, 4 KOs)
This 6-2 southpaw won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics. Relies a bit too much on natural ability but, hey, that didn't really hold Roy Jones Jr. back too much, did it?
3. Rock Allen (24, welterweight, 5-0, 5 KOs)
2004 Olympian possesses heavy hands and an incredibly powerful physique.
4. Vicente Escobedo (24, lightweight, 9-0, 9 KOs)
2004 U.S. Olympian has good size and power for a lightweight. Lots of great potential match-ups in his future. Promoted by Oscar De La Hoya.
5. Vanes Martirosyan (19, junior middleweight, 7-0, 4 KOs)
2004 Olympian is only 19 and has Freddy Roach in his corner. The future looks bright.
6. Andre Ward (21, middleweight, 7-0, 4 KOs)
The only gold medallist from the 2004 U.S. Olympic team has the tools to be a terrific pro as well. Some questions about his chin but posted 6-0 record in 2005 with three knockouts.
7. Amir Khan (19, lightweight, 5-0, 4 KOs)
2004 Olympic silver medalist for Great Britain is still only 19. Needs to continue to develop and avoid the lure (and pressure) of being rushed into a big fight.
8. Chad Dawson (23, super middleweight, 21-0, 14 KOs)
With a few more fights under his belt, this 6-foot-3 southpaw will prove a handful for any super middleweight in the world.
9. Abner Mares (20, junior featherweight, 7-0, 5 KOs)
2004 Olympian from Mexico is only 20. Has yet to fight a decent opponent as a pro but time - not to mention talent - is on his side.
10. Raul Martinez (24, bantamweight, 13-0, 10 KOs)
After a solid amateur career, he's slowly but steadily moving up the ranks as a professional.
11. Lamont Peterson (21, junior welterweight)
12. Andre Berto (22, junior middleweight)
13. Anthony Peterson (20, lightweight)
14. Curtis Stevens (20, light heavyweight)
15. Anthony Dirrell (21, super middleweight)
16. Jason Litzau (22, featherweight)
17. Kendall Holt (24, welterweight)
18. Kelly Pavlik (23, middleweight)
19. Dmitriy Salita (23, light welterweight)
20. Jorge Linares (20, super featherweight)
21. Alexander Dimitrenko (23, heavyweight)
22. Robert Guerrero (22, featherweight)
23. Jorge Paez Jr. (18, junior welterweight)
24. Michael Marrone (20, heavyweight)
25. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (20, welterweight)
Who's missing from this list? Share your opinions on the boxing forum.