British boxing: UK’s heavyweight boom offers bright future

For so long it was the USA who dominated at heavyweight in the professional ranks, with Cuba shining in the amateur code.

Riddick Bowe was the last American who could claim to be the undisputed world heavyweight champion in 1992.

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

It is now six years since an American held a world title, after Deontay Wilder lost his WBC crown to Fury.

“I think with America, their big guys go play basketball or American football,” said Warren.

“There is no American football here really and basketball isn’t a massive sport here. The other professional sport which could be competition is rugby, but they can’t earn anything like what they can in boxing.”

Jarrell Miller, 37, is the highest-ranked American across the four sanctioning bodies – sitting second with the WBA – despite doping violations and a lack of serious credentials to be a world-level competitor.

Richard Torrez Jr, who won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Games, is ranked number four with the IBF, but the 27-year-old’s hopes of a title shot took a hit in May when he lost to Sanchez.

Jared Anderson, 26, is rebuilding after defeat by Martin Bakole in 2024, while Joshua Edwards, 26, is a 2024 Olympian who is unbeaten in six professional bouts.

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