Chris Eubank Jr, Anthony Yarde, Josh Taylor, Andrew Selby… 12 boxers set to win their first-ever world title in 2018
A hatful of stars burst onto the scene last year to clinch their first title, including Gervonta Davis and George Groves
A HATFUL of stars burst onto the scene to clinch their first boxing title in 2017, including Gervonta Davis and George Groves.
Getting your hands on a belt is still the dream of any young boxer, even if it has been somewhat diluted thanks to the plethora of titles available these days.
Now, as we enter a new year, we run down a dozen of the most talented boxers keen to get their hands on a belt in 2018.
Check out our top 12 to watch, below...
CHRIS EUBANK JR
EUBANK JR is not yet recognised as a world champion by many boxing fans.
However, that looks set to change in 2018, as he prepares to take on Groves for the WBA super-middleweight title in February.
Seen as the bookies' favourite as this point after a string of dominant performances, this could be the year of Eubank.
OLEKSANDR GVOZDYK
UKRAINIAN boxer Gvozdyk is now one of the hottest prospects in the sport.
After clinching bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the European star has gone from strength-to-strength.
Boasting a record of 14-0, Gvozdyk looks set to get a crack at world title honours very soon, after topping both the WBC and WBO light-heavyweight rankings.
JOSH WARRINGTON
WARRINGTON is now mandatory challenger to Lee Selby after winning his IBF final eliminator in October 2017.
Now, he is set to have a crack at the featherweight title in 2018.
While Selby is the undoubted early favourite for their fight, perhaps Leeds-man Warrington could spring a surprise.
LUIS ORTIZ
CUBAN star Ortiz had the chance to get his hands on a world title in 2017... but had his fight with Deontay Wilder cancelled following a failed drugs test.
But now, American sensation Wilder appears ready to give Ortiz another chance this year.
While he remains the underdog for the bout, it's impossible to completely rule out the Cuban for the WBC heavyweight title.
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ANTHONY YARDE
YARDE smashed his way to the top of the "ones to watch" list in 2017 with five stoppage victories.
Now, the British star has the chance to make waves with a world title in 2018.
While light-heavyweight is an immensely competitive division, a first world title belt is not utterly unbelievable.
ANDREW SELBY
CERTAINLY not the youngest on our list, 29-year-old Selby is still an under-the-radar star.
The flyweight now boasts a 10-0 career record to become of Britain's top talents.
Now, Selby could be handed a shot at the big-time on the world stage in 2018.
REX TSO
THE WBO super-flyweight title is set to become vacant in 2018, as Naoya Inoue moves up a weight division.
That could give talented Hong Kong native Tso a chance grab the title for himself.
Tso is first in line for a crack at the belt and should have too much for whoever is put forward for the title fight.
YUNIER DORTICOS
DORTICOS is the current holder of the WBA cruiserweight belt... however, it is not recognised a world title by major sanctioning bodies.
However, the Cuban next takes on Murat Gassiev for the IBF title.
The fight genuinely could go either way, but a win would become Dorticos' first "official" world title.
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JOSE RAMIREZ
RAMIREZ is already in line to compete for the vacant WBC super-lightweight belt.
With a career 21-0 record, the American will take on Amir Imam for the title in March.
The fight will be Ramirez's first major shot at a world title belt... and he stands a strong chance of winning, too.
REGIS PROGRAIS
HOWEVER, hot on Ramirez's tail is Prograis, with a career record of 20-0 - just one win behind the American.
Prograis will now fight Viktor Postol for the WBC "interim" title.
The winner will be granted a chance to take on the winner of Ramirez vs Imam - with Prograis having a real chance to come out on top of the quartet.
JOSH TAYLOR
TAYLOR burst onto the scene in 2017 with a series of spectacular performances.
The Scot boxer is now tipped to win his first world title in 2018 in the super lightweight division.
As Terence Crawford opted to vacate the belts, Taylor is one of a series of boxers vying for the chance to become champion.
DANIEL JACOBS
AMERICAN middleweight Jacobs has only ever held the WBA "regular" title - still yet to hold a recognised world title.
Stuck in a division dominated by Gennady Golovkin - proud owner of three belts - Jacobs will still have a chance to get his hands on his first world crown in 2018, following the Canelo Alvarez rematch.
Jacobs will be hoping to take advantage as the titles could end up spread out following the GGG-Alvarez bout.