Boxing’s brightest teenagers include Floyd Mayweather protege and youngest world champion

As our understanding of science, diet, and exercise advances, athletes are extending their physical primes in both directions.

The two best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk, are 38 years old, while Erislandy Lara and Badou Jack are both reigning world champions at the grand old age of 42.

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The same can be said on the other side of the age bracket, where it is becoming commonplace for stunning feats to be achieved under the age of 23 years old.

Last year, Gabriela Fundora became the youngest undisputed champion of the four-belt era when she unified the flyweight division at just 22 years old.

Camila Zamorano also recently stamped her name into the annals of boxing history by becoming the second youngest world champion ever at 17 years old.

And so, with that remarkable achievement in mind, here, talkSPORT.com takes a closer look at the best teenage boxers in the world right now.

Curmel Moton (8-0, 6KOs)

Lightweight prospect, 19 years old

With legendary five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather backing his career, Curmel Moton has some lofty expectations to live up to.

He hasn’t put a foot wrong in the ring so far, although his ascent was stalled last year by weight-making issues.

The teenage sensation came in 15.7lbs over the agreed 133lbs catchweight limit for his bout with Bryan Mercado in November 2024, resulting in the contest getting canned.

Since then, Moton has stayed on weight and continues to impress on big undercards.

His Matrix-like reflexes, tight defence and heavy hands have caught the eye of many preeminent figures, who are tipping him as a world champion in waiting.

instagram @curmelmoton1

Camila Zamorano (13-0, 1KO)

WBC atomweight world champion, 17 years old

The woman around whom the list was built, Zamorano, became the youngest female world champion in boxing history earlier this year at 17 years and 293 days old.

In June, she outpointed Japan’s Mika Iwakawa to become the interim WBC atomweight champion before she was upgraded to full champion on October 15 following the retirement of her predecessor, Tina Rupprecht.

The only boxer to have got their hands on a world title at a younger age was Puerto Rican legend Wilfred Benitez, who became WBA and lineal super lightweight champion with a win over Antonio Cervantes in March 1976, when he was 17 years and 176 days old.

Zamorano has now joined Benitez as the only other boxer to have held a world title at 17 and successfully defended her green and gold strap against Sana Hazuki two months ago.

Tiah-Mai Ayton (3-0, 3KOs)

Bantamweight prospect, 19 years old

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The pick of the bunch on British shores is Tiah-Mai Ayton.

The Bristol boxer won all 21 of her amateur bouts during a brief but fruitful stint that included five national titles, a Harringey Box Cup and a gold medal at the 2024 World Boxing Under-19 Championships.

As a professional, she has blown away three journeywomen inside the distance.

And while stiffer tests are sure to come, Ayton’s excellent fundamentals and natural finishing instincts bode well for her future in the paid ranks.