Meet British boxing’s brilliant seven who are set to burst on to scene in 2022 including Olympians Yafai and McCormack

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British boxing’s 2022 diary is already filling up with established names like Liam Williams, Chris Eubanks Jr., Josh Taylor Amir Khan and Kel Brook – but the new breed will support them.

Sky Sports, BT Sport and DAZN all have the starlets, prospects and raw diamonds they hope to bring on us and will be popping up with undercard talent and potential.

Galal Yafai sees fellow hot prospect Lauren Price in action in Tokyo

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Galal Yafai sees fellow hot prospect Lauren Price in action in Tokyocredit: Mark Aspland – The Times

The delayed 2020 Olympics finally took place over the summer and, while some of Team GB’s biggest hopes fell a bit short, a whole new generation of talent is about to turn professional.

And SunSport recommends that you delay your bar visit, toilet visit, or tea break the next time you see one of these names on the bill, inside the arena, or on the couch.

Because these stars are so hot, blink and you can miss them…

Caroline Dubois, 20: 0-0

One of the quietest characters in British boxing might be able to make the biggest noise.

Three years after winning the gold medal at the Youth Games, Caroline Dubois, now 20, made it to the quarter-finals at the Summer Olympics.

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The right-handed southpaw almost made her pro bow in November before being sidelined by illness, but Sky Sports will make a big deal about this pesky fighting prodigy in 2022 and no woman will be safe.

Many seasoned trainers, pundits and experts believe that the younger sister of heavyweight Daniels may be a once-in-a-generation genius capable of embodying everything previously seen in the Women’s Code.

Caroline Dubois set to make an impact in 2022

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Caroline Dubois set to make an impact in 2022credit: getty

Karol Itoma, 21: 5-0

Frank Warren is quietly carrying Kent’s light-heavyweight along and no one has done anything wrong so far.

Itauma won gold at the same Buenos Aires Youth Games as Caroline Dubois and, although she had little senior amateur experience, she looked perfect in her first five victories.

Itauma has only faced passengers so far, but those incredibly skilled and experienced men are the hardest to stop, with the Slovakian-born Itauma having three early dismissals.

Don’t expect any bullshit talk or bragging from this studious star who has landed a job in finance alongside her early fighting career.

But expect the rest of the 12th 7lbs division to have nightmares trying to tackle this southpaw.

And keep an eye out for little brother Enrico who’s making another massive splash in the game very soon.

Karol Itauma Thrives Under Frank Warren's Guidance

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Karol Itauma Thrives Under Frank Warren’s Guidancecredit: Arfa / Griffith Photographer

Galal Yafai, 29: 0-0

Pro star Kal and Gamal’s younger brother, 2020 Olympic golden boy Gamal, made a name for themselves in the summer in spectacular fashion.

With a large number of big names in Tokyo attracting the attention of Team GB, Yafai was able to quietly and gracefully go about his business and become an instant hero for Great Britain.

And the no-nonsense bramie already has plans for sensational feuds in the pro ranks with classy Croydon brothers Sunny and Charlie Edwards in their crosshairs.

Yafai came up short at the 2016 Games so that changed later in life, but that should mean he seeks a fasttrack to the world title once he starts in 2022.

Olympic hero Galal Yafai set to make an impact

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Olympic hero Galal Yafai set to make an impactcredits: PA

Adam Azim, 19: 2-0

It’s been almost 25 years since The Office was the best thing to get out of Slough, but now we have teen sensation Azim targeting the ribs with punches instead of laughs.

Outstanding youth coach Shane McGuigan takes the reins of stand-out amateur training and should excite any boxing fan when you see the coach’s recent work with champions such as Lawrence O’Coley and Josh Taylor.

Azim may not have realized this at the time, but it was probably because of the staggering and wrestling of elder brother Hassan in his childhood that it became difficult.

Sky Sports are quite keen on lightweights so expect to see a lot in 2022, but also give them plenty of time to grow.

Adam Azim could see a lot of screen time on Sky Sports in 2022

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Adam Azim could see a lot of screen time on Sky Sports in 2022credit: getty

Lauren Price, 27: 0-0

The 27-year-old middleweight Olympic glory in the summer was one of the happy moments of the Games.

Newport Southpaw was raised by grandparents who helped him become a sensational kickboxer, Cardiff City footballer and eventually a boxer.

Nayak has already talked with Eddie Hearn about becoming pro and world champion friend Savannah Marshall – who beat Price in the amateur – believes she can easily make it to the pro ranks at welterweight where she can even more. Can be powerful and flexible.

Lauren Price is another Brit boxer to star in Tokyo 2020

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Lauren Price is another Brit boxer to star in Tokyo 2020credit: Mark Aspland – The Times

Mark Chamberlain, 22:9-0

BT Sport Banger has already ousted six of its victims and that proved to be a fatal body puncture.

Lightweight ‘Mark Boy’ has overcome most of his early opponents, but still does not try to bully them or rush into his work.

Brutality is measured and is calm and clinical.

The Portsmouth lad is another soft-spoken killer who lets his fists do the talking, so you’ll probably hear the painful screams of your opponents before you hear Chamberlain chatter.

Mark Chamberlain is a soft spoken killer

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Mark Chamberlain is a soft spoken killercredit: getty

Pat McCormack: 26 – 0-0

Tyne & Wear twins Luke and Pat McCormack have rained terror on the domestic and international amateur scene and won dozens of gold and silver medals around the proud family home.

After winning a silver medal at the Summer Olympics, Pat and Luke have formed a relationship with top coach Ben Davison and that means he will learn every day in the gym with champions like Josh Taylor and Lee McGregor.

Pat’s style is expected to bring him almost instant success in the paid ranks, so don’t expect it to require many learning bouts—these boys mean business.

Pat McCormack working out with top trainer Ben Davison

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Pat McCormack working out with top trainer Ben Davisoncredit: Reuters

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