Oscar De La Hoya has backed an unbeaten American heavyweight to take the division by storm in years to come.
Some of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history have hailed from the USA, including the likes of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, George Foreman and Joe Louis.
The last American heavyweight to hold a major version of the world heavyweight championship was Deontay Wilder, who reigned as the WBC champion between 2015 and 2020.
One young fighter in particular that will be looking to fly the flag for American heavyweight boxing within the next few years is 2024 Olympian Joshua ‘The Rocket’ Edwards, who is unbeaten in five bouts since making his professional debut back in April.
Edwards signed with De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions in January and has already established himself as one to watch, with many even considering him to be one of the stars of the future.
Speaking to talkSPORT, De La Hoya admitted that he believes Edwards has what it takes to become American’s next world heavyweight champion.
“I believe I have the golden nugget here in the US in Joshua Edwards who could make some noise and create some big heavyweight fights here in the US against the great fighters in Europe. I believe Joshua Edwards is the guy to bring back the heavyweight title to the US.”
‘The Rocket’ made his return to the ring last weekend when he stopped Zeno Vooris in the third round of their bout as the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, extending his unbeaten record to 5-0 with five stoppages.
