Khaleel Majid

Bio

Khaleel Majid is one of the more carefully managed British prospects in Queensberry's stable. The 23-year-old Birmingham-based lightweight has gone 11-0 with eight stoppages by being properly protected — every opponent matched to expose a specific skill, every round of every fight banked at the level Frank Warren wants the kid building at.

What stands out about Majid is the punching power for the weight. He hits hard at 135, with both hands, and the right hand specifically has been the finishing weapon in seven of his eight stoppage wins. The boxing IQ has been improving — patient feet, sensible jab, decent body work — but the proper questions about his ceiling haven't been asked yet.

The May 9 fight against former British and Commonwealth lightweight champion Gavin Gwynne on the Wardley-Dubois Manchester undercard is the proper test. Gwynne fights every round, has been knocked down in fights he won, has knocked others down too. He's going to walk Majid down, force him to fight off the ropes, and find out whether the prospect can cope with twelve hard rounds. Brilliant matchmaking. The result tells you everything about whether Majid is a British champion in waiting or just another well-managed unbeaten record.