By Daven: We all know how talent stacked the 147 lb division currently is. In fact one could argue that the welterweight division has been the premier division in boxing throughout the last seventy years. Sugar Ray Robinson and Henry Armstrong are widely regarded as the two greatest boxers of all time and are renowned for their dominance at welterweight. These men went on to capture world titles at multiple weight class hence establishing a precedent for the great boxers that followed them.
Likewise Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard went on to accomplish similar things in the 1980s. Again these two individuals are considered as top 10 P4P fighters. All in all the welterweight division has been exciting for those who appreciate boxing history. This article will outline 5 fights that will consolidate the 147lb division as the best around.
5. Brandon Rios vs. Ruslan “Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov: Well, this fight has been touted especially by Rios over the last three months and I anticipate an announcement with enthusiasm. Both men are known for their come forward styles and Provodnikov especially relishes an all-out war. Ruslan in my view would get a TKO victory within 10 rounds, yet it would be a thoroughly enjoyable watch. He is becoming an avoided fighter if one believes the rumors about the magnificent Juan Manuel Marquez refusing to fight him. I personally believe this to be true, why else would he accept a fight with the weaker Mike Alvarado? It would have been logical for Marquez to meet the Siberian Rocky, as he defeated Alvarado last year.
4. Adrien Broner vs. Amir Khan: Both these fighters are known more for their trash talking as opposed to boxing skill and legitimacy. However, that doesn’t mean to say this fight would not be of interest to a demanding boxing community. If Khan loses to Luis Collazo in their fight on May 3rd, he’ll have few places to turn to. A fight with Broner could be his saving grace; plus should Collazo knock Khan out and should Broner struggle to beat Carlos Molina on May 3rd, then Golden Boy might cease protecting both men and just have them battle it out. After all this fight would sell no doubt. I’d give the edge to Khan mainly because Broner lacks power and more importantly he lacks dedication to the sport whilst Khan has for all his flaws been working hard in honing his skills. Last week Broner was pictured in a night club, looking overweight with John Wall. To me this is scandalous behavior. He has a fight in 5 weeks, yet he can’t dedicate himself to training camp? I’m sorry but this guy will not last.
3. Manny Pacquiao vs. Ruslan Provodnikov: Regardless of whether or not Pacquiao emerges victorious over Tim Bradley in their rematch on April 12th, a fight with Ruslan can still be made for Pacquiao. Is the Russian being avoided? Top Rank has such a small stable who else can Pacquiao fight? Rather than seeing a fifth instalment of Pacquiao- Marquez, a fight with the Siberian Rocky would be ideal for Manny to tell his doubters to back off. Pac-man would have to absorb a lot of body shots but his speed and technical ability should be enough to secure him a unanimous win over Provodnikov. Generally speaking a fight with a former sparring partner ensures decent sales as it adds to the back story, just like how Holmes-Ali proved to be a gigantic success. Moreover in UFC Evans vs Jones was a huge success too.
2. Marcos Maidana vs Lucas Matthysse: Although Matthysse is currently at 140, I believe he is ready to move up and make big money. The only fighter at light welterweight he can make money with is Danny Garcia, but that rematch is looking unlikely. That being said Lucas should get past his next opponent John Molina with ease in their fight on April 26th, then Matthysse can look to a giant September showdown with Maidana at an Argentine football stadium. The two have bad blood as Maidana defeated Matthysse in the amateurs and the latter is determined to get revenge. Lastly, Maidana will be seeking a big fight after he loses to the best in the world and this bout is the only one that come close to his pay day on May 3rd. Chino would beat Lucas in a close 12 round contest in my view but would be lucky to avoid being knocked down in the course of the fight.
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Manny Pacquiao: If Khan loses against Collazo, who is Maywather going to fight at welterweight and make big money with? IBF welterweight champion Shawn Porter would be a good opponent, but I don’t think he’d be taken seriously as a credible threat to the King. Moreover, the likes of Devon Alexander and Keith Thurman need to build the profiles more. That leaves nobody at 147 from Golden Boy. Likewise, Pacquiao is running out of opponents. If Pacquiao beats Bradley, he will probably end up fighting Marquez next September, although I’d rather it be Siberian Rocky. However, Mayweather has to realize that if Khan does lose to Collazo, he is in trouble too. Floyd Mayweather Sr. has made it clear that he wants his son to only fight at 147 in the future, but with very few fighters credible enough to take on the challenge, I can see them turning to Pacquiao. Manny is clearly past his best yet he is such a worldwide star that he would generate mega money with Floyd. Ultimately Bob Arum would have to play a minimal part in negotiations and Pacquiao would have to abide by Money’s Olympic style drug tests but I do believe Showtime and HBO could work this out. That being said Floyd could always fight at 154 but that division is depleted of quality so should he fight there he cannot expect big pay per view buys that’s for sure.
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