Who’s The Next King at 140?
The Junior Welterweight division is one of the hottest in the sport right now, filled at the top with some exciting young fighters. Recently, there was some talk of a Junior Welterweight Tournament, but the idea was rejected. I think it could have been great for boxing. If the tournament were to happen, I believe I know how I would have turned out.
Technically, Manny Pacquiao is still the champ at 140, but there is no way he would participate in this tournament, with his future being tied up with potential bouts against Floyd Mayweather at 147 lbs, or potentially a second match with Miguel Cotto at 154 lbs. It’s safe to say Pacquiao will not fight at 140 again, so he should vacate his Ring Magazine title so that the winner of the Junior Welterweight Tournament can have a chance to win that historic belt.
The 8 fighters competing in the 140 lb tournament are:
- WBC/IBF Champion Devon Alexander
- WBO Champion Timothy Bradley
- WBA Champion Amir Khan
- Marcos Maidana
- Lightweight World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez
- Ricky Hatton
- Victor Ortiz
- Lamont Peterson
I know that 1-5 were obvious choices but why 6-8? Hatton, I think, still wants to fight, and this would be a chance for him to re-establish himself. I personally don’t think he has too much left, but I think fans will watch him fight, especially if he fights Amir Khan. Ortiz is an exciting young fighter who I think the public would like to see in the tournament similar to how Andre Dirrell and Andre Ward are competing in the 168 lb tournament.
Peterson just lost to Bradley, but I think he would be given a chance because Bradley didn’t blow him away, and he is a young American fighter who will generate more interest than if the last spot in the tournament went to Juan Urango or Andriy Kotelnik. Zab Judah would also be looked at for the last spot, but I just don’t think he deserves it.
Junior Welterweight Tournament Format and Matches
As much as I love the 168 lb tournament, I’m not really a big fan of round robin, so hopefully the 140 lb tournament would be single elimination. You seed all eight fighters and the match-ups would turn out to be:
1. Alexander vs. 8. Peterson
4. Maidana vs. 5. Marquez
3. Khan vs. 6. Hatton
2. Bradley vs. 7. Ortiz
Alexander vs. Peterson
This should be a good fight. Two boxer-punchers going at, the contrast being that Alexander is a southpaw. I would expect Peterson to try to press the attack early with Alexander mostly fighting on the outside racking up points. Eventually in the middle rounds, Alexander comes inside and we see some good exchanges. I see Alexander as a harder puncher than Peterson, but he won’t stop him, Alexander will win a hard earned decision.
Result: Alexander by decision
Maidana vs. Marquez
Easily the best fight of the first round. The fight will go one of two ways: Maidana, who is the hardest puncher in the tournament, comes forward looking to brawl and Marquez, who has been in some great action fights, gets lured into exchanging bombs at close range. The other way the fight could go is that Marquez probably gets buzzed early in the fight and then just tries to counter Maidana as he’s coming in, and as long as he can avoid another big shot from Maidana, wins a decision.
I suspect the former will happen. Much like Marquez’s fight with Juan Diaz where Marquez wanted to box, but ended up slugging with Diaz, he will give in to temptation and eventually Maidana and Marquez will trade and that’s not good for Marquez. Maidana knocks down Marquez multiple times and stops him somewhere around 7 rounds.
Result: Maidana by KO
Khan vs. Hatton
Probably the most anticipated fight of the first round. The future of British boxing looks to take the torch from Britain’s best fighter the last decade. Everyone will be anxious to see what Hatton has left. Hatton will do what he always does, which is come forward and look to brawl. There could be a lot of holding and clinching. Hatton won’t be able to execute his game plan as effectively as in the past. While Hatton will frustrate Khan, it won’t be enough to stop Khan from busting up Hatton. I think Khan gets Hatton to finally realize he’s done. Hatton quits on his stool around 10 rounds.
Result: Khan by KO
Bradley vs. Ortiz
Bradley will probably apply pressure looking to make a statement to the other fighters in the tournament. Ortiz could land a big shot and hurt Bradley. While Ortiz’s chin is suspect, I don’t think Bradley has the power to take Ortiz out. In fact, I believe Ortiz has enough power to keep the fight close. However, in the end Bradley wins by decision because of his superior hand speed. Ortiz shouldn’t have anything to be ashamed of as I think he could end up having the best showing of the four men who lost their fights.
Semi-finals
4. Maidana vs. 1. Alexander
3. Khan vs. 2. Bradley
Maidana vs. Alexander
Expect fireworks. I think Alexander’s chin will hold up. Alexander’s power could end up being the difference. When you add Alexander’s power with his superior hand speed, it will add up to a decision for Alexander with an outside chance of an Alexander knockout.
Result: Alexander by decision
Khan vs. Bradley
This is going to be a very close fight. I would maybe give a slight advantage to Bradley. I think that Khan is the harder puncher and more talented fighter, but Bradley seems tougher, and when this fight gets into the late rounds that will carry him through.
Result: Bradley by decision
Junior Welterweight Tournament Championship
2. Bradley vs. 1. Alexander
The two top seeds make it through to the finals to determine the king at 140. Just like it should be, I expect this to be the best fight of the tournament as both fighters leave everything they have in the ring. I see Alexander having the advantage with his Southpaw style and I also consider him the harder puncher. I expect Alexander will keep Bradley off balance with his jab and show him some different angles. In the end, Alexander wins a split decision to win the 140lb crown.
Result: Alexander by decision
Aftermath: Alexander moves up to 147, looking for Pacquiao and Mayweather. By that time though, Andre Berto may be king at 147. Look for a fight between Berto and Alexander, the newly crowned winner of the junior welterweight tournament.
