Defending the welterweight division as the best in boxing today:
The welterweight division has always been one of the marquee classes in the sport. From Henry Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson, to Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns, and today, nearly the whole lot of the sport’s biggest active stars, the division has always been talent- and star-rich.
So is 147 lbs the best division in the sport? Take a look at our ratings and add your own thoughts below.
See the full series – Which weight division is the best in boxing today?
Excitement:
I’m actually downgrading the division’s “excitement” rating because of The Fight That Never Was – Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. It created a massive void for not only the division, but the entire sport. Beyond that, watching Mayweather, the preeminent technician of his time, is something all fans should appreciate, but not all find exciting.
Timothy Bradley is an ugly fight waiting to happen, but his war with Ruslan Provodnikov was scintillating. Of course, Provodnikov is back down to 140 lbs. Juan Manuel Marquez’s KO of Pacquiao though is one of the “where were you when?” moments of the current generation. Marcos Maidana and Adrien Broner each provide excitement in their one way, and guess what, they square off next.
In other words, there’s a good deal of excitement, but a massive buzz-kill lingers, and the division has to be marked down as a result.
Points: 2/5
[Also See: Top 10 Welterweights in Boxing History]
Depth:
Welterweight is deep, and has been fortified by handfuls of the sport’s top lightweights and junior welterweights coming up to ply their trade in these rich waters. Mayweather, Marquez, Bradley and Pacquiao offer a fearsome foursome at the top of the division.
But look at the rest of the loaded top 10 at welterweight – Broner, Devon Alexander, Maidana, Robert Guerrero, Keith Thurman and Kell Brook. Very talented group. Then look at the guys on the outside looking in – Khan, Andre Berto, Jesus Soto-Karass, Josesito Lopez, Selcuk Aydin, Paulie Malignaggi, Vyacheslav Senchenko… the list goes on.
A fan could tick off 15 or 20 of the best names at welterweight in a way that all but the most diehards of us couldn’t do for any other division.
Points: 5/5
Star Power:
This division has stars in spades. Mayweather and Pacquiao are undoubtedly the sport’s two biggest names. Broner, or Mini-Mayweather, is looking to establish himself as a big draw, but his controversial ways have at least made him viable as water cooler conversation. Marquez had big-name status elude him for much of his career, but finally has ascended the ranks of the sport’s A-list. Amir Khan is a huge international star, and has good recognition stateside as well.
Points: 5/5
Potential & Influence:
The potential and influence of the welterweight division couldn’t be higher. It’s one of the three classic divisions in the sport that draws in casual fan interest; it’s spearheaded by the sport’s two biggest names, Mayweather and Pacquiao; and it’s also home to the sport’s preeminent top-level rivalry, Pacquiao and Marquez. Potential rematches abound – Bradley vs. Alexander, Pacquiao or Marquez II, Pacquiao vs. Marquez V – and a host of guys are awaiting to emerge with breakout performances. While nobody should hold their breath, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao could technically still happen, and damn them all, they know we’re still buying it.
Points: 5/5
Pound for Pound:
The division is at its best in terms of rating its pound for pound status. Two of the top three fighters in the world are active at Welterweight – Mayweather (#1) and Marquez (#3). Meanwhile, Pacquiao is rated at #11 in our latest standings, Broner is #13, and Bradley is at #17 — and all have potential to make it to the top 10. On the outside looking in, Alexander, Khan and Guerrero all have been in our top 20 in recent lists, but aren’t currently, while guys like Brook, Maidana and Thurman are all a big win away from a top 20 listing.
Points: 9
26 Total
The welterweight division is buoyed by star power, depth and bonafide pound for pound credentials in a way that no other weight class can match.
