The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Which weightclass do you think has the least depth right now?
For me it's currently 154
Look at the title holders
WBA) Joachim Alcine (31), beat Travis Simms in a completely uneventful fight, he was basically handed the belt
WBO) Sergiy Dzinziruk (31), is keeping his title by fighting rookies in Germany
WBC) Vernon Forrest (36), Beat Baldomir for the title that PBF vacated, probably the best thing going at 154
IBF) Cory Spinks (29), boring fighter with great speed, couldn't get the nod at 160 against Taylor, so he's back fighting Verno Philips
on his 20th anniversary of being a pro.
The Contenders
ODLH (34) - we will have to wait until at least May and even then there is no marketable reason for him to fight at 154
Travis Simms (36) - His last outing proved even if you have all the talent in the world, lack of motivation will trump all you try to do
Verno Philips (37) - Definately past his best days, coming up on 20 years as a pro
Baldomechinacal (36) - Hard to not root for the guy, always the underdog and always showing heart, it's just not enough anymore at this level.
Joel Julio (22)- OK here's a decent prospect, my money is that he moves up to 160 within the year. Besides getting schooled on the art of the jab by Quintana and cutting it a little too close with Rivera, he definately has the head movement and power to make waves.
Michele Piccirillo (37) - Opening December by fighting Vernon Forrest, another definate contender, but too little too late IMO his best days are behind him
Roman Karmazin (34) - Lost close decisions to Castillejo and Spinks, the OTHER solid prospect in my opinion
So from all of this what i see is two solid contenders and a couple that are gonna move up or down in weight and the rest are a few fights away from retirement.
What's your opinions?
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
I agree with you great points.
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
I agree with what u say there. A lot of the really light weights aren't all that strong either.
I think 154 struggles because it is between 2 such prestigious divisions in welterweight and Middleweight.
For some reason it sounds a lot better on your resume to be middleweight champion of the world than it does Junior Middleweight champ.
Cruiserweight never seems to be really strong for the same reason.
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Before opening this thread first thing I thought was - 154 ;)
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
That division is pretty weak. If Ike Quartey can get down to 154, I'll favor him over all of the the title holders. Hell, he already beat Forrest
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
It's ironic, because if you asked what the two best divisions of this decade have been, the answer would be 126 and 154.
And if you asked me what the two weakest divisions are right now, the answer would probably be 126 and 154.
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Excellent observation, Killer.
For me though, it's the Jr. Welters. I look at that division and go... blah
After Hatton and Witter (who Hatton should be fighting instead of Mayweather) it's a bore. At least for me
Paulie Malinaggi ::**
Vivian Harris :-[
Souleymane M'Baye & Lovemore Ndou :-X
J.L. Castillo & Juan Lazcano :-\
Oh, and Ricardo Torres... >:mad
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Once calzaghe leaves SMe that will become rpetty weak, whislt kessler is awsome, the rest form what i have see are nothing to go out of your way for, granted i would liek to see bute more, but kessler will be the only thing @ that weight, maybe bounce back and move up for mikkel
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoxingGorilla
Excellent observation, Killer.
For me though, it's the Jr. Welters. I look at that division and go... blah
After Hatton and Witter (who Hatton should be fighting instead of Mayweather) it's a bore. At least for me
Paulie Malinaggi ::**
Vivian Harris :-[
Souleymane M'Baye & Lovemore Ndou :-X
J.L. Castillo & Juan Lazcano :-\
Oh, and Ricardo Torres... >:mad
At least at 140 there are some prospects though
Malignaggi is solid in his own way. D-Hop is the next judges favorite. Gavin Rees is OK. Kendall Holt is still a solid boxer besides getting caught against Torres. Hatton will probably come back down after Dec. 8th. Colin Lynes is showing a lot of promise.
Plus the guys you mentioned are solid gatekeepers.
And lastly the guys at 154 will be getting senior discounts on coffee very soon, lot's of young blood at 140.
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Lewis
Once calzaghe leaves SMe that will become rpetty weak, whislt kessler is awsome, the rest form what i have see are nothing to go out of your way for, granted i would liek to see bute more, but kessler will be the only thing @ that weight, maybe bounce back and move up for mikkel
Well Mundine should be coming back, he's definately improved since Kess beat him, as long as that eye problem isn't there he would be up there.
Kessler and Bute are both young and world class. Calzaghe as far as we know may stay at 168. Jean Pascal is quite a talent (and ego) he is up there with Bute. Then you have the pack
Bika
Manfredo Jr.
Berrio
Stieglitz
Green
Miranda
I don't think any of them are at the top level, but they all have something to challenge an up and comer with (except maybe Manfredo)
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by killersheep
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoxingGorilla
Excellent observation, Killer.
For me though, it's the Jr. Welters. I look at that division and go... blah
After Hatton and Witter (who Hatton should be fighting instead of Mayweather) it's a bore. At least for me
Paulie Malinaggi ::**
Vivian Harris :-[
Souleymane M'Baye & Lovemore Ndou :-X
J.L. Castillo & Juan Lazcano :-\
Oh, and Ricardo Torres... >:mad
At least at 140 there are some prospects though
Malignaggi is solid in his own way. D-Hop is the next judges favorite. Gavin Rees is OK. Kendall Holt is still a solid boxer besides getting caught against Torres. Hatton will probably come back down after Dec. 8th. Colin Lynes is showing a lot of promise.
Plus the guys you mentioned are solid gatekeepers.
And lastly the guys at 154 will be getting senior discounts on coffee very soon, lot's of young blood at 140.
Add in Lamont Peterson.
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by eagle
Quote:
Originally Posted by killersheep
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoxingGorilla
Excellent observation, Killer.
For me though, it's the Jr. Welters. I look at that division and go... blah
After Hatton and Witter (who Hatton should be fighting instead of Mayweather) it's a bore. At least for me
Paulie Malinaggi ::**
Vivian Harris :-[
Souleymane M'Baye & Lovemore Ndou :-X
J.L. Castillo & Juan Lazcano :-\
Oh, and Ricardo Torres... >:mad
At least at 140 there are some prospects though
Malignaggi is solid in his own way. D-Hop is the next judges favorite. Gavin Rees is OK. Kendall Holt is still a solid boxer besides getting caught against Torres. Hatton will probably come back down after Dec. 8th. Colin Lynes is showing a lot of promise.
Plus the guys you mentioned are solid gatekeepers.
And lastly the guys at 154 will be getting senior discounts on coffee very soon, lot's of young blood at 140.
Add in Lamont Peterson.
Holy shit, how did I miss him? he was on ESPN every other week. Shoot me in the face for that please.
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by killersheep
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Lewis
Once calzaghe leaves SMe that will become rpetty weak, whislt kessler is awsome, the rest form what i have see are nothing to go out of your way for, granted i would liek to see bute more, but kessler will be the only thing @ that weight, maybe bounce back and move up for mikkel
Well Mundine should be coming back, he's definately improved since Kess beat him, as long as that eye problem isn't there he would be up there.
Kessler and Bute are both young and world class. Calzaghe as far as we know may stay at 168. Jean Pascal is quite a talent (and ego) he is up there with Bute. Then you have the pack
Bika
Manfredo Jr.
Berrio
Stieglitz
Green
Miranda
I don't think any of them are at the top level, but they all have something to challenge an up and comer with (except maybe Manfredo)
apart form mikkel i don't rate any of them really
LMW should have spinks, ouma, forrest, baldi (i mean he beat judah) karmizan, much better bunch than the rest at SMW.
Re: The weakest weightclass in boxing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by killersheep
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Lewis
Once calzaghe leaves SMe that will become rpetty weak, whislt kessler is awsome, the rest form what i have see are nothing to go out of your way for, granted i would liek to see bute more, but kessler will be the only thing @ that weight, maybe bounce back and move up for mikkel
Well Mundine should be coming back, he's definately improved since Kess beat him, as long as that eye problem isn't there he would be up there.
Kessler and Bute are both young and world class. Calzaghe as far as we know may stay at 168. Jean Pascal is quite a talent (and ego) he is up there with Bute. Then you have the pack
Bika
Manfredo Jr.
Berrio
Stieglitz
Green
Miranda
I don't think any of them are at the top level, but they all have something to challenge an up and comer with (except maybe Manfredo)
Did you purposely leave out Froch? ;D