Ok, many divisions could benefit from a cleaning-house style tournament, but probably none more than middleweight. It is a giant mess right now, and only seems to be getting worse. There are top fighters in the division, and many more coming in soon. However, the agendas and promotional backings could not be more different. First, I will break down the problem, and my idea for a solution as well. Let it never be said that I simply gripe, when I could help out.
As of now the players are: Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin, Canelo Alvarez, James Kirkland, Daniel Geale, Mayweather, Jorge Sebastian Heiland, Peter Quillin, Daniel Jacobs, Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam, and Andy Lee. There are more, but these are the ones that will be forced upon us by mandatories and sanctioning bodies, as well as previous fame. Taylor, Stevens, Macklin, Monroe, and others may find a way in, but as of now, they are out of range.
If Canelo beats Kirkland, I'd love it if he skipped Cotto/Geale winner, and called out Golovkin. He's the only big name who seems willing to face GGG, and Cotto-GGG will not happen. Should Cotto lose to Geale, nobody wants to see GGG-Geale 2. This would free up Mayweather to jump to 160 to make history by fighting the linear champion, even if everyone knows they are avoiding the true number one contender. If Mayweather vs. Geale or Cotto is being fought around the same time as Canelo-GGG, which fight do you think fans will consider for the real middleweight championship?
Speaking of Geale, I personally would love to see Geale retire Cotto. Miguel has been a great fighter, but holding the middleweight title hostage should not be rewarded. Geale has been the better man, or close to it, for every opponent except GGG, and the WBC is the one major belt he has not held. He will most certainly land the big fight if he gets the win. This may not happen easily, however. Heiland is the WBC mandatory, but GGG is their Silver champion. Confused? You should be, because it is stupid. If GGG beats Heiland this summer it will all be forgotten, but if not, then the WBC may further delay any big matches by forcing the winner to face Heiland. Cotto will most certainly stall, or give up the belt.
Taylor's retirement and the IBF stalling puts Brooklyn fans are ready to see Quillin-Jacobs, finally. Here is my plan for an 8-man tourney... including fights already scheduled.
Mayweather - stay at 147, face Thurman or Brook (Khan is ineligible, unless Mayweather pushes to November).
Canelo - Kirkland winner vs. Cotto - Geale winner
GGG vs Heiland
Quillin vs. Jacobs
Lee vs. N'Dam for IBF/WBO belts
I predict the winners to be Canelo, GGG, Jacobs, and Lee, and then Canelo vs. GGG will give GGG his first decision win. Jacobs would KO Lee late, but get KO'd by GGG. This may take two years to complete, but it would give us one champ, and Ward would make serious money from a GGG fight after all of this.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com