There are many divisions that could benefit from a tournament like the one currently underway at 168lbs. This is especially true for the lighter weight classes. Imagine if the Thai and Japanese stars actually had to come test their mettle in this hemisphere. While it would be exciting, the continental divide is probably the reason we would not see this. There is a division, however, that I believe should be in the on-deck circle for a little round-robin action: The Junior Welterweights. The reasons are numerous, but the top three would have to be:
1) Many are already fighting each other, and not inhibited by their national boundaries.
2) It will bring them out of the shadow of their more prominent big brother, the Welterweights.
3) Winning that tourney is the only way any of them are getting within a stone's throw of that Pacquiao and Mayweather money.
In a division so deep, you are bound to leave a few good ones out, but here are the top six i believe should be included: Ricky Hatton, Paulie Malignaggi, Timothy Bradley, Amir Khan, Marcos Maidana, Juan Diaz.
Round 1: Hatton vs. Diaz. Maidana vs. Khan. Malignaggi vs. Bradley.
Round 2: Hatton vs. Khan. Diaz vs. Bradley. Malignaggi vs. Maidana
Round 3: Bradley vs. Maidana. Diaz vs. Khan. Malignaggi vs. Hatton
Who this leaves out: Many, of course, but Manny Pacquiao, Kendall Holt, Zab Judah, Andreas Kotelnik, Victor Ortiz, Nate Campbell, Joel Casamayor, Devon Alexander, and Juan Urango top the list. Here's why:
Pacquiao - He doesn't need it. He is the prize for the winner.
Judah - He can no longer coast on name. Beat somebody real, and you're right back in it, Zab. Until then, you're just the guy who loses competitvely at the top, then throws a tantrum.
Holt - Need a third fight with Torres to recapture imagination. He's right on the cusp, though.
Casamayor and Campbell - Appearing too old now. Maybe a rematch with each other would change things. Would be worth it just for the trash-talking.
Urango - Exciting TV fighter, and may be more deserving than Diaz, but needs to prove himself against better opposition, after losses to Ben Rabah (lousy decision), Hatton, and Berto, all show how cleanly he can be outboxed.
Devon Alexander - Win over Junior Witter was impressive, but Witter is finished, and we still need to know more.
Ortiz - Still rebuilding. He can find plenty of dance partners outside of a tourney like this, which could potentially use up a young talent.
Kotelnik - Loss to Khan may prove nothing to be ashamed of, but need to see him against more top level opposition.
Prediction: No idea, that's why it's fun! Odds are that losses in this tournament will finish Hatton and Diaz as fighters. Maidana will entertain, but not win in the end. Can't really see Malignaggi overcoming Hatton in a rematch, even if everything has changed between them by then. Odds are Amir Khan and Timothy Bradley will be meeting in the final, and no, they likely won't get Pacquiao or Mayweather, who both will probably have retired by then. Hope i am wrong about that last part.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
