This Saturday sees another highly anticipated clash in a year that has so far delivered as one of the most exciting in recent times, when IBF Welterweight world champion Kell Brook defends his title against a much feared up and coming American challenger, Errol Spence Jr.
For years the division has been dubbed the richest and most glamorous of them all, yet with the elite in the division seemingly avoiding each other, the reputation was also growing as the most disappointing, however it appears now the tide is turning.
With other organizations the WBO and WBC being unified when Keith Thurman overcame Danny Garcia earlier in the year, the spotlight was thrust back upon the welterweights, and now it seems there is a queue to get into the limelight.
The winner of Kell Brook and Errol Spence Jr will certainly be a man in demand for the division’s glamour names, and with the aforementioned Thurman being ruled out for a lengthy spell with injury, it seems they will have a strong say in who they throw the gauntlet down to next.
Top Contenders
Rematch
First and foremost, Brook Spence has the potential to be an extremely close counter. Should the bout fulfill its exciting potential, a rematch could be of interest to promoters, despite no rematch clause being in either fighter’s contract.
With neither fighter having lost in this division, the one blemish between them coming on Brook’s record in a fight against middleweight monster Gennady Golovkin, there is no precedence set on how either will deal with a loss, however should Brook come unstuck against Spence, he will remain the #1 contender and have a strong case for a rematch should the situation arise.
Shawn Porter
One interested spectator come Saturday will undoubtedly be Shawn Porter, the man Kell Brook first took his world title from. The man dubbed “Showtime” has completed a stage of rebuild in his career, coming off on the wrong end of razor thin decisions against Brook, and then again in a WBC final eliminator against Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman.
With ‘One Time’ being ruled out having undergone elbow surgery, and therefore unable to defend his titles for the time being, the WBC are in talks to have their #1 ranked competitor challenge for an interim title. With the WBC title being held in many quarter as the most prestigious, it would be understandable for Porter to stay within the vicinity of the green belt organisation. However, should an opportunity arise to challenge for his old belt back, few would begrudge Porter the chance to challenge.
Possessing an electric, come forward style, ‘Showtime’ lives up to his name in exciting fans – his bout against Thurman was dubbed a candidate for fight of the year, before an emphatic stoppage of former WBC king Andre Berto saw his stock rise even higher. Doubled up with his likeable personality and undeniable charisma Porter is a challenger with plenty left to offer the sport and a more than willing and able participant to the winner of Saturday’s contest.
Danny Garcia
It’s been a difficult year for Danny Garcia, one that saw him lose his title unification bout with Keith Thurman in a split decision that his corner immediately questioned. Though it would be unfair on Thurman to suggest he didn’t do enough to win the fight, Garcia certainly impressed and held his own against the naturally bigger fighter, coming back from numerous big shots that saw him almost – but crucially not – go down.
With an impressive resumé, Garcia has victories over several fighters he wasn’t given much of a chance against, probably most notably against Amir Khan – whose name it won’t surprise you to hear comes up later in the article.
Victories against Lucas Mathysse, Lamont Peterson, Roberto Guerrero and others put Danny Garcia on the world boxing radar, and although he certainly isn’t a fighter to back down from a challenge, should Brook emerge victorious on Saturday night, the step might be one too far.
Garcia’s camp are known for taking “safety steps” in the career path of their fighter – taking fights that shouldn’t really possess a threat, as unintentionally demeaning as that sounds to other fighters, it is something that has to be taken into consideration.
When Danny, known as “Swift”, moved into the welterweight division, he was moving up from 140 pounds. At first glance his record looks like he handled the move well, but scratch beneath the surface and it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Puerto Rican.
Beating smaller fighters at the 147 limit, Garcia has done convincingly, fighters like Paulie Malignaggie – a fighter who also moved up chasing the big fights. However more natural 147 fighters troubled Swift, with many fans questioning the judge’s cards against Guerrero and Peterson. Look even further into his record at the naturally bigger fighters of this weight class, and you have Keith Thurman, who despite sometimes looked like he might be outfoxed by Garcia, never looked in danger of being hurt.
Take this into account for Saturday night’s fight and Brook comes away with the win, Garcia will be faced with the prospect of a man who looked comfortable at the Middleweight 160 pound limit, and suggested his desired weight class is 154 Light Middleweight.
This could be one challenge too far for Swift, but make no bones about it, if he is offered the chance to restore his pride, it could be a tough one for his corner to talk him out of.
Manny Pacquiao
The proverbial ‘Golden Goose’ of the welterweight division. There is not too much to be said that hasn’t already about the Pacman, who defends his own WBO title against Australian mandatory Jeff Horn next, in what many are dubbing as a routine run out for the veteran Filipino.
Horn has looked in good form in recent fights and will certainly be a test for Pacquiao, but should he come through it unscathed, and if his hunger and desire is still there, he will be the name fighters from the Welterweights and surrounding divisions call for.
With Manny’s time also now largely being taken up by politics, combined with the perceived flop in entertainment bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr, his stock has unquestionably taken a hit, he is no longer pulling in the numbers or excitement the Manny of old would have done, and a fight against a Kell Brook Errol Spence victor would certainly offer him the chance to rectify that. Giving something Pacman to think about would mean him weighing up the great risk that comes with such reward, whoever’s hand is raised Saturday night would surely be billed as favourite going into any potential future clash with Pac.
Tim Bradley
“Desert Storm” is an intriguing fighter, once dubbed one of the hottest prospects in his division, his career hasn’t quite lived up to what was expected – although has had more than it’s fair share of success.
Located somewhere between the entity of a brawler and skilled puncher, the biggest name on Bradley’s impressive resumé is a questionable decision against Manny Pacquiao, a decision that has since been vindicated…twice.
Despite not having fought in over a year, Bradley’s name would represent progression for both of Saturday’s fighters who have expressed doubt over each other’s records, and with good cause.
Victories over Lamont Peterson, Devon Alexander, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ruslan Provodnikov and others give Bradley an indication that Bradley is trusted by promoters to sell fights, and by his team to go out and win them. Plus as a former world title holder he would be accepted by boxing fans as a much-needed move up through the gears for Saturday night’s victor.
Amir Khan
His name was always going to come up when Kell Brook was mentioned, and it isn’t lazy reporting putting his name in the hat for the winner. Amir Khan, despite a crushing loss to Canelo Alvarez last time out is still highly respected within the division.
Lightning fast hands big names on his record and a huge worldwide audience make his name sellable and his scalp desired by fighters looking to carve their name into boxing folklore.
Earlier this year, Khan was ranked #1 contender by the WBC, only to lose the status due to inactivity, a trait that has tainted his legacy over the last few years.
There is no questioning Amir Khan’s desire to win fights. Despite having a weak chin reputation, his ‘come forward at all costs’ style means he is never involved in a dull fight, and could have given either Pacquiao or Mayweather problems had either of them taken the challenge.
Unfortunately for Khan, it is those two names he will look back and rue, as he has wasted large parts of the prime of his career chasing them to no reward.
Had he avenged defeats against Danny Garcia or Lamont Peterson, taken up Kell Brook’s challenge earlier in his career, or gone down a different legend chasing route, a Cotto or Moseley perhaps, we may well have a completely different story here, but ultimately inactivity and poor career choices may well have cost him a future world title fight.
Notable Absentees
Keith Thurman - with ‘One Time’ going for elbow surgery, it’s likely he’ll be out for the rest of the year - be sure to look out for the fight in the future though.
Lamont Peterson - With inactivity seeming to put Peterson’s career on hold, and with a defeat to Garcia to avenge, Lamont Peterson could almost fall into the same category as Khan - who he coincidentally holds a victory over. Yet with a grudge like Khan and Brooks’s its unlikely there’ll be much clamour for this one.
Canelo Alvarez - Should he lose, Brook will undoubtedly look to move up in weight. Should Canelo lose against GGG later this year, he could look to move back down. Lot of ifs and buts for this fight to happen.
Floyd Mayweather Jr - He’s retired…isn’t he?
Summary
Whatever the outcome of Saturday, both fighters it appears still have a huge future in boxing. For Brook, a loss could well see him move up in weight, almost certainly putting paid to any Amir Khan fight, whereas Spence holds such strong support from an American fan base who believe he is their next world champion, he will still be a name challenging for honours sooner rather than later.
Stacked welterweight division? This is the year it started to deliver.
