Former two division world champion Paulie Malignaggi views IBF champion Errol Spence and WBC, WBA champion Keith Thurman as the very best of the welterweight division and wants to seem them collide at some point in 2018. 

Thurman (28-0, 22 KOs) unified the WBA, WBC titles in March with a twelve round split decision victory over Danny Garcia. He then underwent surgery due to an elbow injury - and that kept him out of the ring for the remainder of the year.

Spence (22-0, 19 KOs) also saw action once in 2017, when he traveled over to Sheffield and stopped Kell Brook to capture the IBF title back in May.

Spence is scheduled to return on January 20, when he defends his IBF strap against former world champion Lamont Peterson at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Thurman's return is still to be determined, but there are industry rumors that an April date is being scouted, with former champion Jessie Vargas as a potential opponent under consideration.

In a recent interview, Thurman cautioned that a fight with Spence needs a proper build - placing doubts on the two of them fighting in the near future. Thurman said the contest was more realistic for 2019.

But Malignaggi feels that contest should take place sooner than later.

"Keith Thurman and Errol Spence Jr two are the two best welterweights in the world right now and with respect to Jeff Horn who is a world champion for a reason, they are a level above the rest," Malignaggi said to Sky Sports.

"They've both got world titles so it's obviously a unification, but the fact that they are both so skilled and so strong, means there is a lot to like about this.

"They both got here the hard way, with Thurman taking care of Danny Garcia and Spence Jr obviously going over the UK to take the IBF away from Kell Brook last year and people like them and want to watch them. Especially when the best is fighting the best."