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The rise and fall of the welterweight division
A year or two ago, this division was ON FIRE. We had a star-studded 147 pound class with such names as Floyd Mayweather, Jr, Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Shane Mosley, possibly Oscar Delahoya, Andre Berto, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Ricky Hatton, Kermit Cintron, Luis Collazo, etc.
It was a huge tease, and we were all extremely excited. But in the intervening time, what did we get? Cotto-Margarito. A great fight, but the blemish just won’t wash off. Shane dismantled Margarito, but the plaster controversy is far-reaching: Tony will be out for another year. Oscar challenged Pacquiao at 147, and oddly enough, Delahoya opted to impersonate a piece of beef jerky that night. Mayweather spent more time in strip clubs and commercial sets than in a ring. And he has now returned to face off against…a lightweight? The most intriguing talent of all, Paul williams, was last seen 13 pounds north. Nobody seems to be answering Tall Paul's call at 147.
In truth, Miguel Cotto has been the stalwart of the division. During the past eighteen months or so, Miguel has stepped into the ring to face Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito, and Joshua Clottey (upcoming). His two previous fights were bruising, and you have to wonder how much Miguel will have left if he continues to engage in these wars.
Plaster, "retirements", financial squabbles, and blatant cash-grabs. Ugh.
Are you disappointed with how little we actually got from this division given the promises that the lofty talent offered?
A year or two ago, this division was ON FIRE. We had a star-studded 147 pound class with such names as Floyd Mayweather, Jr, Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Shane Mosley, possibly Oscar Delahoya, Andre Berto, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Ricky Hatton, Kermit Cintron, Luis Collazo, etc.
It was a huge tease, and we were all extremely excited. But in the intervening time, what did we get? Cotto-Margarito. A great fight, but the blemish just won’t wash off. Shane dismantled Margarito, but the plaster controversy is far-reaching: Tony will be out for another year. Oscar challenged Pacquiao at 147, and oddly enough, Delahoya opted to impersonate a piece of beef jerky that night. Mayweather spent more time in strip clubs and commercial sets than in a ring. And he has now returned to face off against…a lightweight? The most intriguing talent of all, Paul williams, was last seen 13 pounds north. Nobody seems to be answering Tall Paul's call at 147.
In truth, Miguel Cotto has been the stalwart of the division. During the past eighteen months or so, Miguel has stepped into the ring to face Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito, and Joshua Clottey (upcoming). His two previous fights were bruising, and you have to wonder how much Miguel will have left if he continues to engage in these wars.
Plaster, "retirements", financial squabbles, and blatant cash-grabs. Ugh.
Are you disappointed with how little we actually got from this division given the promises that the lofty talent offered?
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