Comments Thread For: The welterweight division is broken

[Corelone]

Spence left WW because Boots was fighting in this division. Crawford left as well to face other champions and make history. Both Spence and Crawford did not want to face Boots. He provides too tough of a fight for them at this stage in their careers. The WW division would be revived if all of the email champions fought each other. People are afraid to lose their "0s". The same would happen to 154 if Boots went to that division. No one will fight him in that division as well. The promoters and greedy fighters have changed the way boxing is perceived these days.

Canelo can change this by accepting the Benavidez and Morrell fights and taking his beatings like a man. If the top dog in boxing were to get some balls then it would trickle down to the smaller and lesser known fighters and boxing would be more popular again.

Nobody wants to fight Boots, so we get the cheapest available soft touch? There has to be some risk in order to make a gain. Pay Norman his $400,000 and make Boots a million dollar attraction. Eddy hasn't enough faith in Boots to risk a few pounds. Like grannies porcelain, on the shelf and too costly to use.

[LAchargers373]

It's insane, the insatiable appetite of boxing fans. Let's reflect a bit, shall we?

The last big Welterweight fight was Spence Vs Crawford (2023). Before that, Manny vs Floyd (2015). Before that, De La Hoya vs Floyd (2007). Before that, De La Hoya vs Whittaker (1997). Before that, Leonard vs Duran (1980).

That means, there have been 5 Mega Fights at Welterweight over the last 45 years.. that's one every nine years.

We just saw this eras Welterweights fight each other, and it conclude with Spence and Crawford. Can we please have some patience with the development of this new era?

Trinidad vs de le Hoya?

[BrankoB]

Spence left WW because Boots was fighting in this division. Crawford left as well to face other champions and make history. Both Spence and Crawford did not want to face Boots. He provides too tough of a fight for them at this stage in their careers. The WW division would be revived if all of the email champions fought each other. People are afraid to lose their "0s". The same would happen to 154 if Boots went to that division. No one will fight him in that division as well. The promoters and greedy fighters have changed the way boxing is perceived these days.

Canelo can change this by accepting the Benavidez and Morrell fights and taking his beatings like a man. If the top dog in boxing were to get some balls then it would trickle down to the smaller and lesser known fighters and boxing would be more popular again.

You are obviously a Boots fan so I will offer you another point of view. I like Boots and think he is an incredible fighter that may one day prove his true worth. However, I do not believe Spence and Crawford left WW because they did not want to face Boots. Spence was on the record before the Crawford fight, that no matter the outcome he can no longer make 147 and was going to 154. Crawford pretty much said the same thing. I know you like Boots, but you have to realise he offers nothing of any value to Spence or Crawford. He does not have a the name recognition or the belts they want (he only got his belt via email) and is not a dance partner that can generate high ppv - in other words he does not offer a belt or money. If you were Crawford or Spence you would not even look at Boots - no point at this stage of their careers. When you are close to retirement, you can only think of money and legacy. Boots offers neither.

[Corelone]

America is ripe for another star at 147, it says so right here in this article and Eddy has the winning ticket. Its like winning the Lotto and not collecting about bus faire. I can't believe this guy.

[Poopdick]

boots need move up immediately

[kiaba360]

It's an article that needed to be written, because what's happening in the WW division is microcosmic of the entire sport.

Middleweight (three), 154 pounds (three), welterweight (four), 140 pounds (four), lightweight (four), super-featherweight (four), featherweight (four). There are four bantamweight champions and three champions each at super-flyweight and flyweight.

I normally complain about TR seemingly have no desire to consolidate 126lb, but I didn't realize things have gotten THIS bad. WTF is this bullshxt?

[maguirre]

It's insane, the insatiable appetite of boxing fans. Let's reflect a bit, shall we?
The last big Welterweight fight was Spence Vs Crawford (2023). Before that, Manny vs Floyd (2015). Before that, De La Hoya vs Floyd (2007). Before that, De La Hoya vs Whittaker (1997). Before that, Leonard vs Duran (1980). That means, there have been 5 Mega Fights at Welterweight over the last 45 years.. that's one every nine years. We just saw this eras Welterweights fight each other, and it conclude with Spence and Crawford. Can we please have some patience with the development of this new era?

You're making sense and your post may be summed up with a question like, "Why the rush?" Considering the belts have all just been spread around recently by e-mail or otherwise. And they're expected to hold on to them for as long as they can.

The question as to who is rushing is none other than Ennis with 33 fights on his record. Fans and media alike are giving special attention to him. We don't know why when he and his team slow-tracked him fighting cans and now want to head straight to high-reward fights, avoiding fights which might derail him. And everyone is being pressured to fight him. Guys with 16 fights like Stanionis, Barrios who only had 4 fights at welter, then Norman just had his title recently... Bottom line is let Ennis and his team do whatever they want and let others do their own thing. Ennis fought cans most of his career and others shouldn't be prevented from doing the same.

[mjh1969]

You are obviously a Boots fan so I will offer you another point of view. I like Boots and think he is an incredible fighter that may one day prove his true worth. However, I do not believe Spence and Crawford left WW because they did not want to face Boots. Spence was on the record before the Crawford fight, that no matter the outcome he can no longer make 147 and was going to 154. Crawford pretty much said the same thing. I know you like Boots, but you have to realise he offers nothing of any value to Spence or Crawford. He does not have a the name recognition or the belts they want (he only got his belt via email) and is not a dance partner that can generate high ppv - in other words he does not offer a belt or money. If you were Crawford or Spence you would not even look at Boots - no point at this stage of their careers. When you are close to retirement, you can only think of money and legacy. Boots offers neither.

I have no opinion either way about Boots but felt that he should have been given a chance to fight the top guys at WW. At the time those two guys were Spence and Crawford. All of a sudden after they fight each other, they both jump ship. Crawford didn't want to work that hard against a younger version of himself at this stage in his career without significant money or financial backing for the fight. Young and upcoming contenders which is what Boots is should have a chance to fight champions. This is how boxing has historically worked. A young fighter starts fighting in amateurs learns the skills while fighting, eventually turns pro, fights tomato cans in the beginning, turns up the quality of opposition, fights to the #1 ranking then hopefully down the line fights the champion. Thats how Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield, Leonard, Hearns, Ali, etc, etc, came up. Does all of that change once Boots works his way up the ladder? Value and financial incentive means, reasons not to fight #1 contenders or excuses in 2024. Canelo is doing it, Spence and Crawford are doing it, most top guys these days are doing it because it's the norm these days. To me Boots has to prove himself these days and I won't crown him until I see him fight a top dog. How will he get a chance if no top dog will fight him?

[anonymous2.0]

Nobody wants to fight Boots, so we get the cheapest available soft touch? There has to be some risk in order to make a gain. Pay Norman his $400,000 and make Boots a million dollar attraction. Eddy hasn't enough faith in Boots to risk a few pounds. Like grannies porcelain, on the shelf and too costly to use.

Eddy can't, he lost that 400k when he got sweeped by Queensbury in their 5 vs 5

[GREATEST.O.A.T]

It's insane, the insatiable appetite of boxing fans. Let's reflect a bit, shall we?

The last big Welterweight fight was Spence Vs Crawford (2023). Before that, Manny vs Floyd (2015). Before that, De La Hoya vs Floyd (2007). Before that, De La Hoya vs Whittaker (1997). Before that, Leonard vs Duran (1980).

That means, there have been 5 Mega Fights at Welterweight over the last 45 years.. that's one every nine years.

We just saw this eras Welterweights fight each other, and it conclude with Spence and Crawford. Can we please have some patience with the development of this new era?

Mayweather vs DLH was at light middle/super welter 154 lbs