How boxing would look today with the 8 original divisions

[dans]

So much is made of fighters like De La Hoya, Mayweather, and Pacquiao. Guys that go up the scales and win multiple titles. But I got thinking about how much harder it would be if we only had the 8 traditional divisions. Here's what the boxing landscape would look like starting at Bantamweight (I skipped Flyweight, sorry). Just the top guys.

Batamweight - Hasegawa, Johnny Perez, Nonito Donaire, Darchinyan, Montiel, Agbeko
Featherweight - Caballero, Juanma, Vasquez, Rafa Marquez, Chris John, Elio Rojas, Luevano, Gamboa, Rocky Juarez
Lightweight - Robert Guerrero, Soto, Juan M. Marquez, Guzman, Reyes, Valero, Katsidis, Demarco
Welterweight - Pacquiao, Hatton, Bradley, Campbell, Juan Diaz, Maidana, Khan, Devon Alexander, Kendall Holt, Victor Ortiz, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Cotto, Margarito, Mosley, Berto, Clottey
Middleweight - P. Williams, S. Martinez, Kirkland, Spinks, Cintron, Angulo, Phillips, Pavlik, Sturm, Mundine, Geale, Winky Wright, N'Dam N'Jikam
Light Heavyweight - Abraham, Froch, Bute, Kessler, Bika, Dirrell, Ward, Taylor, Stieglitz, Allan Green, Andrande, Miranda, Dawson, Jones Jr., Hopkins, Cloud, Pascal, Diaconu, Tarver, Johnson, Henry, Cleverly
Heavyweight - Basically the same except add Cunningham and a couple others.

Looking at this and how many times old school fighters fought, I would say it was a lot harder back then. Because there's less titles and less glory to be spread around, you get better fights more frequently.

I can only dream.

[Gonzalez_Boxing]

So much is made of fighters like De La Hoya, Mayweather, and Pacquiao. Guys that go up the scales and win multiple titles. But I got thinking about how much harder it would be if we only had the 8 traditional divisions. Here's what the boxing landscape would look like starting at Bantamweight (I skipped Flyweight, sorry). Just the top guys.

Batamweight - Hasegawa, Johnny Perez, Nonito Donaire, Darchinyan, Montiel, Agbeko
Featherweight - Caballero, Juanma, Vasquez, Rafa Marquez, Chris John, Elio Rojas, Luevano, Gamboa, Rocky Juarez
Lightweight - Robert Guerrero, Soto, Juan M. Marquez, Guzman, Reyes, Valero, Katsidis, Demarco
Welterweight - Pacquiao, Hatton, Bradley, Campbell, Juan Diaz, Maidana, Khan, Devon Alexander, Kendall Holt, Victor Ortiz, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Cotto, Margarito, Mosley, Berto, Clottey
Middleweight - P. Williams, S. Martinez, Kirkland, Spinks, Cintron, Angulo, Phillips, Pavlik, Sturm, Mundine, Geale, Winky Wright, N'Dam N'Jikam
Light Heavyweight - Abraham, Froch, Bute, Kessler, Bika, Dirrell, Ward, Taylor, Stieglitz, Allan Green, Andrande, Miranda, Dawson, Jones Jr., Hopkins, Cloud, Pascal, Diaconu, Tarver, Johnson, Henry, Cleverly
Heavyweight - Basically the same except add Cunningham and a couple others.

Looking at this and how many times old school fighters fought, I would say it was a lot harder back then. Because there's less titles and less glory to be spread around, you get better fights more frequently.

I can only dream.

What a beautiful sight. Good post.

[Bad Boy Dazza]

Good point. I've often thought this myself.

[dans]

Looking at this you have to realize that some of these guys listed would not even be considered top names if the divisions were condensed.

[dans]

What a beautiful sight. Good post.

Welterweight and Light Heavyweight are amazing in this format.

[Gonzalez_Boxing]

Welterweight and Light Heavyweight are amazing in this format.

A few of those current 140 pounders would be better off losing 5 lbs. and campaign at 135.

[dans]

A few of those current 140 pounders would be better off losing 5 lbs. and campaign at 135.

Yeah, Juan Diaz of course, Bradley maybe. Same goes for a guy like Spinks at middleweight.

[Juan Duarte]

excellent thnread.

but juan diaz would remain a lightweight. right? he only moved up for the malignaggi cathweights. and paul williams prefers to fight at welterweight. he makes it comfortably. he only moved up because he wanted a big fight and mosley said no.

[Gonzalez_Boxing]

excellent thnread.

but juan diaz would remain a lightweight. right? he only moved up for the malignaggi cathweights. and paul williams prefers to fight at welterweight. he makes it comfortably. he only moved up because he wanted a big fight and mosley said no.

I honestly think Williams goes to Middleweight. I'm not exactly sure how comfortable he is making 147 anymore.

[dans]

excellent thnread.

but juan diaz would remain a lightweight. right? he only moved up for the malignaggi cathweights. and paul williams prefers to fight at welterweight. he makes it comfortably. he only moved up because he wanted a big fight and mosley said no.

Yes, Diaz would most likely be a lightweight. I did it strictly by boxrec.

I'm not sure about Williams at Welterweight. I think he's a middleweight.