Could Antwone Smith make a case for a top 5 WW right now?

[SuperTrooper]

Why would the JWW rank ahead of him as soon as they move up?

Shouldn't they have better victories than Smith to be ranked higher than him, not better wins at JWW, but at WW... You know since that is where they would be fighting

The way rankings work nowadays, media hype plays a big roll. Perfect example is when Pac moved up to WW to fight Cotto, he was ranked quite high over welterweights that's been in the division.

[Danny Gunz]

Anyone else want to weigh in, I think Smith has a future as he seems to keep improving and should be rated over some of the contenders now even.

Smith has a great future him and Jones are both scheduled to fight on the 9th in AC (not against each other) I figure that may set up a bout between them.

Imo the winner of that will probably be the man to beat in the WW division in later years.

[sicko]

Antwone Smith is extremely talented but it is NO RUSH to try and get him ranked up there with the rest of the Top Welterweights, he is only 23, he still has things he needs to work on obviously, I don't think he is ready for someone like Andre Berto

I think Mike Jones will probably reach Top 5 before Smith does but Smith will be right behind him as part of that next Generation of Welterweights to go with Berto, Kell Brook from the UK and other top guys down at 140 who will likely move up in the next year or two

can't wait to see Jones and Smith in action next week, glad Showtime is showcasing these young talented fighters, boxing is more then just Mayweather and Pacman

[jrosales13]

The way rankings work nowadays, media hype plays a big roll. Perfect example is when Pac moved up to WW to fight Cotto, he was ranked quite high over welterweights that's been in the division.

But, he beat Cotto who by the Ring was ranked #3 and BoxingScene ranked Cotto #2 at the time...

Pac beat an elite fighter.

So he had to have one win... Is not like Pac just jumped at WW and automatically got ranked without any wins at WW.

Of course JWWs could be ranked higher than Smith if they jump to WW and beat a top WW. But, they would have to do it first. They would not just automatically be ranked higher just cuz they say they're moving to WW.

[jrosales13]

Nope they shouldnt, if some of those guys moved up now they would be ranked higher than Smith.

They would have to have a win first before being ranked ahead of Smith... Nobody is going to ranked them higher just cuz...

[Check]

He is no Omar Henry lol.

[SuperTrooper]

But, he beat Cotto who by the Ring was ranked #3 and BoxingScene ranked Cotto #2 at the time...

Pac beat an elite fighter.

So he had to have one win... Is not like Pac just jumped at WW and automatically got ranked without any wins at WW.

Of course JWWs could be ranked higher than Smith if they jump to WW and beat a top WW. But, they would have to do it first. They would not just automatically be ranked higher just cuz they say they're moving to WW.

I saw several articles ranking him in the welterweight division before even fighting Cotto. I'll try to find the links for those articles. Also, maybe since he fought De La Hoya at a catchweight in the welterweight division, he automatically got ranked.

[Bhopreign]

They would have to have a win first before being ranked ahead of Smith... Nobody is going to ranked them higher just cuz...

Rankings are based on who they think would beat who if they havent fought yet. Has nothing to do with not ever having fought at WW, if that was the case every fighter moving up to WW would be at the lowest ranking possible, but we know that aint the case.

[Bhopreign]

But, he beat Cotto who by the Ring was ranked #3 and BoxingScene ranked Cotto #2 at the time...

Pac beat an elite fighter.

So he had to have one win... Is not like Pac just jumped at WW and automatically got ranked without any wins at WW.

Of course JWWs could be ranked higher than Smith if they jump to WW and beat a top WW. But, they would have to do it first. They would not just automatically be ranked higher just cuz they say they're moving to WW.

Not correct, look at Hatton's ranking before he fought Floyd.

[Danny Gunz]

I always thought for RING rankings they dont put anyone on the list until they have fought in that weight class.