Champions If the divisions were unified in 2016. Part 2

**soul_survivor** · 02-14-2015, 06:15 AM

Doing those lower divisions is very difficult, I can't even say who will be at what weight by the summer, let alone next year. I have a sneaky feeling the likes of Walters and Crawford will be moving up sooner, rather than later.

**Cut Man** · 02-14-2015, 06:24 AM

Originally posted by soul_survivor

Doing those lower divisions is very difficult, I can't even say who will be at what weight by the summer, let alone next year. I have a sneaky feeling the likes of Walters and Crawford will be moving up sooner, rather than later.

Yeah also living in the west, we naturally hear less about the lower weights which is made up of allot of Central American and Asian fighter who don't get much press in western sports media.

Crawford I agree will be moving up and will probably be very successful at Light Welterweight

**El-blanco** · 02-14-2015, 06:30 AM

Inoue is going to dominate up to 118

**Cut Man** · 02-14-2015, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by El-blanco

Inoue is going to dominate up to 118

Have to disagree with you my friend. I think Roman Gonzalez would beat him.

**boxingfan2015** · 02-14-2015, 07:06 AM

agree with lightweight no that Crawford is leaving the division, Mitchell was superb in his last fight

**Cut Man** · 02-14-2015, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by boxingfan2015

agree with lightweight no that Crawford is leaving the division, Mitchell was superb in his last fight

Yeah Mitchell looks like he is having a a 2nd run in his career. A few years older now, under a different trainer. He's looking very good in the ring

**Aztekkas** · 02-14-2015, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by Cut Man

Super flyweight - Roman Gonzalez:
One the best P4P fighters in the world. Pretty much unstoppable. 41 fights, 41 wins 35 KOs. I believe he will hold the belt in both flyweight divisions by 2016.

Flyweight - Roman Gonzalez:
Again I can't see anyone beating "Chocolatito" anytime soon. Unless he vacates, nobody it taking his title.

Light Flyweight - Donnie Nietes:
Can't make an argument for anyone else at Light Flyweight. I don't see anyone besting the Philippine champion.

Strawweight - Katsunari Takayama:
Back to Japan for the IBF, WBO Strawweight champion. Other guys in t division have undefeated records but against less opponents. Takayama went the distance with the great Roman Gonzalez so respect to him.

Like I said in the other thread, the lighter weights are extremely difficult to not only keep track of but to follow since there are thousands of new faces sweeping in and or leaving the divisions like no other.

Already..

115 - Naoya Inoue or Carlos Cuadras - Reason? It takes Roman a few fights before filling out his new weight division, especially since he's already a small framed fighter and you have bigger men at 115 running around with straps. He's at a disadvantage against the top 2 fighters of the division in both reach and height and to top it off their styles would be a nightmare for Roman. I honestly believe 115 is his cap off division, anything beyond that would spell demise in my book for the little fellow.

Now, why do I believe Cuadras and Inoue can take him? Well, they both can box, set up traps and have enough power to keep the Chocolate man at bay with ease. Cuadras proved his chin against Rungvisai and Salgado by taking their strongest punches and continuing to launch his own offense as well through counters and combinations. The Srisaket fight displayed his ability to shift gears and go walk the thin line between offensive minded power puncher to a boxer with footwork and countering ability. Essentially I think Carlos possesses the tools and intelligence to out think the cerebral little giant in Roman.

Inoue on the other hand is a phenomenal fighter with the potential to reach great heights. His power and craftiness has been on full display since his debut. Offensively the man is incredible, defensively he can be touched but has yet to show any discomfort from any of his previous opponents. This will be more of a toe to toe barn burner with boxing techniques so subtle it will take some time to actually break down and understand the slight shifts and movements in their fight once it is all said and done. Roman and his team have stated their worries over Chocolatito's defense and seemingly slower movement the further he goes up in weight, with the shift to 115 I don't see it improving. That's the primary reason why I can't see Roman beating Inoue. He would be there to get hit and he'll be too sluggish to properly break down the stronger Inoue. If the fight was at 112 I wouldn't be so quick to get behind Naoya but 115 isn't for Roman, IMO.

Flyweight - Juan Francisco Estrada - YES BLANCO! I said it

. With that out of the way... once Roman moves up(which he stated he will be doing by mid year or so) Estrada's path would be clear to finish collecting the other 2 belts in the division. Would it be easy? Not at all. There's tons of talent at the weight and he has numerous Filipino challengers gunning for his head since he has beaten 4 of their countrymen in his last 5 fights...

It should be interesting to see who steps up next and gets knocked back down.

Light Flyweight - this one is extremely difficult but I actually believe you are overlooking Francisco Rodriguez Jr. He is supposed to fight Nietes soon and from what he displayed in his Takayama, Sabillo and Fajardo II fight, I honestly think he has an extremely good shot at dethroning Ahas. Nietes' activity dwindles the further the fight goes and he's already an economical fighter as is, Rodriguez on the other hand seems to turn it up with each passing round and has displayed depth to his boxing game. He can be a powerpunching nightmare against lesser men, all out punching machine against movers and has recently displayed a great in and out technique that could confuse Nietes in their showdown. Seriously, the kid is underrated in the boxing ability department.

Mendoza vs Melindo will be an extremely awesome fight were I see the Methodical one outpointing a game Mendoza but I can't see Milan challenging Nietes if he manages to acquire Cobra's strap. Pedro Guevara is another stupendous fighter and champion that could be the wrench in the division later on down the line. Out of every division I honestly think this is the hardest one to predict but if anything I am rolling with Chihuas Rodriguez Jr to unify another division within the year.

Minimum Weight - First and foremost Takayama was gifted those unified titles. With that out of the way I can't see him holding them until 2016 unless he rejects a Kosei Tanaka/Hekkie Budler or Wanheng Mayothin showdown. All three of those men give Takayama hell and I could easily see Tanaka or Wanheng ripping away his belts and becoming unified champions themselves.

However, I think Tanaka gets the shot at Takayama before any of the other mentioned names... thus I'm going with Kosei Tanaka being the man to beat by 2016 in the division. A fight between Tanaka and Wanheng is what dreams are made of

Both are extremely talented and skilled and that's one of the few fights I really wouldn't be able to call.

PS: Budler is overrated as hell

Champions If the divisions were unified in 2016. Part 2