Breaking down the welterweight division, with so many notable names and different champions, I have come to the conclusion, providing all the match-ups (we hope) happen, we should get an undisputed welterweight champion for the first time in the in the era of four titles. The one man, to hold all the belts.
The last champion to come close, was Floyd Mayweather beating Manny Pacquiao for the WBC, WBO and WBA titles on May 2, 2015. Kell Brook, the other remaining champion, was the IBF holder, beating Shawn Porter on 16 Aug 2014, before losing to Errol Spence Jr on 27 May 2017. Floyd disappointingly fought Andre Berto (a voluntary defence) instead of fully unifying, on Sep 12, 2015. Mayweather actually did win the IBF and IBO titles beating Zab Judah on Sep 12, 2015. You can argue he never lost the IBF title in the ring, however he never held all titles simultaneously.
The last man to come close behind Mayweather was the man he beat, Zab Judah, beating Corey Spinks on Feb 5, 2005 for the WBA, IBF and WBC titles. The WBO title was never unified, it was held by Antonio Margarito from 16 March 2002 to 14 July 2007.
With that history lesson out of the way, I'll break down the schedule of what I hope should happen.
Shawn Porter is fighting Danny Garcia for the vacant WBC title on Aug 25, 2018. The WBC title was stripped from Keith Thurman, due to his inability to defend the title within the WBC rules.
Spence has publicly said, there are already talks for him to fight the Porter-Garcia winner. With Haymon an advisor to Spence, Porter, Garcia and Thurman, expect Spence to fight the winner n 6 months time. If for some reason there is a delay, they should hopefully fight this time next year.
That leaves Keith Thurman, still the WBA champion, his return is set for 2018-08-04. Expect a soft fight for Keith's return and expect him to face the winner of the Porter/Garcia-Spence winner not long after their bout. I fully expect Spence to beat the Porter/Garcia winner and frankly he is the only fighter pursuing all the belts. Expect him to come hard at Thurman, a man he has already been chasing for a long time.
I imagine Haymon will gladly serve Thurman on a platter for Spence, for a three belt unification in late 2019 or early 2020.
That leaves WBO champion Crawford to play his role and take out any challengers Top Rank will offer him. The most high profile fight he can potentially take is the Pacquiao-Matthysee winner. Oddly enough, they are fighting for the WBA Regular title on Jul 15, 2018.
I fully expect near the end of 2020, with all other champions, top contenders and mandatory challengers out of the way, Spence and Crawford will be the last two standing for a 4 belt (5 if you count the regular title) unification bout to decide the undisputed welterweight championship.
I may as well call how I think the fight plays out going this far along, Spence UD12 Crawford in Las Vegas on PPV.
Will bump this in 2 years time
Thanks for reading!
The last champion to come close, was Floyd Mayweather beating Manny Pacquiao for the WBC, WBO and WBA titles on May 2, 2015. Kell Brook, the other remaining champion, was the IBF holder, beating Shawn Porter on 16 Aug 2014, before losing to Errol Spence Jr on 27 May 2017. Floyd disappointingly fought Andre Berto (a voluntary defence) instead of fully unifying, on Sep 12, 2015. Mayweather actually did win the IBF and IBO titles beating Zab Judah on Sep 12, 2015. You can argue he never lost the IBF title in the ring, however he never held all titles simultaneously.
The last man to come close behind Mayweather was the man he beat, Zab Judah, beating Corey Spinks on Feb 5, 2005 for the WBA, IBF and WBC titles. The WBO title was never unified, it was held by Antonio Margarito from 16 March 2002 to 14 July 2007.
With that history lesson out of the way, I'll break down the schedule of what I hope should happen.
Shawn Porter is fighting Danny Garcia for the vacant WBC title on Aug 25, 2018. The WBC title was stripped from Keith Thurman, due to his inability to defend the title within the WBC rules.
Spence has publicly said, there are already talks for him to fight the Porter-Garcia winner. With Haymon an advisor to Spence, Porter, Garcia and Thurman, expect Spence to fight the winner n 6 months time. If for some reason there is a delay, they should hopefully fight this time next year.
That leaves Keith Thurman, still the WBA champion, his return is set for 2018-08-04. Expect a soft fight for Keith's return and expect him to face the winner of the Porter/Garcia-Spence winner not long after their bout. I fully expect Spence to beat the Porter/Garcia winner and frankly he is the only fighter pursuing all the belts. Expect him to come hard at Thurman, a man he has already been chasing for a long time.
I imagine Haymon will gladly serve Thurman on a platter for Spence, for a three belt unification in late 2019 or early 2020.
That leaves WBO champion Crawford to play his role and take out any challengers Top Rank will offer him. The most high profile fight he can potentially take is the Pacquiao-Matthysee winner. Oddly enough, they are fighting for the WBA Regular title on Jul 15, 2018.
I fully expect near the end of 2020, with all other champions, top contenders and mandatory challengers out of the way, Spence and Crawford will be the last two standing for a 4 belt (5 if you count the regular title) unification bout to decide the undisputed welterweight championship.
I may as well call how I think the fight plays out going this far along, Spence UD12 Crawford in Las Vegas on PPV.
Will bump this in 2 years time

Thanks for reading!
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