Is The Welterweight Division The Most Stacked in Boxing Right Now?

By Dan McConnell

It is not very often in the world of boxing we have a stacked division from top to bottom with so many top class fighters, previous history between some and the potential to create new rivalries. That is exactly what the Welterweight division is right now with champions Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, Terrence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr and also Danny Garcia, Manny Pacquiao, Kell Brook and Amir Khan.

WBA Welterweight Champion-Keith Thurman (28-0)

The hard-hitting and undefeated Thurman claimed a split decision victory against Danny Garcia in March of 2017. However Thurman suffered an elbow injury which required surgery, ruling him out for the rest of 2017. The WBA Champion has shown interest in a title unification bout with Errol Spence Jr but this is likely to be on the back-burner as a tune up fight is expected to be announced in the next few weeks. The former WBC Welterweight Champion had to relinquish one of his WBC title due to injury set backs, he was expected to face Spence or Jessie Vargas in January 2018 then re-booked for May 2018 which later fell through.

WBC Welterweight Champion-Shawn Porter (29-2-1)

Shawn Porter is an intriguing one. The former IBF Welterweight Champion and current WBC Champion has been around the division for a long time. In 2014 he suffered his first loss to Kell Brook and second in 2017 to Thurman. This was a close fight and it was expected a rematch would take place but this never happened. As Thurman gave up his WBC title due to injury it was ordered that Shawn Porter would face Danny Garcia for the vacant title. Porter defeated his opponent via unanimous decision, I wouldn’t be too surprised if Porter and Thurman crossed paths for a second time later on down the line.

WBO Welterweight Champion-Terrence Crawford (33-0)

The undefeated Crawford is one of the scariest and most exciting fighters in the division. With dominant knock-out victories over Julius Indongo and former title holder Jeff Horn, it has been teased that WBO Champion Crawford would face IBF Champion Errol Spence Jr in a title unification bout as both men have unleashed verbal blows. Spence was in attendance for Porter Garcia in Saturday night to hype up the fight with the winner later in the year. It was announced that Crawford would be taking on Jose Benavidez in his next title defence.

IBF Welterweight Champion-Errol Spence Jr (24-0)

The former London 2012 Olympian is the most exciting young prospect in the division. From turning professional Spence impressively has tested himself in hostile territory where he went to England and defeated former IBF Welterweight Champion Kell Brook in his hometown of Sheffield. From then he has defended his title successfully twice and teased a huge title unification fight with Terrence Crawford the WBO Champion. He looks set to face newly crowned WBC title holder Shawn Porter collecting another belt before a huge show-down with Crawford.

Garcia, Pacquiao, Brook and Khan in the same situation?

Danny Garcia (34-2) Manny Paccquio (60-7-2) Kell Brook (37-2) and Amir Khan (33-4) are fighters who are in need of a boost in their careers.

Danny Garcia was recently defeated by Shawn Porter for the WBC title but there is no reason why Garcia can’t make another run at a title, although having two title losses on your record isn’t great. Another fight to get him back in the mix is the way forward, who knows maybe even a rematch with Amir Khan isn’t totally out of the question.

Manny Pacquiao lost his WBO title to Jeff Horn in 2017 which is now owned by Crawford. There are not much big fights left for Pacman who is close to retirement and offering himself as an opportunity to defeat a former undisputed world champion.

Kell Brook took on Middleweight king Gennady Golovkin in 2016 and lost his IBF title to Errol Spence in his following fight. The Sheffield-born fighter hasn’t had an easy two years but has certainly tested himself. A possible British showdown with Amir Khan is still possible but time is ticking.

Amir Khan has made his two-year layoff count with two victories on the bounce. He has been open to any possibility but has suggested facing either Pacquiao or Brook next. Khan needs to work his way back up the Welterweight rankings and a possible bout with Danny Garcia is a rematch I would be calling out for if I was Khan.

Lamont Peterson, Jeff Horn, Jessie Vargas, Adrian Broner and Andre Berto are some other notable names added to the mix in the Welterweight division