Yep. Dead handy for GBP considering that both Bradley and Alexander have apparently signed rematch clauses and will pretty much spend half of next year tied-up. I wouldn't grumble with Khan fighting the winner of Ortiz-Mabuza after the Maidana fight anyway.
You think Kotelnik and Maidana are better than Witter, Holt and Peterson? Witter and Holt are definitely a cut above and Peterson would beat Maidana comfortably. I'm not sure about this either. Bradley's got great movement, high-workrate, a decent jab, good timing and works well inside and outside. I'd say he's the most rounded of all the 140 guys. . Agreed that Khan's bigger, but Bradley's more exciting. Broadly agree - but I think people have dismissed Ortiz a little too much on the back of the Maidana loss.
1) The names are only one part of the argument. Khan has shut-out both Kotelnik and Malignaggi in completely one-sided fashion and prior to the fights, both fighters were regarded as genuine top 10 (if not top 5) names in the divison. As I've said many times before, I personally don't get the Maidana hype, but I do accept that other people see him as one of the biggest names in the divison. If Khan beats Maidana in impressive fashion then why shouldn't he be regarded as one of the genuine elites in the division if not the best? Bradley's fight with Witter was nowhere near as comprehensive as Khan's wins over Malignaggi and Kotelnik and he also struggled to a win over Holt who has since won an SD with Hopkins and lost to Mabuza. That isn't the sort of form that one of the genuinely top guys in the division should have, IMO. However, I do agree that Bradley's victory over Peterson was impressive. That said, if I put my Rob Palmer glasses on, I could say he was nothing more than a contender with wins of little note. 2) Respectfully disagree. I think it's fair to say that Roach now makes Khan play to his advantages and physical attributes: Khan is using his significant height and reach for 140 and now wields what is, IMO, the best jab in the division; Khan has tightened up his defence considerably; Khan isn't mixing it up for the sake of it and is now effectively sticking to gameplans set out by Roach; Khan is taking his time when picking his shots and, as a result, he's definately sitting down on his punches even more. I think all of those improvements in just a few fights under a new trainer are a pretty significant accomplishment. Personally, I only think Khan will get better and Roach has said he wants to improve Khan's offensive game even more as well. Bradley currently deserves to be recognised as the best in the division, but I don't think Khan is far behind. That's just my opinion, though. 3) Undoubtedly. That wasn't my point, though. If I had it my way, Katsidis would sell-out stadiums in Germany and the Klits would struggle for mainstream coverage and recognition in Australia. 4) Although one of the best in a stacked division, I don't think Ortiz should be considered better than Kotelnik. Kotelnik is a seasoned veteran with an effective style and a good record, and we all know what to expect from him in any fight. On the other hand, Ortiz is just making his way through and has already shown signs of weakness by just faltering when the going got tough. I honestly believe the Maidana fight was Victor's wake-up call, but I'm sure everyone is keen to see what happens if/ when he's up against it in any future bouts. As always, you've raised very good points, dftaylor. I just have different views on this subject matter of this thread:good.
As far as I remember Bradley was in charge of that fight pretty comforably and put Witter on his backside too. The scoring was widely ridiculed on here after and looked suspiciously like there was some home cooking involved, especially with the judge who made it a SD. If that fight had been given to Witter it would have been a robbery (seriously and not in the way every fight seems to be called one). At the time of the fight Bradley had not fought a top 50 opponent before, he got straight in there with a quality experienced pro. Witter is arguably a better fighter than Malinaggi and Kotelnik, who, not being harsh on Khan, they are decent wins, but it's obvious why they were both hand picked as opposition. Sure, one can say Witter was passed his best, however I'd guess Bradley went into that fight simply looking for a title (wasn't he a late stand in?), rather than a hand picked opponent to suit, so in a way was up against it a bit. I also think he's improved a fair bit since then.
Bradley is the most accomplished for certain. And I also reckon the best, though I think it'll come down to a fight between him and Khan.
Bradley appears to have the most well-rounded skillset, grit and engine of them all IMO. His powers of recovery are something as well. I have to have Khan no.2, his approach against Kotelnik was too forced IMO, safety first against a not particularly dangerous fighter, but I've liked Kotelnik for a while, I felt he appeared way too solid and tidy for the Gavin Rees' of this World, his win over Maidana was competitive but clear IMO, and Maidana gave him a good showing. Khan will no doubt have Kotelnik and Maidana on his list of scalps by the end of the year, and him Vs Bradley is the fight to make. Kotelnik number 3, clearly for me. He beat Alexander, clearly. Then Alexander, bloody good win over Urango, also beat a faded Witter (he was sloppy in that fight, I wasn't blown away) Bradley will deal with him without too many issues IMO. Then Maidana at five. Win over Ortiz was comprehensive in the end. People say 'Ortiz boxed the wrong fight' no he got beaten up, simple as. Did very well against a far better technician (of the European variety) in Kotelnik and the win over Cayo, highly-touted at the time, was impressive too IMO. The hardest hitter in the division right now. Khan CAN beat Bradley, but I think the Bible Basher has enough to land his right hand more frequently as the fight moves on. Khan is fleet of foot but Bradley will not be too bothered by his power IMO,which isn't much IMO, but will take a few rounds to adjust to the speed and pick up Khans flurrying patterns, or at least the rapidness of his jab, and from there will force his way into the fight, rough Khan up and batter him to a late stoppage.
Losfer, I have to disagree that Khan has tightened his defence as we haven't seen him in there with any quality offensive fighters. Maidana will test his composure rather than his defensive abilities IMO. I mean, if Khan can't see those bombs coming he'd better borrow my spectacles :good Khan will definitely be the established no.2 once he tales out Maidana, which I'm certain will be fairly early. He won't miss with his jab, and at range he can still follow his combinations that I think will bamboozle Maidana (who can be caught early) and will force a stoppage. If Maidana can shut his eyes and land a bomb though it will be Prescott all over again IMO. That's the magic of discussing a fight between thentwp, Khan has everything Maidana needs, speed, natural athleticism, foot speed and, with guidance, ring intelligence. But that chin is so unfortunate. He will always be in danger of losing to fighters he just shouldn't lose to when you look at the attributes he posseses. But I think he can take Maidana out without putting himself in too much danger.
Prime Witter would have beat Alexander, he's extremely overrated. Kotelnik beat him clean, hurt him multiple times. Bradley is number 1 in the division, Khan is number 2.
Alexander has a Witter that Bradley had beaten a better version of and an admittedly impressive win over Urango. Apart from that, which is good but better than what the other top guys have? Especially when not only did Kotelnik beat him, Maidana and Khan both did better against Kotelnik than he did. So, if you think he is no.1 regardless of the Kotelnik fight, why?
Did you watch Alexander vs Kotelnik???? EDIT: Flea beat me to it. Anyway, Khan is the best IMO, but Bradley has beaten the better opposition and is therefore the rightful number 1.
The best 5 fighters in the world at 14O in order as as follows: 1. Ajose Olusegun, the former Nigerian Champion, West African Champion, former African Boxing Union Champion, former British champion, current commonwealth champion and the undisputed and undefeated WBC number 1 contender and future WBC Champion. 2. The undefeated and unified champion Timothy Desert Storm Bradley 3. Devon the Great Alexander 4. Former champion Kendall Holt 5. The future WBA champion Marcos Maidana
Timothy Bradley is number 1 @ 140lbs right now. After he's down handing out a beatdown on Alexander. Then they can get a crown and place it on his shiny beanhead. The guy just has more championships qualities then the rest. He's resume speaks for itself. The way he goes about his work and the fact that he improves every fight and doesn't always fight the same way. The guy just has more pages to his book then the rest.
