A gatekeeper is a fighter that is the means for a rising fighter to become elite. The gatekeeper is like a test for the rising fighter to see if he is great or isn't. Right now some of the gatekeepers I see at weight divisions are: Welterweight: Andre berto -Berto was a rising star but became a gatekeeper after the guerrero loss. He was the test for both Ortiz and Guerrero to fight Mayweather. Light Welterweight: Zab Judah -All the big 140 pounders have fought or will fight Zab Judah (Amir Khan,Garcia,Matthyse) to become stars ========== What are some gatekeepers in various weight classes? Give reasons why.
Gatekeepers to me are lesser than the OP's examples of Zab and Berto. But if I keep with those standards, three examples of quality gatekeepers who won a title within the past year: Katsunari Takayama Gamaliel Diaz Kohei Kono (once again I think gatekeepers cannot be contenders, but keeping with the OP's standards)
Mauricio Herrera is the definition of a gatekeeper at the moment, blocking Ruslan and Dallas Jr. but getting beaten by Alvarado and Mayfield. Same for Raymundo Beltran Hector Velazquez was a lower level gatekeeper for years Generally I don't think of champs/former champions/Top 10 contenders as being gatekeepers, unless they go in the direction of a Chop Chop Corley.
Marco Antonio Rubio is the best active example. Only two losses in four years against Pavlik and Chavez Jr while beating Lemieux and a few other undefeated prospects over that stretch. Still a tough fight for anyone at 160.