A look ahead at Light Heavyweight.

I'd favor Diaconu to beat Cloud but i think Cloud does better against Dawson than Diaconu did.

 

If we're talking the future of the 175 pound division I think it looks promising. First, I don't see Hopkins around another 4 years, but he is special so who knows. And a good thing about 175 is that you shouldn't get fighters moving up in weight like other divisions. Heavyweight is too big a jump for most and cruiser just doesn't have the prestige or money to make it worth someones' while. So you should get more talent moving up to 175 than going out.

Long term the division should have their big 3

Dawson- I know he's not all action in the ring and has looked a bit disinterested in his last 2 fights but the guy has a ton of talent and is very proven in the ring.

Cloud- Runs a bit hot and cold but when he's on he can be a beast in the ring. Has been getting a bit more active and thats good. I'd like to see how he does against someone who doesn't just stand in front of him but Cloud is tough and fun to watch.

Pascal- Not a great fighter but he's solid, gives 100%, and has to be better after going 35 rounds with Hopkins and Dawson in the last year. Makes for entertaining fights and big gates in Canada which are positives.

There are a number of guys just behind those 3 top guys who look solid and are on the younger side as well-Shumenov, CLeverly, and Sillahk.

I also think some of the guys at 168 are going to move up as well. Ward, Bute, Froch, Direll, and Pavlik. I don't know if all move up but some will and probably in the next year or two and when they start moving up the division is going to be in really good shape.

You could have a top ten in a couple years that looks something like this(assuming Hopkins isn't still kicking around) and not necesarily in order

Dawson
Ward
Cloud
Bute
Froch
Pascal
Shumenov
Sillahk
Pavlik
Cleverly

There's a lot of talent and good match ups there. Obviously things change and it won't all work out this way but its a reasonable possiblity. If things fall into place, within 2 years time, 175 could be a very hot division.

 

Any reason Hopkins wouldn't move down to 168? He's already expressed interest in facing the Super 6 winner. It doesn't seem like he would have a problem making the weight, and that division is hotter than 175. Or, alternatively, I'm sure a lot of guys at 168 would jump at the chance to move up and fight Bernard at 175.

 

And honestly, what are Diaconu's best wins? He beat Chris Henry, who is a 10 - 15 kind of guy, in a close fight that could have gone either way, and other than that? Rico Hoye?

I went with someone moving up from 168 in the poll, but there are a few other names to at least watch out for - Luis Garcia, YaThomas Riley (assuming he's not in jail or something - it's been about a year since he's fought now), Isaac Chilemba, maybe even Kelly Pavlik....

 

I know you hate him IB but you have to admit Dirrell did keep Froch off him very well who I think is Pascal's superior in every respect still, as a pressure fighter and an outside boxer... Dirrell's defense is flawed but his offense is much better than Jean's by far, better combinations and single shots as well as more quality body work.

Dawson's foil is speed; even though he has comparable quickness to Dirrell at his best. If he's not allowed to sit back and admire his work, or easily outclass a guy(and it isn't easy for him to outclass Dirrell) he lets a fight slide away from him... I wouldnt be surprised if Andre did come out the master in this battle of mental midgetry. Although you're right about FMSr, dude is...well.

 

Although it doesn't seem to be on the horizon anytime soon, I think Lucian Bute can have some interesting fights if he moves up to 175lbs. I know he's not been fighting the best at 168lbs, but still. A fight with Adrian Diaconu would sell tickets in Quebec and be a relevant fight at the weight class - and obviously a fight with Jean Pascal could be big business. Obviously there's a lot of speculation there - there's no guarantee Bute will step up in weight, or that Pascal will rebound from his loss to B-Hop.

I think Carl Froch can be a big fighter at 175lbs as well. I'd like to see him win the Super Six, but I favour Ward to win it - if Froch gets past Johnson that is. Domestically a fight with Nathan Cleverly has potential, but a rematch with Pascal also holds interest.

Andre Ward's another one that I think will move up to 175lbs in the near future. If he wins the Super Six and beats Bute I could see him moving up after one or two defences.

 

Ismayl Sillakh will make some waves, but I foresee Andre Ward jumping up and cementing himself as the king within the next 2 years.

 

Dawson has loads of talent if he can ever learn to commit himself ( try to punch through his opponent). Cloud has admirable technique but also seems to under-achieve. Pascal needs to learn how to box. I have to say dawson has the best shot at being the big dog in the yard mainly cause of his trainer. In spots you could already see dawson trying to implement what manny was asking of him. More-so then with taylor and cintron.

On another note bernard will defeat dawson pretty easily. Dawson has a pawing jab that wont keep bernard at bay. Bernard will get inside and turn it into a nasty infight.

 

Dawson has good defense and can also fight well on the inside, there is nothing Hopkins does that Dawson hasn't seen yet.