Ok so it dawned on me, there is a realistic (optimistic) chance of the below largely competitive welterweight match ups taking place in the next 18months. Assumptions: Floyd drops the wba, wbc belts, Pacquiao retires, pbc/top rank agree to work together. Quarter final (all fights scheduled/rumoured next 6months) Brook v Chaves (IBF) Bradley v Rios (WBO) Thurman v Porter (WBA) Garcia v Khan (WBC) Semi final PBC- titles (WBC + WBA) Winner Garcia v Khan vs Thurman v Porter Top Rank/Matchroom (IBF + WBO) Winner Brook v Chaves vs Bradley v Rios Final- titles (all) Winner pbc semi final - Winner non pbc semi Obviously a lot of political/promotional issues but definitely think the first and second rounds could be made. With most of these (except rio's) rated in the ring magazines top 10 and the unpredictability of certain fighters Khan/Bradley some great matches could take place. Questions are Who ultimately wins Best fight Most likely upset
this would be awesome, I couldn't pick a clear winner but would hope Bradley would win the tournament, have a feeling a Thurman vs Porter would be most exciting as could go either way? upset most likely would be khan over Garcia.
Easy work for Kell that. If Brook and Bradley both win their fights a good chance they meet too, unless the Pacquiao or Khan options present themselves for either.
I'm just hoping Thurman takes the Porter fight. That and Bradley vs Rios will clear the clouds in the division. Brook vs Chaves was always a mismatch and I doubt Khan will ever fight DSG. One of them should fight Spence Jr to decide the next chain of events.
If you think that, would you say Brook is leagues above Thurman, Bradley & Rios since Chaves gave all 3 of them hell? :think
I think Brook, Thurman and Porter are the big 3 in the division. It's perhaps only Spence Jr who can present a challenge. I don't think DSG, Bradley or anyone else can really compete with them. Brook vs Thurman/Porter winner will decide who's the #1, if those fights ever happen.
I think Porter could well do Thurman, and Porter's already been taken to the cleaners by Kell. :happy I've never been convinced by Thurman's "I'll fight anyone" talk. He choose to fight Collazo rather than Spence Jr, and it seems to me he's the one holding up the Porter talks. Plus, "I'll fight anyone, you know who to call, his name is Al Haymon" is somewhat of an oxymoron.
Completely agree with you re the porter v thurman hold up, I've got a lot of time for Porter and think he is a tough fight for anyone at 147. I see that fight as a complete 50:50 and would show how good Thurman is, I'd imagine he counter-punches and moves against Porter and ultimately if he can't get porters respect with one punch power counters I'd probably pick porter to outwork him over 12. Hope the fight gets made. At this point I'd probably say winner of Bradley Brook, provided Bradley boxes sensibly against rio's, would be favourite for the overall win. But think there is a real opportunity to get most of these fights made soon, a tournament type format in the most lucrative division would be awesome for the sport
Indeed. I think the none PBC side of things would be happy to mix it up in a mini 4 person tournament. I think Brook would win, however I think Haymon would still be reluctant to allow Thurman or Garcia near him, and a Porter rematch is pointless. Khan may happen due to the payday it represents though in the UK. I also think he could face Pacquiao should he beat Bradley (but Arum may well likely be waiting for Pacquiao to slow down enough for Crawford).
I think Garcia KOs Khan II, Porter UD Thurman Brook UD Chavez, Bradley UD Rios Garcia UD Porter, Brook UD Bradley Garcia SD Brook. Biggest upset Garcia over Porter/Brook Best fight Thurman-Porter/Garcia-Porter
