Do you see any prospect for the middleweight division to get better? this is one of, if not the greatest division in history. And it seems to be going through a tough patch. Any prospect anytime soon for things to get better? what match ups are essential here?
Troy Isley is the only one but he's too inactive he's going nowhere Middleweight divison is a badlands besides Janibek and Adames. Lara in his 40s is a top dog and there are mediocre guys moving up from 154 who are already ranked. It hasn't been this weak in a while. Lima gave Aaron McKenna a tough fight and Boots obliterated that guy in 30 seconds
The P4P number 1 fighter hopping from 154 to 168 then retiring because there were no fights to be made at 160 is about as low as it gets. WWs also having a "tough patch" though not as bad. Perhaps the prestige difference between the classic divisions and tweeners is dwindling. An undefeated Benavidez is leaving LHW to go fight at Cruiserweight. 20 years ago this was unthinkable. This is the first generation of fighters which will have grown up with tweeners being treated more or less the same as classic non HW divisions.
I completely forgot about Hernandez. Yeah he's gonna take over 160. He's like a bigger version of Jaron Ennis
well depends upon who lands there and finds it to his momentary advantage. could bud fight well at 160 within 6 weeks? well then him obviously and with little doubt. but why would he? he retired, right? ok next is ortiz and boots. but if one of them sets up shop there, the other has to go there too or abandon so which wants to defend that ground? i'd favor vergil to commit. ok so alternatively in the mix? bohachuk? madrimov? anybody 154-168 that can make and live at that weight. Imo Middleweight is a revered mountain (think Mt Fuji) waiting for the righteous King to plant his flag.
After decades a being a dominant division, it's crazy how depleted it is now. Compare Ring's Annual Rating 2024 to 1992. Is this even the same sport? Zhanibek Alimkhanuly Hamzah Sheeraz Carlos Adames Erislandy Lara Chris Eubank Jr Etinosa Oliha Kyrone Davis Troy Isley Shane Mosley Jr Denzel Bentley Julian Jackson James Toney Reggie Johnson Roy Jones Jr. Mike McCallum Sumbu Kalambay Gerald McClellan Lamar Parks Bernard Hopkins Thomas Tate
Agreed though the early 90's were an unusually strong era. Still, i agree. 92 sweeps the current guys.
