Kessler,Froch, Johnson if he stays and Bute - All 4 over the 30's Dirrell and Ward - Both natural LWH, Ward said that he will move up In maybe 2-3 years time, none of these (maybe except Dirrell and Bute) will probably remain at the SMW. Pavlik might be finished for good, but he is an natural middleweight. So what is the future of the division? Degale, Quillin, Patrick Nielsen ( Called the new Kessler ) and Groves, are the ones i know. But what is the future? Who'd you expect become world champions?
I will bet that in 3 years Kessler, Froch, Ward will all still be at SMW. If Bute stays depends how he fairs against Ward. If he is spanked... and seeing that he is a huge SMW...he may go to LHW. Dirrell does not want to meet Ward.... so if Ward wins all belts, then Dirrell will run off to LHW. So minus Dirrell (and perhaps Bute) and plus revealed quillin etc SMW will be as strong in 3 years as it is today. Nielsen should try to make LMW if he can and definitely not think about SMW for many years.
Ward said himself after S6 and Kessler/Bute he is going up. Froch would be 37, i have my doubts. Bute said that he'd stay in SMW, as far as i know. But interessting to hear what an non-dane thinks about Patrick Nielsen, also known as the new Kessler, how many ppl knows him? or watched him fight? Just so you know Nielsen is an natural MW, so maybe in the years coming he might move up
Kelly will be back in a year. he is 29 yrs old. probably fight 2-3 more years and make some money. He will end up being a stepping stone for younger fighters IMO.
