The 140 lb Division

With Urango showing he has the tools to compete with the best in the 10 stone division, is 10 stone now one of the hottest divisions? It has long been known as one of the less talent-filled divisions as of late, but now there are some top contenders to fight it out, even if the main man is off participating in super-fights.

Timothy Bradley-Has one over a lot of his detractors with a crowd-pleasing, if not power-punching, style. Beat an avoided fighter in Junior Witter, long thought of as a nightmare for Ricky Hatton, and travelled to do so. Beat a LW in Cherry in his last fight, but in dominant fashion including a sweet knockdown.

Juan Urango-Probably the heaviest hitter in the division, if not the fastest. Lost in a whitewash agaisnt Hatton but proved his mettle in lasting the distance against a man who's previous fight was at WW. Has now proven he can work through people who want to box him against top contender Herman Ngoudjo.

Ricardo Torres-Always exciting, possibly the most ferocious puncher in the division, fast hands and clubbing shots defy his wiry frame. Has shown vulnerabilities but won't go down without a fight. Surely a fight with Urango beckons in what could be an explosive matchup!

Paulie Malignaggi-Not sure what Paulie has left to be honest, he has shown he can box against decent opposition, but a slew of lacklustre performances recently, plus his loss to Hatton leaves him trailing the pack. Must beat a dangerous/top-class contender to get back in the mix.

Lamont Peterson-Fighting Edner Cherry next in a fight that could get him into the mix. Decent skills, not massive power but definitely has a chance to get up there. Maybe one for the future once the rest of these guys has sorted out who the alpha male is.

Victor Ortiz-heavy hitting southpaw has been down a couple of times but has proven himself to be tough, strong, with good ring generalship and super-fast hands to compliment his power and accuracy. Will need a high-profile name on his record to get shots against the likes of Urango and Bradley, but has shown himself to move through decent fighters quickly, and is being well-promoted.

Kendell Holt-Weak chin, good skills and power. Shares the spoils in controversial double with Torres. Holt can throw super shots out of nowhere at times, but then box safely in the next fight. He seems to blow hot and cold but on his day, may be a match for anyone in this division.

Kotelnik-Has a defence against a rudimentary banger in his next fight. Considering he will probably beat Meidena (more wild than Valero, and that is saying something) he has good skills, decent power and has already fought good opposition. Add to that he holds the WBA title, and he is seen as a fairly ordinary boxer, he would surely be a decent fight for Bradley, Urango etc etc to A) try and gain another title B) have one of the recognised top fighters in the division on their resume. However, Kotelnik has the skills to pull off an upset.

There are others as well. I haven't included an analysis of Junior Witter as his tendency to freeze when in a big event might cost him against any of these guys. I think with a win over Devon Alexander could get himself the interim title, but, if Alexander wins, a victory over Witter could get HIM into the upper echelons of the division!!!


So where does this leave Ricky Hatton? Let's say Hatton doesn't have a career-ending beating against Pac, which could happen. Let's say that he has a super-fight with either A) Juan Manual Marquez-Juan Diaz winner or B) PBF/Mosley/Cotto and doesn't receive a career-ending beating in that fight.

Hatton would probably fight the last man standing in his beloved 140 lb division. How would any of these guys fare against a Hatton that has either beaten or survived against any of these fighters? Or do you think after these two mega fights he will be shot and unable to compete against the last man standing in the 140 lb division?

Barring that, how would Marquez/Juan Diaz fare at LWW?

Do you guys see what I mean? Light-Welter is a red hot division right now, or at least has the potential to be over the next year. How do the rest of the guys on ESB see it panning out? :good

 

Oh, and I didn't include Pac on the basis that he will probably only be pursuing 'event' fights after Hatton, as, if he were to win and not suffer a crushing defeat (the only kind he could face if he loses to Hatton, if he were to remain unscathed it would be by outboxing Hatton to the point where he wins easily, anything closer and he will get badly hurt IMO) then he would surely pursue a top WW fighter or a third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Couldn't see him fighting Bradley or Urango, too much risk for too little reward.

Hope that explanation suffices.

 

Indeed Torres can be crude, and his chin is still a question mark, but no doubt he has the package to compete with the likes of Bradley and Urango. Personally I think Bradley needs to face a dangerous puncher who A) is often gun-shy (Witter) B) Isn't a big-hitter in the division below!

 

No way. Urango is a southpaw, a heavier hitter than Torres (if not more explosive, but even that's arguable) and appears less vulnerable.

Torres gave Cotto a helluva fight, beat Holt (despite the controversy) and was on his way to beating Holt again before the headbutt caused him to fall much quicker than he would've without it. He's a top contender and a handful for anyone in the division, but by no means is he remotely similar to Urango, nor is Urango a poor man's Torres.

I believe Urango to be the superior fighter. :good