You have Gary Russel Jr, Leo Santa Cruz, Josh Warrington and Oscar Valdez with no prospects of fighting each other in the upcoming year. And because the fight like once a year, there's no excitement in featherweight and there's almost no demand for them to fight each other. PBC is messing up the careers of Gary Russel Jr and Leo Santa Cruz by not having them fight more often. Oscar Valdez is underachieving. Warrington is the only guy in the division making noise, but he's on pace for 1 fight in 2019. And then you have prospect like Stevenson who goes around sucker punching women. Just a total mess of a division.
Reiya Abe is the hidden gem of the division, his fight at the start of May for the Japanese title will be a cracker
This happens in all stacked divisions unless there is a tournament.. Look at WW MW and LHW too guys aren’t fighting each other much
I used to be a fan of Santa Cruz but he's just a ***** who doesn't wanna fight anyone, and Russell Jr has always been a *****, Can't see them two fighting the best, but Valdez, Warrington and Frampton have bigger balls.
The PBC has nothing to do with Gary fighting once a year. He has stated on several occasions that he fights once a year by choice. It's a paycheck for Russell, not a passion. He's not a boxing fan at all, and doesn't follow or watch the sport. It's a bummer, because I personally love watching him fight. His hand speed is electric and he's got some pop. Russell is of the best catch and shoot fighters in the world today due to that crazy speed and quickness. I find him tremendously entertaining. But, it is what it is at this point. GRJ vs LSC would be a really fun fight, but I doubt it ever comes off.
The same can be applied to heavyweight and welterweight. It's a shame but the best guys not fighting each other is hurting the sport.
Josh Warrington is the only one making any moves. Fought Slepby and Frampton back to back, now is facing Galahad. The rumors are that Valdez is next, if Josh gets by Galahad.
Josh Warrington is heading the right direction. Fight all the high profile opponents, even the ones that are not beltholder. He is building his reputation and it'll strengthen his position if someday he is negotiating to unify.
