What are your thoughts on the middleweight division right now?

I think Golovkin has the most all-round ability, but i heard a whisper from someone on here that he was hurt by a feather fist in a fight I havn't seen so that could be a problem. If thats true it will obviously handicap him in any of these matchups.

These fighters are all so explosive much of it will come down to durability.

 

I think Lemieaux has tremendous potential in the division though because although I see a lot of flaws I don't see anyone on the horizon that can lay traps, show him feints, show him some movement except for maybe Martinez and I don't think they'll go looking for him anytime soon with time on his side. There are no true technicians of the sport coming through, no McCallum's, Watson's, or Toney's, everyone will be there for him so as he matures and grows he's going to be devastating.

I think he'd make quick work of N'jikam in about 5 rounds once the Frenchman's feet begin to slow. If the whispers about Golovkin's chin are true he could win there too, though he'd have to prove his own chin which he's yet to do if he's to beat GG. Pirog might be a different matter though because the word is he's extremely tough and he can obviously box and punch. I can't really see the likes of Barker or Lee living with his ferocity, infact i don't think they're in the class of any of these fighters, nor Sturm or Sylvester of the more proven fighters. I think Sylvester and Sturm would be embarrassed if they took on a live challenge.

So in the medium term I definitely see Lemieux as someone that will win a title and unify.

 

Terrific first fight... catchweight rematch? I hope that's not a sign of things to come.

 

First, who do you think are the current top five fighters? Martinez, Williams, Pirog, Golovkin, Sturm (but not for much longer)
Is the division strong, historically speaking? Not bad at all IMO, yet hardly a 'Murderers Row' (but what is?) depending on how some of the still learning fighters perform it could get very, very intriguing indeed.
What does the Martinez-Williams bout mean for the division in the future? All depends on whether the best carry on fighting the best IMO.

 

Good post which I agree with most of. Lemiuex seems the real deal, he's no joker like Valero.

Pirog looks to have the best skillset IMO. Has an awkward style which would cause some of the more established fighters in the weight serious problems, I think he'll go on to prove his dominance.

 

:good

He's getting me excited!

 

If you go through this there are at least 10 young fighters you would expect to win a title. I think one of the problems with the division is its top guys shouldnt be there. Williams and Martinez are light middles, Pavlik needs to go to Super Middle.

World Champion: Sergio Martinez (WBC) - Beat Kelly Pavlik April 2010
1. Paul Williams
2. Felix Sturm (WBA)
3. Kelly Pavlik
4. Sebastian Sylvester (IBF)
5. Dimitry Pirog (WBO)
6. Daniel Geale
7. Gennady Golovkin
8. Roman Karmazin
9. Matthew Macklin
10. Sebastian Zbik
11. Hassan N’Dam N'Jikam
12. Marco Antonio Rubio
13. Lajuan Simon
14. Giovanni Lorenzo
15. David Lemiuex
16. Fernando Guerrero
17. Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr
18. Mahir Oral
19. Darren Barker
20. Maksym Bursak
21. Andy Lee
22. Koji Sato
23. Gennady Martirosyan
24. Peter Manfredo Jnr
25. Danny Jacobs

If those 3 left you could do a Unification tournement over 4 rounds with 16 men. The first rounds fights cover the 4 title holders mandatorys and the other 4 can be eliminators. Champions always get home advantage.

Sylvester (IBF) vs Geale/ Karmazin vs Simon

Strum (WBA) vs Golovkin/ N’Jikam vs Andy Lee

Pirog (WBO) vs Martirosyan/ Guerrero vs Bursak

Zbik (WBC) vs Lemiuex/ Macklin vs Barker

 

Watch out for the Eastern European talent pouring into this division. They are very talented. This division will heat up in a years time. Not very good news for guys like Macklin imo

 

Those divisions shouldn't even exist in the first place.

 

:dealYep.

Apparently he had Kessler in big trouble in sparring, and he's only a middleweight! His punches are phenomenal.

 

Wow, an 8lb differenceatsch

I can't see him clearing up. Most big punchers have dodgy chins.

 

Well when did you last see Kessler hurt by a punch?atsch

And as for your dodgy chin comment

 

Expect better from you Flea, half a stone when you're only weighing 12 is a big difference.

 

Super middle is a division I like. They are infact noticeably bigger and stronger. Look at Kessler, Bute and Froch compared to the average middleweight. It's a different world.

There are a lot of divisions, particularly the lower ones, which aren't particularly important and we could do without so there would be a larger talent pool to get the little guys attention they deserve.

 

Flea could argue that the super middles could easily fight at 175lbs though and I tend to agree. There isn't much difference there.