in terms of 154 significance. I don't pretend to know a whole lot of the divisions history, but I'm sure its a recent one. Have two fighters as great (and highly ranked) and Mayweather and Cotto fought in that division before? Plus are is this the biggest marquee matchup in 154 as well? I'm sure Oscar vs Mosley 2 will have been big, but is this bigger and does it mean more? I'm not including Pacquiao vs Cotto in this as it was not at 154.
I think this rivals Leonard V. Hagler. Although not in 160lbs as was Leonard and Haglar, the point of having the most FAMOUS Welterweight rising to fight the most FAMOUS Super Welterweight bares in significant attention. In terms of 154lbs importance, it's actually not so much so since Mayweather, if he wins, won't probably stay to fight Kirkland, Williams, Ichiro or any of the top Super Welters since they don't bring in the same appeal, money or notch adding as Cotto. Saul Alvarez would make me a liar but that would be too easy of work. If Cotto wins, then this is the biggest fight at 154 because he would actually stay to fight the others. Maybe at least two. Odds are, Saul Alvarez and Kirkland. So, it's huge based on who wins. Leonard beating Hagler was huge because of who was fighting, not the weight. We knew Leonard wouldn't stay as a middle weight for long as he went all the way up to 175lbs. However, if Hagler did, it would have been different because he probably would have fought another two fights and made blockbusters out of common men.
Who's Coto? Also I think McCallum Vs Curry would probably rank up there as one of the biggest fights at 154
Sorry to be pedantic, but Leonard never made 175 or ever fought at LH. His fight with Lalonde was a catchweight. I think Leonard made 165.
Something like that, I forget. I always liked Leonard, but it bothered me that he became recognised as a five weight champion without ever boxing in five weight classes. Since then many people have also come to regard Leonard as the first five weight champ in boxing history. However Hearns actually won his fifth title against Kinchen around three days before Leonard beat Lalonde. Hearns was the first five weight champ, not Leonard, and Hearns actually fought at the weight. As for this thread I consider that Hearns is probably the best ever at 154 and despite the result Hearns v Duran is probably the most significant match up at that weight.
Let's have a look: McCallum-Curry McCallum-Julian Jackson Hearns-Benitez Hearns-Duran Delahoya Mosley 2 Delahoya-Vargas Trinidad-Vargas Winky Wright-Mosley 1&2
Martinez is the best 154er until proven otherwise. That he was lured to 160 to keep the road clear for Mayweather does not change anything. Until Floyd beats Sergio, Sergio will be seen as clearly the best 154er of this period.
Cotto's not even #1 at the division, has not fought the #1 fighter at the division, Floyd has only fought once before at 154, never against the #1, two fighters that are not the best at 154, how can this be the most significant fight at the division in HISTORY?
