As is always the case in professional boxing, some divisions are hotter than others, both in terms of volume of quality match up and raw talent in the weight class.
Former world champion turned pundit Tim Bradley has revealed which division he believes is currently the strongest, and his answer may not come as too much of a surprise.
In a recent feature on ESPN.com, Bradley explained that the light welterweight division [140lbs], which now contains the likes of Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, Regis Prograis and, most recently, Devin Haney, is the very best in the sport.
“I had a tough time picking the top spot but the 140-pound division takes the honour with a slight edge over 135. This division is the most talented of all the weight classes in boxing. There is growing excitement for a potential showdown between lightweight undisputed champion Devin Haney and Prograis.”
The junior welterweight division offers a plethora of intriguing matchups. Potential bouts like Ryan Garcia, complete with hand speed, punching power and size, versus Lopez’s exceptional athleticism, timing, quickness, and bruising punching power should be a must-see.
How about Haney vs. Lopez? And there’s the hard-hitting, awkwardly gifted, explosive puncher Rolly Romero vs. Garcia, and the relentless heavy-handed volume puncher Matias vs. any of these names, including Jose Ramirez, Jack Catterall and Arnold Barbosa.
Any of these matchups would provide exciting, thrilling must-see encounters for boxing enthusiasts. The division is stacked with talent, making it an exciting time to be a junior welterweight in boxing.”
As alluded to by Bradley, there are a host of mouthwatering potential fights to be made at 140, with more potentially on the horizon, with the likes of Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis all tipped to move up from lightweight at some point.
Haney and Progress finalising a deal to fight for the latter’s WBC world title would be the perfect kickstarter for a golden era for the division, with talks again in an advanced stage after stalling somewhat.