10.02.08 – by James Slater: The ever hot welterweight division saw two fighters going in different directions this past Saturday. One, Andre Berto, was seen moving ever upwards, while another, Paul Williams, was seen losing in a big upset, and going down a notch or two as a result. And while the loss suffered by “The Punisher” was something of a disappointment, as it potentially ruined a number of mouth-watering welterweight showdowns for the future, the 147 pound division was once again proven to be the best weight class in boxing – from both a big name standpoint as well as a mega-competitive one..
But who are the ten best 147 pounders in the sport right now? In this article, this writer gives his choices, not only for the 10 best welters in the world, but also for the most attractive next opponent for each of the top-ten. Here goes.
1. Floyd Mayweather. Record: 39-0(25) Who he’s scheduled to box next: Oscar De La Hoya. Who the fans think he should be fighting next: Miguel Cotto.
2. Miguel Cotto. Record: 31-0(25) Who he’s scheduled to box next: Alfonso Gomez. Who the fans think he should be fighting next: Floyd Mayweather.
3. Shane Mosley. Record: 44-5(37) Who he’s scheduled to box next: Zab Judah. Who the fans think he should be fighting next: Andre Berto.
4. Carlos Quintana. Record: 25-1(19). Who he’s scheduled to box next: ? Who the fans think he should be fighting next: Paul Williams.
5. Paul Williams. Record: 33-1(24) Who he’s scheduled to box next: ? Who the fans think he should be fighting next: Carlos Quintana.
6. Antonio Margarito. Record: 35-5(25) Who he’s scheduled to box next: Kermit Cintron. Who the fans think he should be fighting next: Kermit Cintron.
7. Kermit Cintron: Record: 29-1(27). Who he’s scheduled to box next: Antonio Margarito. Who the fans think he should be fighting next: Antonio Margarito.
8. Joshua Clottey: Record: 32-2(19) Who he’s scheduled to box next: ? Who the fans think he should be fighting next: The winner of Margarito-Cintron II.
9. Zab Judah. Record: 36-5(25) Who he’s scheduled to box next: Shane Mosley. Who the fans think he should be fighting next: ?!
10. Andre Berto. Record: 21-0(18). Who he’s scheduled to box next: ? Who the fans think he should be fighting next: Shane Mosley.