Future of the Middleweight Division in 2018
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Happy New Year is coming up. With that, in light of recent events and developments, the state of the middleweight division can be looked at in greater detail. Big money fights and matchups loom on the international horizon in 2018. Here is what the middleweight scene looks like and how it could evolve in the year ahead.
- Gennady Golovkin versus Saul Canelo Alvarez Rematch
GGG and Alvarez fought to a controversial draw in their world middleweight title bout in 2017. Public demand, world titular clarity and monster paydays for both combatants virtually mandate the rematch take place. The only questions are where, when, how much money and the conditions to be set.
- Billy Joe Saunders versus any top name
Saunders tortured both David Lemieux and the Canadian crowd in winning a ridiculous 12 round decision in Bell Place in Laval, Quebec, in Lemieux’ home country. 80 percent of the punches thrown by Saunders are jabs, and his superior footwork and ability to draw distance range draw comparisons to Sergio Gabriel Martinez in his prime. Middleweight southpaw Saunders, 26-0 with 12 knockouts, Hatfield, United Kingdom, has established himself as one of the superior technical fighters in the ring today. The Lemieux fight was a joke for Saunders, but he still has not fought a world-class marquee name as yet.
- Daniel Jacobs versus any top name
Former WBA World Middleweight champion Jacobs, 33-2 with 29 knockouts, Brooklyn, New York, is coming off a 12 round decision over 18-0 Luis Arias last month.
Jacobs versus Saunders could be interesting, and would be a battle between the power of Jacobs and the technical skill of Saunders. Also, where the bout would be held, the United States or the United Kingdom, could affect the outcome.
- Jermall Charlo versus any top name
Former IBF World Junior Middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, 26-0 with 12 knockouts, Houston, Texas, entered the middleweight rankings this past July with a fourth round stoppage of Jorge Sebastian Heiland. He could be a major factor in the 160 pound division if he beats another big name.
- Demetrius Andrade
Former WBA World Junior Middleweight champion Demetrius ‘Boo-Boo’ Andrade, 25-0, 16 knockouts, Providence, Rhode Island, entered the middleweight rankings by coming off the canvas and winning a 12 round unanimous decision over 18-0-1 Alantez Fox.
- Sergiy Derevyanchenko
At 11-0, the Ukrainian 2008 Olympian could be the ‘silent sleeper’ who upsets the big names in the middleweight division. Potential on the rise but as yet undetermined.
- Ryota Murata
At 13-0 with 10 knockouts, the current WBA World Middleweight titleholder from Japan remains an unknown question mark. He has technical skills, though, and could pose trouble for any potential title challenges. Who will be next for him? That is the question.
- Maciej Sulecki
At 26-0 with 10 knockouts, Poland’s Sulecki remains dangerous at both 154 and 160 pounds. He holds a tenth round stoppage win over Hugo Centeno Jr., and a 10 round decision win over Jack Culcay, making him both technically dangerous and a power punching threat.
9. Jaime Munguia
At only 21 years old, Munguia is 26-0 with 22 knockouts. The Tijuana, Mexico native fought his last bout in Las Vegas, but remains relatively unknown among boxing experts.
- Irish Gary O’Sullivan
At 17-2 with 19 knockouts, O’Sullivan, from Cork, Ireland, recently scored an impressive seventh round stoppage over Antoine Douglas, dropping Douglas for the win.
Unbeaten 160 Pound Middleweight Prospects Honorable Mention: Hikuru Nishida (Japan), Kamil Szeremeta (Poland), Jason Quigley (United States), Walter Kautondokwa (Namibia), Marcelo Esteban Coceres (Argentina), Steve Rolls (Canada), Vaughn Alexander (United States), Cesar Nunez (Spain), David Toussaint (Australia). Chris Eubank Jr., who next fights George Groves for the WBA World Super Middleweight title, is at 168 pounds.
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