BoxRec

I’ve performed a little bit of research into the current state of the welterweight landscape for the top-ten fighters rated by ESPN and The Ring:

• Keith Thurman - Inactive due to injury, but is allowed to participate in a voluntary defence prior to performing a mandatory defence against Shawn Porter and then he must face the winner of the WBC's final eliminator between Danny Garcia and Brandon Rios

• Errol Spence Jr. - Faces Lamont Peterson on the 20th January, 2018

• Shawn Porter - Doesn't have a fight lined-up but is the mandatory challenger for the WBC welterweight title, which means he'll likely engage in a stay-busy type of fight prior to engaging in a rematch against Keith Thurman during the second half of 2018

• Kell Brook - Has seemingly made the jump to 154lbs and will face Siarhei Rabchanka on the 3rd March, 2018. He hasn't ruled-out returning to the 147lbs division for big fights

• Danny Garcia - Will be participating in a WBC final eliminator on the 17th February, 2018, against Brandon Rios, with a view to engaging in a rematch against Keith Thurman either late 2018 or more likely early 2019

• Lamont Peterson - Faces Errol Spence Jr. on the 20th January, 2018

• Lucas Matthysse - Has a fight lined-up against Tewan Kiram on the 27th January, 2018

• Jeff Horn - Has been ordered by the WBO to perform a mandatory defence of his title against Terence Crawford, with the fight not being formally announced yet, but a provisional date has been pencilled in for April

• Manny Pacquiao - Is currenly embroiled in his political career. There were recent rumours about him facing Conor McGregor next. He agreed to step-aside and allow his Top Rank stablemate, Terence Crawford, challenge Jeff Horn for the WBO title. The Filipino legend could be lined-up to face the commercially lucrative Amir Khan for his next bout

• Jessie Vargas - Doesn't have a fight lined-up, sice he only competed a few weeks ago. He could be in line to face fellow Al Haymon stablemates Keith Thuran (when he eventually returns from injury) or Amir Khan. He had recently engaged in discussions to face Jeff Horn, but the negotiations fell through

Thoughts?

Welterweight has always been the best division. Even since I was a kid, and I fart dust

Currently loaded with talent, but also reeks of the top guys avoiding fights that are the most meaningful. Nothing new though.

Porter is not staying busy. He and his dad said his next fight will be the Thurman fight. I don't agree with it, but Porter is not going to risk his mando status

It's still one of the deeper divisions in the sport. I look forward to when Spence and Crawford get their names in the mix against the other stand out talent of the division. Unfortunately it takes Boxing years these days to do what should only take months. Some of the guys that would make for the fights we want to see now won't even be relevant anymore by the time the chance comes to actually make the fights.

Still very strong if the right fights are made. Garcia v Rios is not one of they fights.

good post op

a division can have all the talent but so what unless the right fights are regularly happening.