By Troy Ondrizek 

 

It’s not a changing of the guard or a passing of the torch scenario, but basic economics. 

 

In a time of financial uncertainty around the globe, the historic lightweight division has fallen into a recession of talent and relevance.

 

During the same time frame, the oft underappreciated junior welterweight division – just five pounds north – is brimming with prominent names and the personal economy of its resident fighters is flourishing. 

 

This situation is unprecedented in regards to these respective divisions.  After all, lightweight is one of the “original eight” divisions in boxing, and “junior” divisions are primarily just filler. 

 

Lightweight is the home of Pernell Whitaker, Benny Leonard, Joe Gans, and Roberto Duran. Men of whom the sport recognize as icons, all of whom can be found high on any given list that ranks the best fighters in boxing history.

 

Granted, the junior welterweight division has offered the likes of Julio Cesar Chavez, Meldrick Taylor, Kostya Tszyu, and Ricky Hatton. 

 

However, the tradition of the division is being made now.

 

If we were to compare them in terms of world history, the lightweights are China and junior welterweights are Trinidad and Tobago. 

 

So why is such a prominent division losing out to an inferior version created solely for the financial benefit of cancerous sanctioning bodies? 

 

A valid question that is easily answered. 

 

Money, exposure, and the fame that comes with both; couple those with the fact that talent attracts more talent and you have the current boxing boon at 140 and bust at 135.

 

Take into account that just three years ago, the lightweights were smoking hot. Joel Casamayor was its lineal champion; the Diaz trio (Juan, Julio and David) were considered the best of the rest; and the likes of Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao were preparing a move from their junior lightweight perch.

 

Divisional momentum was gained two years prior, on the heels of the epic championship battle between Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales. However, looking back it really proved to be the beginning of the end.

 

We know the money and talent traveled north to 140 and that’s the reason why lightweight is on the slide, but why and when did that trend start?

 

The answer: the arrival of Ricky Hatton as junior welterweight king, June 4, 2005.

 

The Guinness-loving, football playing brawler from Manchester battered Kostya Tszyu into submission and captured the junior welterweight crown. 

 

He is so beloved by his British faithful that they will travel over 5,000 miles across the Atlantic to Las Vegas by the thousands to watch Ricky fight, as well as provide his theme music. 

 

That Hatton puts asses in the seats means he brings money to the table. In turn, everyone’s quest for money lures better/more notable opposition.

 

The media market for Ricky was such that HBO became involved, allowing regular fight-fans to take notice of the junior welterweights at its highest level. 

 

During Hatton’s rise to prominence, he carried an entire division like it was a fat-suit, which in turn began the declination of the lightweight division.            

 

Castillo and Corrales both reached a point to where they could no longer make the lightweight limit, forcing their respective departures (Castillo fought and lost to Hatton).

 

The Diaz’ took interesting journeys - Julio fizzled out; David ended up being the lone Diaz to face (and get slaughtered) by Manny Pacquiao, who in turn went on to take the junior welterweight title from Hatton; and Juan fought for the lightweight belt but was KO’d by Marquez in the 2009 Fight of the Year.      

 

The lightweights have given us a bit more excitement exemplified by the aforementioned Marquez-Diaz bout. However, things aren’t as they appear. 

 

Marquez seriously entertained a fight with Amir Khan at junior welterweight. He thought poorly of the situation and decided against it, but hasn’t ruled out other 140 lb ventures. 

 

All of this follows his ill-advised foray at 147 against Floyd Mayweather Jr. You know there are issues when the division’s champ won’t stay and fight.

 

It’s not the weight; it’s the money. 

 

The only realistic candidate for Marquez to defend his title against from a legacy and entertainment standpoint is free-swinging Australian contender Michael Katsidis. Such a bout won’t secure Marquez’ financial future; a fight with a multitude of junior welters will, just as a fight with Khan would’ve. 

 

Khan himself was a touted lightweight prospect who added pounds to make more British pounds at 140.  He is just one of many who jumped up from 135 in recent times - Juan Diaz, Nate Campbell, Marquez, and Pacquiao did the same, and even current red-hot lightweight Edwin Valero is toying with the idea. 

 

Valero broke Antonio DeMarco’s soul earlier this year to establish himself as a legitimate top lightweight, yet is already envisioning bigger and better at junior welterweight. Aiding his cause is the fact that the pathetic WBC has ceremoniously stripped him of the paper belt he just won, declaring the Venezuelan a titlist in recess due to a cut suffered in his last bout and his willingness to chase bigger fights at a higher weight.

 

Can you blame him for considering such a move? Look at the names at 140: at present time, you have Manny Pacquiao as the champion (in personal exile from the division), Timothy Bradley, Marquez, Khan, Marcos Maidana, Juan Urango, Kendall Holt, Campbell, Devon Alexander, Paulie Malignaggi, Juan Diaz, Victor Ortiz, Lamont Peterson, and Herman Ngoudjo. All are good fighters who have been on HBO or Showtime.

 

Compare that to 135, where you are left with: Juan Manuel Marquez (champion on sabbatical), Ali Funeka, Joan Guzman, and Michael Katsidis. 

 

It’s a bit shocking to see the dearth of talent in the lightweight division; much of it is due to fighters moving up five pounds north.

 

The exodus in talent from lightweight to junior welterweight is reminiscent of the Cuban amateur defectors over the years - damaging to the program, but an understandable move. 

 

Just as our sport has benefited from the influx of Cubans, so has the junior welterweight division prospered from the talent migration. 

 

Cuba always manages to recover; it stands to reason that the lightweight division will eventually do the same.

 

Still, it’s shocking to see such a dramatic disparity between one of boxing’s most storied divisions and one only now living up to its full potential.

 

We are in an “era” at junior welterweight; one where multiple fighters associated with it will make it to Canastota. The one who stakes his claim as the best will be a legend that draws young men into the sport and to whom they will be compared.

 

It’s a wonderful thing to behold, but the lightweights are suffering because of it. It’s a problem that boxing is blessed to have and might be the only time we see the junior welterweights as the premier division in the sport.