Loaded deck: Pacquiao, Cambell, Marquez, and Hatton play game of UNO! March 9th, 2009 Vivek Wallace Share |

Once upon a time it was the heavyweight division that remained unparalleled in the sport of boxing, owned and operated by larger than life figures whose names alone transcended the sport itself. In recent years, we witnessed the 147 pound welterweight division take over that mantle, and now, fight fans are quickly learning that the welterweight 'ball' isn't the only dance in town, as only a block south in the 140 pound realm things have heated up rather quickly.

Leading the charge is a group of individuals who need little introduction, and what makes it an even bigger spectacle is the fact that in a sport that continues to evolve globally, each of its newest front-runners soundly delivers on a global demographic that sets themselves apart from the other. Ricky Hatton brings the European contingent, Manny Pacquiao delivers the Asian persuasion, Juan Manuel Marquez lights up the Mexican market, and Nate Campbell delivers in a dual effort, bringing both the American/African-American dynamic into the fold. In a world of diversity, what could possibly be more appealing than a four horse race with such uniquely defined talent, all willing to face off at the drop of a dime?

Let The Games Begin...

For the longest time, politics in the sport made it virtually impossible to see the best face the best, but that trend is slowly coming to an end as promoters like Top Ranks Bob Arum and Goldenboy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya put aside their differences and work for the common man. This relationship in particular is very intricate in the future of the loaded division because these two men practically hold all the cards, with Arum owning the rights to Manny Pacquiao and GBP currently promoting Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, and according to heavy rumors on the street, soon to be Nate Campbell as well.

With or without the Campbell signing taking place, his presence means the stage is now set for a huge process of elimination that won't come easy, as each contender brings certain strengths with few weaknesses to exploit, and neither will go away easy, as witnessed in the reputations carefully crafted by each man over the years.

In The End, There Can Only Be One....

When many think of the division, these are the four men that come to mind, but adding to the intrigue and thickening the plot considerably is the fact that lurking in their shadows are the four actual champs of the division. Bradley, Holt, Kotelnik, and Urango will each play a major role in the way things ultimately unfold. With Bradley and Holt scheduled to face off shortly, at least two belts will be potentially unified soon, but that leaves very little to chew on at a table full of hungry men who all came to eat! Add a still somewhat viable southpaw like Zab Judah to the mix, and before you know it, even the supposed favorites of the bunch find themselves greatly neutralized.

When it's all said and done, no one really knows how this all will play out, but one thing for certain, it sure as hell will be fun watching the process take place. I close this article by asking a question that technically serves as more of a statement.....

Damn, isn't it a great time to be a boxing fan?

(Contact Vivek Wallace at vivexemail@yahoo.com, follow more of his work at Eastside Boxing and The Examiner, or show some love at Facebook and Myspace).

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