Over the next year or two, we will hopefully see some tasty dust-ups involving the best welterweights in the UK. We have plenty of fighters who have a chance of fighting for belts at the moment, and most of them are from the North of England.
Kell Brook (23-0)
‘Special K’ is ranked number one by the WBO, so in theory he is in line to fight WBO champion Manny Pacquiao. This fight is far too early for Kell, and he could go after American Mike Jones (24-0) or WBA king Viacheslav Senchenko (31-0). A fight with Mike Jones would boost Kell's profile in America, but a fight with Senchenko will be difficult to finalise because the Ukrainian never fights away from home.
VERDICT: Kell Brook to fight Mike Jones next then head for Joshua Clottey?
Matthew Hatton (41-5-2)
‘Magic’ Matthew may have failed in his bid to become WBC light-middleweight champion, but his recent form at welterweight has been impressive. He is undefeated at 147lbs for almost three years. The last person to beat him at the weight was Craig Watson, almost three years ago. A rematch with Watson could be agreed in minutes, as both fighters are promoted by Hatton Promotions, but I feel Hatton is looking for world honours. Hatton's defeat to Saul Alvarez will have boosted his profile in America, so we could see him fight Paulie Malignaggi, who has recently stepped up from 140lbs. That fight could be billed as' Magic versus Magic Man!' Malignaggi is promoted by Golden Boy so this fight is a possibility thanks to the good relationship between Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Jan Zaveck (31-1) currently holds the IBF strap but rarely fights away from home. If Hatton was prepared to travel to Slovenia, this fight could be made very easily.
VERDICT: Options galore...A fight to regain his old European strap, a rematch with Watson, a trip across the pond to fight Paulie Malignaggi? Or a fight with Viacheslav Senchenko or Jan Zaveck, for a bona fide world belt?
Craig Watson (20-3)
Craig will be looking forward to the rest of 2011 after recently beating John O'Donnell to win the vacant British belt, in a rematch of their 2009 clash.
VERDICT: Watson has a defence against Lee Purdy coming up. If he gets through that unscathed, he could face Colin Lynes or Michael Jennings. Colin Lynes (34-8)
Lynes will have Watson firmly in his sights. He has recently returned to the sport after almost a year out, and has stepped up to 147lbs. He recently beat Bradley Pryce convincingly in a non-title fight, and has set his sights on domestic glory this year.
VERDICT: Will definitely get a title shot this year. How will he get on though?
Denton Vassell (16-0)
Vassell beat Lee Purdy last year to become Commonwealth champ, and has a fight against Namibian Bethuel Ushona (23-0) on 26th March. Vassell should overcome the Namibian and then go after Craig Watson.
VERDICT: Still has plenty to prove domestically before going onto European level.
Michael Jennings (36-3)
Jennings is an experienced, under-rated and unlucky pugilist. His last fight with Kell Brook was cut short due to a cut (pun intended), and he's recently had to pull out of his scheduled British title eliminator against Gary McMillan due to a hand injury.
VERDICT: English title fight, and a British title eliminator?
Others to keep an eye on Gary McMillan, Gary Young, Mark Heffron, Dale Miles, Lee Purdy, Michael Lomax, John O'Donnell, Adnan Amar and Mark Thompson.
Final thoughts...We also have to consider the prospect of Amir Khan and Frankie Gavin stepping up to 147lbs soon. Both Khan and Gavin will want to take care of business at 140lbs first though. Junior Witter's career appears to be over, after his recent loss to Victor Puiu for the vacant WBC International Silver welterweight title (can I fight for this belt?). This was Witter's first fight at 147lbs and his first fight for two years, and the disappointing loss may signal the end for the former WBC light-welterweight champion. It's a shame he never got his fight with Ricky Hatton when they were both at the peak of their powers.
I can't wait to see our welter belters tussle for straps over the next few years.
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