Updating the Welterweight Boxing Rankings After Cotto vs. Clottey

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

After Miguel Cotto's split decision win over Joshua Clottey, here is an update to the Welterweight division rankings.

1. Shane Mosley (46-5)

Fresh off of his destruction of Antonio Margarito, it seemed the sky was the limit for Shane Mosley. Almost six months later and it seems the limit is the sky.

Mosley wants the big fights, and no one seems willing to step into the ring with him. It would seem at this point he needs to look at someone not named Pacquiao or Mayweather if he is to fight again this year.

2. Miguel Cotto (34-1)

For Cotto, this ranking is more like 1b.

He owns a win over Mosley, but a more recent loss to Margarito. His win over Clottey was as close as wins can be, so it doesn't warrant a move up in ranking. His next fight against Pacquiao won't be at welterweight, so it should not affect his ranking in any manner.

3. Antonio Margarito (37-6)

This spot is highly debatable. Ring Magazine has Margarito at number four, and it's arguable if he should be ranked at all. However, regardless of personal opinion, if he is going to be allowed to fight on after his suspension is up, he has to be ranked.

Looking at his body of work, he has beat two of the guys Ring Magazine has ranked above him.

I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt in that I feel if he cheated prior to the Mosley fight, we will all know soon enough. His return to the ring should provide the answers the boxing fans want.

4.  Joshua Clottey (35-3)

Joshua Clottey is in a tough spot. He has never been dominated or beaten up, yet he finds a way to lose fights he should win. Had he thrown more punches against Cotto, he might be number two now instead of number four. Simply put, Clottey lacks that killer instinct.

Clottey was a difficult matchup for fighters before the Cotto fight. If I were Andre Berto's manager I would keep Clottey away from my fighter. Maybe a return fight against Margarito when his suspension is up will give Clottey a chance to finally step it up in a big fight.

5. Andre Berto (25-0)

Never has a fighter been ranked so high while doing so little. Ok, so I'm exaggerating but you get my point. It's time for Berto to step it up against a legitimate welterweight. Clottey would seem like a perfect dance partner, but I'm not sure it's a good fight for Berto.

If not Berto, a rematch with Collazo would be the next best option.

If Berto is the leader of the next generation of welterweights, it's time for him to show the world—no more junior welterweight fighters moving up.

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