Updating the Welterweight Boxing Rankings After Cotto vs. Clottey

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.

6. Luis Collazo (29-4)

Several writers and fans feel Collazo did enough to warrant the decision against Berto. Count yours truly as one of them. Naturally there is unfinished business between the two, and it can only be settled in the ring. Collazo is truly the division's gatekeeper, and a win over Berto in a rematch could see him finally emerge from that position.

7. Carlos Quintana (26-2)

Quintana has been knocked out by two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. Outside those two losses, Quitana is still a load to handle for any fighter at 147.

Quintana is a southpaw with good boxing skills, and is a high risk/low reward prospect for up and coming fighters.

8. Zab Judah (37-6)

It's difficult for me to say this about a 31-year-old man, but Judah may be entering the twilight of his career. Sure he may keep on fighting, but his days as an elite fighter may be all but gone.

A move to 140 to face the lessor of the two Hatton's is an attempt to prolong his career. Assuming he gets by Hatton, he needs to take on the division's best.

Personally, I don't think he should fight again at 147. Until he says so or says he is fighting 140 full time, he remains at number eight.

9. Isaac Hlatswayo (28-1-1)

Hlatswayo owns victories over Nate Campbell and Phillip N'dou. The only problem is those wins were at lightweight. At welterweight, he has three wins and a draw with Delvin Rodriguez.

10. Vyacheslav Senchenko (29-0)

Senchenko is an undefeated welterweight from the Ukraine. He holds wins over absolutely nobody I have ever heard of. His management should expect calls from Berto's people immediately.