LAST September 12, former WBC and WBA welterweight champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr bade farewell to an illustrious career that won him fame and wealth over 19 years as a professional.
He concluded his remarkable and enviable career after adding his 49th unsuccessful ‘victim’ to his list- Andre Berto whom he handed a unanimous points decision victory at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas
Nevada, US to become only the second man after Rocky Marciano to go unbeaten in as many fights.
This past week, another boxing icon, the pride of the Philippines Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao an eight-division titlist also announced his plans to quit the ring in favour of a political career after 20 years in the sport.
To the hard-core boxing fan and, I daresay, even the casual observer of the sport,  will agree with me that Floyd and Pacman brought glory and recognition the welterweight division like no other boxers of their generation.
The welterweight division became arguably the most sought-after division after the two fighters showed their skills to the extent of almost overshadowing the previously most lucrative heavyweight division.
Indeed, how many fans were willing to stay up late and pay (for those who pay per- view) to watch Vitali or his younger brother Wladmir Klitschko in a contest against their opponents?
For years, there’s been an outcry to find a real heavyweight who would bring back the kind of excitement that Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander “The Real Deal” brought to the division.
Media reports quoted Pacquaiao as saying he would likely retire next year after one last fight so he could focus on a career in politics, hopefully as a senator who some tout as a potential president of the Philippines after taking career advice from God.
The pint-sized Pilipino hero turned professional at age 16 and has won 57 fights, including 38 knockouts while losing six, three of them Kos.
Two other bouts ended in a draw. When I saw the story about Pacman’s intentions, my mind immediately began asking the inevitable question: what will the welterweight division look like without Mayweather and Pacman?
To be fair, it’s not that there are no quality welterweights around, but here, I’m talking about fighters with the kind of appeal, the pedigree and sheer recognition that these two great fighters enjoyed.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the fighters in this division who might carry the mantle further. The list must imperatively include American Keith “One Time” Thurman and Kell Brook from Britain who are both unbeaten.
And then there’s Amir Khan who was the bitterest of those who missed the big payday and sounded desperate in his bid to convince the world he was the best challenger against Mayewather in his last fight, citing his silky skills.
In truth, however, every challenger wanted a piece of the purse that came with crossing paths with “Money” May. Khan was passed over in favour of rugged Argentine Marcos “El Chino” Maidana who also makes this list of potential greats.
For a long time, it was thought that Adrien Broner, a Mayweather clone would be the next Mayweather. But defeats at the hands of Maidana and Shawn Porter appear to have poured ice on that prospect.
Broner was always a marvel to watch, but it appears that something has happened to him to suggest he’s not the same guy he once was.
And you can’t rule out Danny Garcia who knocked out Khan and Porter who lost Brook. I have left out Miguel Cotto and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez who are junior middleweights, but can fight as weltweights by shedding off weight.
But they certainly make this list, especially Canelo who is young and powerful.
Next week, October 17 to be precise, look out for a review of the battle for supremacy pitting IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs) against IBO/WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (GGG) (33-0, 30 KOs)  in their unification bout on HBO pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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