Adam Smith on the class of Yuri Romanov, the progression of Amir Khan and the credibility of Ricky Hatton.
Levels are so crucial in boxing. Sometimes these come out very clearly even when two fighters enter a match which looks fairly close on paper.
Most critics felt that European Lightweight champion
Yuri Romanov would retain his crown in Bethnal Green last Friday. But plenty gave Jon Thaxton some sort of a realistic chance. After all, he has tonnes of experience, plenty of power and bucket loads of courage.
Jon Thaxton is a gallant British champion, and at 33, maybe this big chance came too late on for a fighter that we first took note of way way back in the early nineties.
But what unfolded was a prime example of how important 'levels' are and how painfully these can become apparent. We have seen Romanov many times before, but our most recent memory of the Belarussian was his luke-warm performance against Graham Earl.
Romanov is a very skilled European operator, and may now be good enough to mix in world class. Thaxton is a fighter who has spent years churning away and who's been finally rewarded with the British title. A lovely story.
But in truth, this was one-sided. As ever, Thaxton tried, but Romanov was too strong, too organised, too sharp, and even hit harder.
Thanks to the excellent decision by corner-man Dominic Ingle, the horrible gash over the right eye that Thaxton received brought a slightly premature end. Yet it might well have saved the Norwich southpaw from a real hammering. And certainly no disgrace for Thaxton - he was just beaten by a superior boxer.
When the cut heals, Thaxton will surely defend the Lonsdale Belt. And if successful, the treasured prize will be his for keeps. That would be thoroughly deserved.
Elite
Still just 25, Romanov moves on to mix with the elite. And that is extremely well deserved too.
Will that mean a match with Amir Khan - or will it be deemed too risky for Khan to tackle Romanov at this stage?
Amir put another nice, controlled and patient display on to dismantle Martin Kristjansen - becoming the first man to halt the tough Dane.
Khan proved he belongs in a higher league - Will he be crowned a world champion? I think he has the talent to achieve that, but it wouldn't surprise me if Team Khan gently bypass Romanov on the way.
Meanwhile could Derry Matthews have reached his level? The biggest domestic shock of the year so far came as the popular Liverpudlian was taken apart by the hard Mongolian based up in Lancashire, Choi Tseveenpurev. One defeat doesn't make you a bad fighter, but the match was a dangerous one for Matthews. Let's see if he can regroup and come back stronger.
Admirer
I saw Junior Witter last week, and it just gives me a chance to address reaction to my last blog.
Yes, I am an admirer of Ricky Hatton. But that doesn't mean I am not an admirer of Junior Witter too. Both are firmly ensconced at world level, but here's a case of a match simply not being made.
Now would I like the most eagerly-awaited British clash for years to become reality? Of course. But let's put this into context.
Witter has fabulous skills and power, but he blows hot and cold, and does not have the popularity of the Hitman.
He deserves a great deal of respect and I think he's carved his way well through a difficult career. He needs to cash in now - probably in America.
Witter needs Hatton but does Hatton need him? That's debatable. Not when he's selling thousands of tickets for whoever he fights, and making money; but its true to say that a Witter fight would still be big box-office.
Hatton, though, seems to have rather transcended the sport and is in a different market-place now. He attracts the casual supporter.
Meanwhile, the hardcore fans want Hatton to meet Witter because the jury is out on whether the Hitman's even the best light-welterweight in Britain. Junior's been in much better form of late.
Hatton may lose credibility if he never faces Witter. He might regret it deep down and in the long run. But the ball is largely in Ricky's court over this.
Are they on the same level? Will we ever find out who the better fighter is? With my fan's hat on, I truly hope so. But don't hold your breath just yet. This will take time. And unfortunately that is something neither of these fabulous fighters have much of.
Boardwalk
This weekend there are plenty of matches on as
Sky Sports brings you exciting bills from both sides of the Atlantic, when different levels will be on display.
The world's best welterweights will be firing up the Atlantic City boardwalk!
Dazzling and unbeaten Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto should be a notch or two above the Mexican-Californian Contender star Alfonso Gomez in the early hours of Sunday morning. But Gomez will give it absolutely everything he knows, to try and bridge the class divide. It should be thrilling while it lasts.
The fascinating re-match between Kermit Cintron and Antonio Margarito looks more level on paper. Margarito stopped Cintron brutally in their first encounter, but the tall power-puncher has improved and will be very dangerous early.
Margarito, 'The Tijuana Tornado' is idolised by some for his steely fighting temperament, strength and underrated boxing ability. He has operated and succeeded in a higher league to Cintron, and that could become apparent again. Margarito to level Cintron late on?
The boxing bonanza kicks off on Friday with
Prizefighter - where all of the big boys are very much on the same level.
And when its a level playing field, this often makes for really enjoyable action. Whatever we get, it will be well worth watching. The build-up's nearly complete, the York Hall will be buzzing, and anything in this tournament can happen.
Eight British heavyweights hunting a little fame and fortune. And all to be decided on Friday night, with one man left standing. Superb entertainment!
As Mills Lane, the world-famous referee who saw everything in heavyweight boxing from ear-biting to stunning knockouts, used to say: 'Let's get it on!'
