Sources close to the information have just informed us that HBO is currently working on putting together a 140-pound tournament that would feature jr. welterweights Victor Ortiz, Marcos Maidana, WBC champion Devon Alexander and WBA champion Amir Khan. Although contracts have yet to be put together or signed, reports are that representatives for all the fighters have been contacted and are willing and eager to participate. HBO's Jr. Welterweight tournament would be similar to legendary promoter Don King's Middleweight Championship Series held back in 2001, a four-man tournament that pitted champions Bernard Hopkins, William Joppy, Keith Holmes and Felix Trinidad against each other to produce the first undisputed middleweight champion since Marvin Hagler.
Unlike the Super Six Super Middleweight Tournament currently being staged by Showtime, HBO's tournament would take place in a much shorter timeframe, with a winner being crowned in a matter of months as opposed to a couple of years. The first round of fights would feature the two champions defending their titles. The tentative matchups include WBA champion Amir Khan versus Marcos Maidana and WBC champion Devon Alexander versus Victor Ortiz. The winners would move on to face each other in the final bout.
Obviously, the tournament champion would hold 2 out of the 4 major titles in the division, which could set up future bouts or even a second tournament with current IBF champion Juan Urango and/or the winner of the upcoming clash between WBO champion Timothy Bradley and challenger Lamont Peterson. The ultimate goal, however, is to build a future star and worthy challenger for the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, including Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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