Nate Campbell moving up to 140lbs; says farewell to lightweights!

Following his majority decision win over Ali Funeka on Saturday night, former lightweight titlist Nate Campbell made it clear that he will no longer campaign at lightweight after losing his titles on the scales for coming into the Funeka fight over weight. Campbell is migrating North with plans to enter the junior welterweight sweepstakes, in what should be a compelling addition to a division that was once viewed as waste station South of the glamorous and talent laden welterweight division.

Pound for Pound king Manny Pacquiao and champion Ricky Hatton will be fighting in a high profile fight for the world jr welterweight championship in Las Vegas on May 2, so Campbell would appear to be at least the third biggest name in that weight class. Former undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah, who recently called out Campbell as well as some other contenders at 140lbs on Boxingtalk, has returned to 140lbs with an uninspiring unanimous decision win over Ernest Johnson on the Calzaghe vs Jones undercard back in November.

WBO title holder Kendall Holt and WBC champion Timothy Bradley will be unifying two of the belts at 140lbs when they meet in a fight of great significance on April 4. Why the fight is being staged in Montreal, Canada is beyond me, being that one fighter is from California and the other from New Jersey, but that is beside the point. Former IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi, as well as contenders Gato Figueroa, Victor Ortiz, and Devon Alexander also reside in the deepening division, so it looks like Mr. Campbell will have some options to choose from in this neighborhood of his.