Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach knows a thing or two about the welterweight division having trained Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and had an interesting take on where it is today compared to years past.

The Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao era a few years back really revived the smaller weight classes in terms of bringing the big pay days to the welterweight division again.

Something previously that was only reserved for heavyweight boxing for the most part.

Now, a new era at 147lbs exists where talented fighters like Terence Crawford, Errol Spence, Keith Thurman, and Danny Garcia all reside.

As well as established names like Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan.

Speaking to BlueLBoxing, Freddie Roach singled out one man at the top of the pile for the moment however:

“Crawford is the guy to beat right bow but Errol Spence is coming up quickly behind him. I would love to see that fight. I think those guys are the two best out there.”

On if they could compete with Sugar Ray Leonard in his era:

“No. At that time they are tough fights, competitive of course. But guys like Sugar Ray Leonard for what he did in the amateurs and pros, he can compete in any area I feel.”

Comparing fighters from different eras is always difficult and Spence and Crawford still have some way to go in terms of finishing their careers, so time will tell.