By Edward Chaykovsky
In the last few days, there have been widespread internet rumors that IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (36-1, 25KOs) is looking for a new promotional home.
Brook has been out of the ring since suffering a fifth round stoppage loss at the hands of middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin back in September. He suffered a fractured orbital bone in the fight and underwent surgery.
Brook's promoter of record, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, is well aware of the rumors. His main promotional rival, Frank Warren, has recently signed a blockbuster televised deal with BT Sport - a deal which evened out the playing field a bit when it comes to signing marketable fighters.
Hearn has spoken with Brook on the phone and based on their conversation he disputes the rumors that continue to circulate on social media.
While Hearn expects Brook to remain in his stable, he can't predict what the future will hold.
"My twitter started going mad. ‘Kell Brook has left Eddie Hearn’ Bloody hell! Has he?’ I texted Kell and he phoned me straight up and started laughing. You never know in boxing, some people you take their loyalty...don’t forget when we were in negotiations with David Haye (for next year’s Tony Bellew fight) other promoters were getting people to phone Bellew to say do the fight on our channel, we will pay you this and that," Hearn told IFL TV.
"Fighters are always going to get the carrot dangled in front of them. It is how loyal they are. But also sometimes an opportunity is too good to turn down. I understand that. I can’t tell you we will keep every fighter we’ve got..that’s just life. But I have been through a hell of a lot with Kell Brook, a hell of a lot. And if that did happen it would be a massive kick in the nuts. I don’t envisage it to happen at all. But who knows, in the future?
“Certain fighters you trust their loyalty a million percent, Tony Bellew is one of them... probably Kell Brook too. So I don’t think there is any truth at all - well I know there’s not. But who knows what the future holds?"
As far as Brook's future, the Sheffield fighter wants to continue making appearances on pay-per-view. To make that happen, Hearn must line up the proper opponents. Brook's mandatory challenger is undefeated Olympian Errol Spence.
"Pay Per View fights only for Kell Brook, that’s all he wants. So I have got to deliver them. And if I cannot deliver them, who knows? The promoter added of boxers, in general: “The ones that are loyal to you and you trust are the ones you will go the extra mile for," Hearn said.
