Hearn: If not Mayweather - Rios, Alexander/Chaves then Bradley

Kell Brook eyes Tim Bradley fight, after Brandon Rios As yet unconfirmed Brook-Rios still looks likely for September 12, writes John Dennen WHILE not yet finalised, it looks like IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook will headline the September 12 show at the O2 in London against American Brandon Rios. Subsequently a major fight against Tim Bradley could be in the frame. “Brook-Rios, we’re in discussion with Top Rank. It’s not done yet. If that is done, then that will be the headline bout at the O2 on September 12. If not Kell might fight in October instead but he’s in training now with that date in mind,” Brook’s promoter, Eddie Hearn told Boxing News. “If it’s Rios, I think after that we look at Bradley, if we can’t get Khan. It’s a really good fight. It’s a really tough fight I rate Tim Bradley as one of the top welterweights in the world. I really do. He’s very hard to beat, tough, great engine, great chin, explosive. I rate Keith Thurman as well. I also rate Kell Brook as, outside of Floyd Mayweather, the number one welterweight in the world. I do. I think he beats them all. The Bradley fight is a really tough fight but I like that fight.” Rios would be Brook’s second voluntary defence. If he comes through, as expected, he may have to face a mandatory challenger. That could set up a fight with Tim Bradley for next year. “After September 12 we are due a mandatory probably around December, January time and that at the moment is the winner of Devon Alexander against Diego Chaves. We have to see what happens with that. By then he would have had two voluntaries in Frankie Gavin and whoever we choose next. I don’t mind the winner of Alexander against Chaves,” Hearn said. Like Carl Frampton versus Scott Quigg, Brook-Khan is one of the elusive super-fights that haunts the British boxing scene. “It is a 50-50 fight. I believe Amir thinks he’s going to win the fight, I know Kell Brook does. But it is a 50-50 fight. So it is a huge risk but the risk is there with the reward,” said Hearn. “You’re going to get more money than you would in any other fight and you’re going to fill a stadium in the UK, it’s going to be an epic night for British boxing. How long can you wait for Floyd Mayweather?” For a long time Khan has been tipped as a future opponent for Floyd Mayweather. Hearn has also put his fighter, Brook forward for a potential shot at the pound-for-pound ruler. However he is not optimistic. “I’ve spoken to their team. I’ve put Kell’s name in the hat. Why would you fight Kell Brook if you’re Floyd Mayweather? He’s probably one of the most dangerous fighters in the division, he’s technically very good, he’s young, he’s hungry. Again, if you were Floyd Mayweather, why would you fight Amir Khan? In case people think I’m being pro Kell Brook, why would you fight Amir Khan? He’s young he’s hungry, he’s got things that can trouble Floyd Mayweather. He is coming off the biggest fight in world boxing history. You haven’t got anything to prove.” Brook isn’t likely to linger much longer waiting for an invite to the big “Money” fight. A final decision on the September 12 bill is expected this week. http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/kell-brook-eyes-tim-bradley-fight-after-brandon-rios/

Comments (20)

Would'nt hold my breath. Khan probably has his excuses lined up should the scenario you laid out came to pass. Or more likely, he'll have some more losses and the value of the fight will have dropped significantly.

10y ago

DreamerUSA

Hopefully he gets the Mayweather fight but I doubt it. Rios better not back out after all that smack he talked. Didn't realise the Chaves/Alexander mandatory was due before the end of the year. Then hopefully Bradley and Thurman next year. Then who knows? Maybe after all that he'll be worthy to share the ring with her majesty the Queen Khan-tradiction. Would'nt hold my breath. Khan probably has his excuses lined up should the scenario you laid out came to pass.

10y ago

Dirk_Diggler_UK

Is Chaves signed to Top Rank? If so, the fight is unlikely to happen considering the recent legal issue. It's supposed to be going to purse bids but I can see one of them pulling out.

10y ago

Greed

Is Chaves signed to Top Rank? If so, the fight is unlikely to happen considering the recent legal issue.

10y ago

Dirk_Diggler_UK

So kell is gonna fight thurman and khans and chaves leftovers. Interdasting Thurman is fighting Ricky Hatton's leftovers and Bradley keeps facing untested prospects. Mayweather is fighting Prescott's leftovers next which explains why you've become an honorary Khanturd. What happened to your alt?

10y ago

G_Child_123

Calling all Brook haters, who you throwing Brook in with instead if this nice timeline of fights Hearn has thrown out for you ain't suitable? Bradley - just fought, can't do a deal right now, hence why they are looking after the mandatory. Thurman - scheduled against Collazo you absolute fools Pacquiao & Marquez - both injured Porter - Beat him, regardless of how TV friendly you think it was Chaves/Alexander - mandatory discussed as above Then your getting into the likes of Guerrero, Broner, Algieri but my guess is you don't fancy making a case for those guys :fing26: Khan - waiting on a fight for Mayweather, may not get the call, not scheduled :thinking: He has fought ONE of the above (Alexander) and beat him nicely, but he is meant to be some sort of demi-god at WELTERWEIGHT that Brook is not fit to step in a ring with. Khan knows where the phone is, but Brook is gonna be bypassing this fool if Khan don't deal with it himself. Then I'm sure you'll all have no problems rounding on Khan.:nonono:

10y ago

BrometheusBob

Am I the only wondering how Chavez/Alexander would deserve the mandatory at this point? I mean they're sold fighters and all but not like either would be at the top after that fight. Shrug I guess it's a big step up from JoJo Dan at least.

10y ago

Ray

Rios is the easy option, Bradley is an actual contender at 147lbs. Rios got outboxed by Mike Alvarado FFS. Only Bradley makes me water in the mouth right now for Brook, maybe Alexander (If he can get a good win under his belt), the rest........meh

10y ago

LacedUp

I'm probably in the minority but hope the Brook Vs Rios fight comes off. I think Brook beats Chaves/Alexander pretty easily. I'd love to see Brook Vs Alexander if only to see that old poster come back. Can't quite recall his name but he used to post daily on how Alexander would batter Brook with no problems. Think he left the site after Porter beat Devon. Brook Vs Bradley is good fight. Competitive. rome-by-ko, Mathed - those guys were heavy on Alexander. I doubt they'd be as optimistic now

10y ago

_JSFD26_

Brook stops Bradley with a jab like he did the Argentinian.

10y ago

FrankieBruno

Minus Rios, all those other matches i cant complain about, decent mando, and a fight against a top 10- WW. however the likelihood of bradley vs brook happening, i have my doubts

10y ago

Chrismart

10y ago

KOer

Rios is the easy option, Bradley is an actual contender at 147lbs. Rios got outboxed by Mike Alvarado FFS.

10y ago

LacedUp

So kell is gonna fight thurman and khans and chaves leftovers. Interdasting Khan fights Brook's leftovers' leftovers doe

10y ago

HanzGruber

So kell is gonna fight thurman and khans and chaves leftovers. Interdasting

10y ago

Weebler_I

Has Chaves/Alexander even scheduled a date yet? It seems very soon to already be due a mandatory this year imo - but whatever. I think IBF mandos work on time limits, and Brook was out for a while. Alexander/Chaves would both be a lot easier for Brook than Rios - especially Alexander who would get his ass absolutely smashed to bits. Rios is a better fight than both those guys, at least he'll bring it. Alexander is the only easy fight I see there for Brook. Rios will give it a good go, and Chaves matches up fairly well stylistically. That said, I can see Alexander beating Chaves, the latter doesn't seem great against movement.

10y ago

LacedUp

Aww ffs, I wanted to see him explain how Kell Brook is "non-coloured". :lol1: I'll explain it for you: He's an absolute idiot. His first line of defense is to call others racist and he's done that a lot over the last couple of days. #SÅU

10y ago

Dirk_Diggler_UK

You've been put on ignore & reported for continuously calling everyone racist. Aww ffs, I wanted to see him explain how Kell Brook is "non-coloured". :lol1:

10y ago

LacedUp

Mandos are due every 9 months or something aren't they? It'll have been that long since the Dan fight by December. Alexander-Chaves is a decent fight for both so hope it comes off. Maybe with the IBF. I think it's different rules for different orgs. But IBF are more strict than others. Yeah it's a good fight, no question.

10y ago

Dirk_Diggler_UK

Considering he was fought a mando 3 months ago, I think it's early to start talking about it. But it probably won't happen before feb/march next year anyway. Doesn't sound like they can work together by the sounds of things. Hope TR pulls out so Brook can give Alexander the long overdue beating he deserves for talking so much shyt back in 2012 about Brook. Funny though, Alexander says he picks Brook to beat Khan. Mandos are due every 9 months or something aren't they? It'll have been that long since the Dan fight by December. Alexander-Chaves is a decent fight for both so hope it comes off.

10y ago