Why was Spence put on the IBF route?

Definitely to control the WW division. He had Thurman in the WBA. Garcia in the WBC and Spence in the IBF. I think he ceded the wbo to Arum though lol Agree with this. Besides the WBO, IBO, etc etc are bogus organizations anyway IMO.

Something I've been wondering is why Haymon decided to put Spence on the IBF route when they clearly think Spence could be a star and Brook is (in my opinion) slightly tougher than Garcia/ Thurman. Plus, if Spence became mandatory for Garcia/ Thurman and then lost, Haymon would control the winning fighter. However, if Brook beats Spence, that won't happen. I know it doesn't really matter, I'm just happy the fight got made, but I'm slightly curious about this. Any thoughts? Im guessing you are implying they went the IBF route because They didnt want Spence to sign up for VADA?

Maybe they felt it was the easiest route to a mandatory shot and that IBF do always enforce their mandatories more than the other belt organisations, although that sometimes makes for bad fights. My guess is they felt this was the best way to get Spence a title shot. Plus when he started the IBF route, nobody can predict the future and know if Brook would still be champion or not. So i think it was mostly based on which route was best to get the title shot, not who was the champion because belts are vacated and changing hands all the time anyway. It just so happens Brook still has the belt..

Because they enforce their rules I'd imagine. This^^^^ With those other belts the organizations have shown that they don't follow their rules, make up rules when they want, and genuinely don't really care too much about mandos unless it's going to be lucrative. The IBF is the only org that seems to follow their rules, so going after that strap and being the mandatory guaranteed Spence a shot at the belt, whether it was going to be to fight the actual champion or for a vacant strap

Well some people here are going to tell you that Spence Jr and Beterbiev when the IBF way because the WBC has this VADA testing thing..

It's difficult to project things that way, I personally don't think there was any sort of calculated move.

If Khan fights pac, and wins, that'd be another haymon ww with a belt

Because they enforce their rules I'd imagine.

Control the WW division plus someone had to remove that belt from it's hostage.

Definitely to control the WW division. He had Thurman in the WBA. Garcia in the WBC and Spence in the IBF. I think he ceded the wbo to Arum though lol

He's been on the IBF route for a long time though. I think the Barrera fight in 2015 was an IBF eliminator, there was no serious talk of Brook moving up back then. I'm in the UK, maybe you need to go to bed? ;) Seriously though, I understand if you don't think it's important it's just been bugging me for some reason. I think Brook has more variety than Thurman and does more veteran moves, which I think makes him more of an awkward opponent for an inexperienced guy like Spence. You're probably right, but I shows that he's either desperate to get unified 147 champion to build a PBC storyline or he's amazingly confident in Spence's ability considering most promoters/ managers match potential stars as easily as they can. Plus Al Haymon does the fights his fighters want more than any other promoter, lets not forget he almost risked Wilder against Povetkin instead of having Wilder vacated and have him fight Charles Martin

lol becuase haymon didnt want to put him in the WBO path with pac, WBA with thurman or WBC with garcia knowing that kell prob kills himself making 147 which will be a worse cut since he already fought at 160. kell is still going to bonk the hell out him. He's been on the IBF route for a long time though. I think the Barrera fight in 2015 was an IBF eliminator, there was no serious talk of Brook moving up back then. You guys need to go to bed. I'm in the UK, maybe you need to go to bed? ;) Seriously though, I understand if you don't think it's important it's just been bugging me for some reason. Well I think Thurman will beat Garcia easily. There is not much difference facing Thurman or Brook. they are both thought ww-s. I think Brook has more variety than Thurman and does more veteran moves, which I think makes him more of an awkward opponent for an inexperienced guy like Spence. I think he's trying to fully control the welterweight division You're probably right, but I shows that he's either desperate to get unified 147 champion to build a PBC storyline or he's amazingly confident in Spence's ability considering most promoters/ managers match potential stars as easily as they can.

I think he's trying to fully control the welterweight division

You guys need to go to bed.

Well I think Thurman will beat Garcia easily. There is not much difference facing Thurman or Brook. they are both thought ww-s.