Oh snap Kell Brooks is close to signing to fight Tim Bradley

[Scipio2009]

wouldn't hold my breath ....

The IBF boss from Sheffield will agree to put up his crown alongside Bradley’s WBO belt for a huge welterweight showdown
Brook insists a venue or date has yet to be set but ‘Special K’ is open to travelling to the United States to face Bradley, who has never boxed outside of his home country.

He was equally fearless when he become a global force, unseating reigning IBF titlist Shawn Porter by majority points decision in California 15 months ago.

The 29-year-old also wants to make a name for himself in America and prove to their public that he’s a better fighter than fellow Englishman and hated rival Amir Khan.

He was talking from the Holiday Inn Queensway, as the feature attraction of an evening promoted by Darren Ashmore on Saturday night.

Tyson Fury became England’s 11th reigning world champion that very same evening, with a stunning upset to outpoint heavyweight ruler Wladimir Klitschko in Germany.

Brook was in Birmingham for the first time since he boxed at the Genting Arena in 2010, defending his British title against Michael Jennings having already won a Lonsdale belt.

He told the Express & Star: “I’ve had quite a few fights now and picked up a world title on the way. My career is on the up and up and I’m very pleased with where I am.

“I’m an undefeated world champion and I want to be out there fighting the best in the welterweight division. That’s how I’ll prove I’m the best.“When I tell people what I’m going to do, I always back it up. I think we are very close to making the Bradley fight and I’m excited.

“I need this, something will get me more recognition and that means an opponent that will get the fans really talking about me.

“I don’t mind where it is, I’d prefer it to be over here but I could get up for a trip to Las Vegas as well. It’s a Catch 22 situation. Where does he want to get beat?”

With Bradley lined up, it looks as if a planned title defence against Diego Chaves has been put on the backburner.

They were due to meet on October 24, the original date for Fury versus Klitschko. Brook hurt his rib in training, while Klitschko tore his left calf.

Brook’s withdrawal from taking on Chaves - who drew with Bradley in his last contest - prompted former WBA world champion Brandon Rios to label him ‘a coward.’

But Rios, who saw a match with Brook scrapped earlier this year, has since slipped down the pecking order after he was stopped in nine by Bradley for the WBO strap.

Brook’s promoters Matchroom are still keen on making a fight with Khan, who turned the chance of a Battle of Britain blockbuster this past May.


expressandstar.com

... simply because of Bob Arum's unwillingness to do fair-sided business.

Kell Brook's camp (Matchroom Sport) is walking into any negotiation with Sky Sports' backing from the UK, the Haymon affiliation, and genuine interest in his fighters from Showtime (they've already aired two Kell Brook fights, James Degale just had his first fight on Showtime, Callum Smith seems primed to be heading to stateside exposure in the near future, and Anthony Joshua is locked in with the company for the next 4-5 years). You add that a Brook-Khan fight is still possible, in addition to fights with the guys tied in with Haymon being a negotiation away, and Kell Brook has options to work with.

The idea can be bandied about, but the moment that Arum simply tries to dictate lopsided terms, Matchroom Sport rightfully walks away, Top Rank goes on with whatever the actual initial plan was (my guess being Bradley-Chaves II/Pacquiao-Bradley III, Ali-Vargas doubleheader), and Matchroom moves on with their business (Brook-Bizier mandatory defense to open the year, before heading into Brook-Khan for the early summer or a fight like Brook-Martinez; basically a fight that draws UK/US tv interest).

[jai mari078]

Brook beats Bradley

[.!WAR MIKEY!.]

Brooks stops Bradley, if Rios didnt go on a year long thanksgiving binge he would have iced Bradley aswell.

[Sweet Pea 50]

I think Bradley nicks it.

Make it happen.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Please get it done

[DoktorSleepless]

Haymon doesn't have Bradley or Brook...

My mistake. I get Brook confused with the other ambiguously dark skinned haymon UK fighter, Degale.

[daggum]

what about kevin bizier? is brook ducking him?

[Larry the boss]

Top Rank is suing Haymon. How exactly is that going to work?

Since when was Brook with Haymon?

[Oh_Snap]

About time both of these guys fought a top tier welterweight. Bradley has one with Pacquiao and Brook has one with Porter.

[SalimShady1212]

Bradley UD 116-112 and 115-113 X2, I predicted all the scorecards for Bradley-Vargas and I'll try again. I have always rated Bradley as the third best behing May and Pac and I still have him high on my WW list. I see him outboxing Brook. I like Kell but styles make fights. Of course I could be completely wrong.