Kell Brook to face "TOP" opposition July 7th?

Eddie Earn has stated that Kell Brook will be back in sheffield on 7th July to fight against a yet to be named opponent. He did state that the opponent would be "a top name".

Who could this be and will he really be what we define as "world class"?


http://www.boxingscene.com/hearn-brook-face-top-name-on-july-7-sheffield--51073

I bet in incredible amount of money its Ortiz.

Ortiz is due to fight Berto again so my gut feeling is Mike Jones

I'll put my pound on Maidana.

In saying that, Hearn did say that Paul McCloskey would be facing a top ranked fighter for a world title after the "world title eliminator" against Prescott.

He is now fighting Julio Diaz who hasn't been ranked since 2007/08 and that was at lightweight.

He is ranked on Boxrec (not that I use it too much, I leave that to Az) as 36th in the world at Welter.

Lost 4 of his last 8.

If thats what Hearn calls a top class opponent then I fear Kell will be seriously undermatched once again. (sigh)

Although we are probably getting carried away, it will be Witter or Colin Lynes.

Oh yeah, forgot about Ortiz vs Berto 2

Hmmmm.

Mike Jones? I'd like to see that fight although Mike Jones isn't a "TOP" name.

Maidana? Alexander?

I'm going to put my pound on Manny, I always like to back a long shot

Ortiz is facing Berto in August i think so it wont be either of them. Pacquiao is facing Bradley, Mayweather is stepping up for Cotto, Peterson is fighting Khan in May at LWW.

I really dont see who would be classed as a "top class name".

Id say Mosley is a "top class NAME", but he is fighting Canelo.


Errrr Mike Jones? Is that a top class opposition?

Guarantee its either Devon Alexander or Marcos Maidana.

Decent name and live fighters, but not TOP class.


Im not so sure.

Do you any of you really think Mike Jones, Berto, Ortiz would come over to fight in a leisure centre in Sheffield over fighting in the MGM Grand Las Vegas?

It'll be an over matched fighter again, Brook needs to go stateside by the end of the year for a serious test.

I bet its the IBO champion - Chris Van Heerden.

Who the feck is that?!

hampo171 wrote:Do you any of you really think Mike Jones, Berto, Ortiz would come over to fight in a leisure centre in Sheffield over fighting in the MGM Grand Las Vegas?

It'll be an over matched fighter again, Brook needs to go stateside by the end of the year for a serious test.

The Sheffield Arena or Motorpoint Arena to give it the correct name is an arena, not a leisure centre, the clue is in the name.

Hadn't read the link Rowley, it was more of a general assumption that where ever it is it won't compare to fighting in Las Vegas.

Given how many names are tied up in the coming months in and around Light-Welterweight / Welterweight, I think the best we can realistically hope for is Maidana. Don't think guys such as Alexander and Jones would consider Brook until he has a world title to bargain with. They certainly won't come anywhere near England for the fight, in any case. And nor should they be obliged to, of course.

What's Senchenko up to at the moment? Decidedly average in world level terms based on the couple of times I've seen him, certainly beatable for Brook and offers the WBA belt, even if he did get it in fishy circumstances. I doubt Hearn will be looking at him, mind you, but it's Brook's easiest route to that bargaining tool know as a 'world' title these days.

Have a terrible feeling that it will be another 'well travelled, teak tough, never been stopped former world title challenger back in 2007' type, though. Hopefully not.

hampo171 wrote:Hadn't read the link Rowley, it was more of a general assumption that where ever it is it won't compare to fighting in Las Vegas.

Spoken as someone who has clearly never enjoyed the bright lights of the Steel City.

Zaveck?

Paulie, Madaina if he can get him. It will be someone known but manageable. He should be setting up a fight with Jones soon. Brook is on the cusp of big things, if he isn't stalled to long at this level. Hearn wants to make some cash though first, before risking him with top tests

Alexander or Maidana will never travel to Sheffield. Not a mission of it.

Maidana is moving back down to Light Welter anyhoo, I read that somewhere just after the Alexander fight. So I can't see it.

Alexander isn't gonna move from St Louis and is trying to make a name after the disgraceful way he acted at the end of the Bradley fight, sorry but our version and Eddie Hearns version of a TOP opponent are completely different.

Senchenko is fighting Pauli Malgnaggi I think soon.

Brook needs to be fighting in the US, not Sheffield.

88Chris05 wrote:

Have a terrible feeling that it will be another 'well travelled, teak tough, never been stopped former world title challenger back in 2007' type, though. Hopefully not.

Would not rule it out Chris, them drafting in a Vivian Harris type, problem is as you say pretty much all the names that spring to mind are tied up and given Brook seems to draw well in Sheffield Hearn may try to get away with another less than stellar name on the back of Brook's local support, really hope not as on the back of getting Bute over to Nottingham I was in danger of deciding to like Hearn.

Ricky Hatton?

Wasn't Ray Leonard in the UK recently...???

Union Cane wrote:Wasn't Ray Leonard in the UK recently...???

Union Cane wrote:Wasn't Ray Leonard in the UK recently...???

He is roughly the same age as "that old oak tree" N'Dou so it would sell pretty well.

Reborn-DeeMcK-Reborn wrote:

Union Cane wrote:Wasn't Ray Leonard in the UK recently...???

He is roughly the same age as "that old oak tree" N'Dou so it would sell pretty well.

Well, if you class 40 and 55 as close that is.............

A top name doesn't mean they're great as most likely it'll be a top name who has much faded.

He has to fight someone ranked in Ring's Top 10 IMO or will lose credibility.

i can't see Mike Jones risking his O oversees so maybe Zaveck who's also just recently fought and both know a win could get them a title shot.

d260005p wrote:

Reborn-DeeMcK-Reborn wrote:

Union Cane wrote:Wasn't Ray Leonard in the UK recently...???

He is roughly the same age as "that old oak tree" N'Dou so it would sell pretty well.

Well, if you class 40 and 55 as close that is.............

What do you mean!!?? 55 is the new 40 , saying that, Leonard at 55 would put up a better test than N'dou at 40

Reborn-DeeMcK-Reborn wrote:

d260005p wrote:

Reborn-DeeMcK-Reborn wrote:

Union Cane wrote:Wasn't Ray Leonard in the UK recently...???

He is roughly the same age as "that old oak tree" N'Dou so it would sell pretty well.

Well, if you class 40 and 55 as close that is.............

What do you mean!!?? 55 is the new 40 , saying that, Leonard at 55 would put up a better test than N'dou at 40

This is indeed very true! Hopefully someone like Mike Jones DOES come over to the bright lights of the steel city.

Doubt it though.

It will be some cab driver that he fights who was P4P number 1 back in 1989 or something. Lost 5 of his last 6 all by KO.

But he has a decent name so why not milk Kell Brook and rip fans off before it gets really tough.

What division is Barrera plodding around in at the moment? I wouldn't rule him out.

Such cynicism, where is the benefit of the doubt, Hearn got Bute over to Nottingham for Froch which was pretty impressive, lets wait until an announcement before we slaughter him.

What about Morales?

He has said he has one more fight in him?

I'd like to see him fight Maidana. Would be good to see how he reacts when he gets a big whack on the chin!

Jones has Bailey lined up while Aydin has Guerrero and Senchenko has Malignaggi coming up which makes a title fight impossible, only other real options are Zaveck, Alexander or Maidana.

Erik Morales could be a possibility... said he struggled at LWW limit so could well have his last fight at WW but I think he will be looking an easy win to sign off on.

Could well be the winner/or loser of Paulie and Senchenko they fight in April so could well be ready for July.


Though what about Kotelnik for an outside bet hasnt fought in nearly 2 years but has is quite well known and should be a comfortable win for Kell.

Kotelnik popped straight into my head but think he's become disillusioned somewhat after being screwed yet again against Alexander.

Very disappointing that Kotelnik seems to have packed it in. Deserved the decision against Alexander and possibly a big pay day. Always willing to fight and travel deserves more credit.

After M'Baye twice, Witter and Alexander it's understandable that he's had enough.

On another almost related point think Khan doesn't get as much credit as he deserves for his win over Kotelnik, though probably his own fault for claiming he was the weakest champion a while before. Cause could claim Khan is the only person to decisively beat him.

Its on July 7th, so there is plenty of time for most of the names in the division to be freed up again.

He mentioned Malignaggi, Maidana and Mosley by name on Ringside last week as three guys they would like to fight so maybe thats a hint. The vibe I got off Hearn, especially his comment "people have to remember Kell is still learning" makes me think its not going to be an opponent thats one of the top guys in the division just yet. My guess is they are looking at Mosley to be honest.

I can't see Mosley coming back down to WW again to be honest.

Went to LMW after Floyd and only came back down for Manny, back up again for Canelo.... truth be told I think Alvarez is gonna stop him and that will be the end of Mosley, think not being knocked out is the only thing keeping him around.

Anyone mention Judah?

I was thinking Judah too Adam but can't see him going to Sheffield or moving back up to welter for that matter. He has just won an IBF eliminator so he has his eye on the belt once Khan/Peterson II happens. Khan will give it up if he wins, if not then Judah fights Peterson

I think Mosley is just fighting wherever anyone offers him a fight these days.
I dont think it matters much to Hearn how he fares against Alvarez. Hes not expected to win so the fact they are still considering him at all would suggest to me they are just intersted in the name and not much else.

I still think Hearn wants to develop Brook as a big draw in Sheffield and will want to show they can do good numbers there in order to secure bigger fights and better negotiating positions for down the line. Certainly didnt get the impression off Hearn tht Brook was going to be in against one of the top guys next.

alma wrote:'top' opposition is a very loose term and id be very surprised if a genuine top name was prepared to come to sheffield, especially an American. Why would they, after all. Brook is still completely unknown in the states. More likely a named has been like Naz used to feast on.

Harsh on Naz I feel. At the age Brook is now Hamed was an established world champion and top ten pound for pound fighter. He was usually fighting the best his weight class had to offer.

Brook at the same age has yet to really step beyond Euro level.

Would still have to disagree regarding Hameds opponents. Never felt he was matched easy over his career. Certainly not to the extent that Brook has found himself thus far.

I think hes ready to step up and mix it with guys like Alexander, Berto, Ortiz, Maidana etc so Id like to see him in with those guys. However I think Hearns and Matchroom are looking to develop his fanbase here a bit more. I would see someone like Malignaggi as an acceptable middle man between the likes of Ortiz/Berto and Mathew Hatton. However I believe Hearn will be more concerned with what kind of opponent can do the right numbers in Sheffield rather than what kind of opponent is best suited to carry Brook forward. Probably Hearn feels, as most do, that Brook is capable of challenging the bigger names but I think he wants to make Brook a more established and financially viable prospect before then.

Berto vs Ortiz in June
Guerrero vs Aufin in July
Jones vs Bailly in June
Matthysse vs Soto in June I honk so they won't want to move up
Manny, Floyd, Peterson, Khan , Bradley also tied up

Malignaggi-Senchenko in late April? Gives the winner more than 8 weeks to prepare, and they aren't exactly going to beat 10,00 ticket sales in America (Paulie) or ukraine (Senchenko?)

Maidana won't want the fight at 147 unless he's really desperate

Jan zaveck is better than hatton and he just won a fight the other night so he can be available.

Garcia and Vargas are names at 140 but are too green and wont be risked

I would love to see him vs wale omotoso, a very live powerful puncher but he needs to further progress in his own career

Judah has shot at a title at 140 and will get a lot more money there

Its more then likely Khan.

Won't be Maidana, he just got whooped by Alexander, says he is too small for welter.

Will Alexander fight outside of Saint Louis?

Hearn is relatively popular because he is not Frank Warren. I reckon he will feed some washed up old ex contender with little ambition who Brook will bowl over in a couple of rounds.

If the "top name" is under 30 I'd be surprised.

Sooooo has the person been announced yet?

Seeing Paulie being mentioned as an almost acceptable opponent has me wondering is he really any better than Matthew Hatton, ok definitely more skillful but is he gonna present more of a test?

He had no punch power at LWW so isnt even gonna make Kell blink with his punches..... No doubt Paulie is a far bigger name and will get him invaluable recognition in America but not one I would expect him to lose anymore than I did against Hatton..... Though there could be the added bonus of a title thrown into the mix if Paulie beat Senchenko.