What does Kell Brook take away from Saturday at the O2 apart from a broken eye socket and the first blemish on his professional record?
Its very rare that a fighter stopped in 5 rounds is the positive talk of the crowd as they make their way home. He stepped up. He took the challenge no one wants. Even though he lost, his stock has risen in world boxing.
So what next?
Lets be honest. Everyone at 147lbs ran away from Brook previously. They’re now running even faster.
With the size Kell has put on in preparing for Golovkin, can he even make welterweight anymore? Is there a big enough fight for the casual fan to get excited about? You might say, Erroll Spence or Danny Garcia. You might say Jesse Vargas or Keith Thurman but do any of those get the normal man on the street excited? Would the bloke down the pub shell out for the PPV for any of these? No.
For me there are only 2 fights at 147lbs that are worth Kell Brook considering. He is now a PPV fighter, there’s no point in going backwards. This is a buisness so lets make a business decision.
If he stays at 147, then within the next year he has to fight either Amir Khan or Manny Pacquiao. Failing that he has to apply his trade in America and tap in to their PPV market with fighter like Danny Garcia.
So, what about 154lbs? For me the division with THE most amount of talent in the world but no real superstar (Canelo, before you argue has stepped down to this weight. It’s not his division). The Charlo’s and Erislandy Lara are phenomenal fighters but they wouldn’t sell a ticket in the UK. Therefore all eyes should be on the result of Smith vs Canelo. Brook’s target should be preferably the winner but even the loser makes sense.
This is what I think Eddie Hearn’s plan will be.
Next Spring/Summer in Sheffield, Kell Brook makes his debut at 154lbs against a top 15 ranked fighter. Austin Trout, Vanes Martirosyan, maybe even Frankie Gavin again! A confidence builder for the ‘Special One’. If we really want to wet the whistle, Miguel Cotto. Then, October, Amir Khan at Wembley.