By William Mackay: Unbeaten welterweight contender Kell Brook (28-0, 18 KO’s) is looking to position himself for a big title shot against the winner of the IBF welterweight bout between champion Randall Bailey and Devon Alexander. Brook has to beat Hector David Saldivia (41-2, 32 KO’s) in their fight on October 20th in the IBF welterweight title eliminator bout at the Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

Brook, 26, is supposed to win this fight against Saldivia without too many problems, at least that’s the idea that his promoter Eddie Hearn has. Brook could have fought in a much bigger fight for a title against WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley on December 15th in a fight that would have put Brook in the position to get a once in a lifetime shot against Manny Pacquiao.

Instead, Brook opted for the safer route and the smaller money against Saldivia, and Brook has to win that fight just to get a crack at the Bailey-Alexander winner. In facing one of those guys, it’s not going to be huge money for Brook, but his promoter Hearn is probably thinking about the endless possibilities of Brook defending the IBF strap over and over again against the mostly weak opposition that the IBF have ranked in their top 15.

I think taking the safe route won’t end as nicely as Brook and Hearn had planned. The only way it’s a good deal to take Saldivia is if Brook can beat him and then beat Alexander or Bailey. Brook can probably defeat Saldivia because this guy is textbook case of a fighter with a lot of empty wins on his resume. However, Brook does not match-up well with Bailey or Alexander and unless he can his promoter Eddie Hearn to have the fight take place in the UK where Brook might get favorable judging if it goes to decision, I see Brook getting soundly beaten by Bailey or Alexander.