By Scott Gilfoid: The International Boxing Federation has really tossed undefeated Kell Brook (28-0, 18 KO’s) a bone by making the unknown, untested and VERY average looking Hector Saldivia (41-2, 32 KO’s) the #3 IBF contender at welterweight, which is making it easy for Brook to get an easy title shot by beating Saldivia tonight in their IBF 147 lb eliminator bout at the Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The winner of this fight will fight the Randall Bailey vs. Devon Alexander winner.

This is hometown advantage for Brook, who seems to fight nowhere else for some reason. It probably wouldn’t matter, though, because Saldivia is someone that Brook could probably beat on the moon in zero oxygen if needed. It’s incredibly confusing why the IBF made Saldivia the #3 contender at welterweight because he doesn’t look better than guys that he’s ranked ahead of, such as Devon Alexander, Jan Zaveck, Carson Jones or Mike Jones. Heck, he doesn’t even look as good as Matthew Hatton, and that kind of tells you how off this ranking is for Saldivia.

Brook said to Boxrec.om “It’s massive knowing that I have a fight with Randall Bailey or Devon Alexander lined up after I’ve dealt with Saldivia. I want to entertain fans like Mike Tyson did…get the title shot and become IBF world champion and join that elite group of fighters.”

A win over Saldivia will hardly make Brook an elite fighter. What’ll make him is a fighter that has lucked out with a soft opponent for his IBF eliminator. But this is going to be the end of the line for Brook, because he won’t win against either Alexander or Bailey. Those guys will both handle Brook no problem, and I can see them even beating him badly in the UK if it came to that. Don’t be surprised if that’s exactly what happens.

Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn will likely be trying with all his might to get Brook to fight for the IBF title at the Motorpoint Arena. That’s where Brook just finished beating Carson Jones by a controversial decision last July in a fight where Brook looked like he lost the fight. However, Alexander and Bailey are a level above Carson Jones, so I can’t see Brook getting another controversial decision even if he fights at home.