Will Kell Brook become World Champion?

By JK James - 07/05/2013 - Comments

brook5By JK James: Taking Amir Khan out of the equation, Kell Brook (29-0-0,19ko’s) is Britain’s current leading light in the Welterweight division and has the potential to become a big star not just in Sheffield, but the entire country, the same way his Matchroom stalemate Carl Froch has.

After his destruction of Hector Saldivia in 3 rounds, it seemed Kell was ready to challenge the elite of his division after a incredibly successful apprenticeship. However after his fight with current IBF champion Devon Alexander (25-1-0,14ko’s) was postponed as many as three times due to injuries in both camps, his push for a world title has taken somewhat of a backward step.

Had he won that fight, it may have Brook that was being talked about as a possible opponent for his long time nemesis Amir Khan (28-3-0,19ko’s). However as it is, talk of a Brook vs Khan mega fight must be put on the back burner…for now. Here I will discuss whether Brook has the capability of eventually becoming Welterweight champion of the world.

Firstly we must not forget Kell Brook’s excellent skills in a boxing ring. He is not 29-0 for no reason. Up until this point he has already won and defended the British title 3 times, allowing him to keep the belt outright. He has picked apart Michael Jennings, former WBU champion and one time challenger for the WBO belt against Miguel Cotto.

He has defeated former world champion Lovemore Ndou and perhaps his most impressive win to date came against Mathew Hatton. A fight billed as the War of the Roses in which Brook dominated his adversary from start to finish. This was a boxer who had just gone 12 rounds with future pound for pound star, Saul Alvarez. Sine that win Brook has come through the biggest test of his career in a fight of the year contender vs Carson Jones.

Even with Brook not being at his best and Jones possibly having the fight of his life, Kell came through it, showing good hand speed early on and more importantly, the heart, determination and crucially, the chin, to get through a tough nights work.

Granted, Jones is not world level, but Brook came through a crisis with his undefeated record in tact, a feat not matched by other British fighters including, Amir Khan (Bredis Prescott), David Price (Tony Thompson) and David Haye (Carl Thompson) on there nights of peril early in their respective careers.

Brook has built a 29-0 record that some may say is slightly padded, however he has so far mixed it with fringe world level opponents and come through successfully on every occasion.

The fact that Brook is only 27 years old is a major plus in is quest for gold. Even after the year from hell in boxing terms, he still has the ability and time to make a major tilt at a world title. We also must not forget that he is still the mandatory challenger for the IBF belt. His upcoming rematch with Jones on a huge card in Hull is crucial. Brook needs to come through it looking good and completely dominate his opponent, which I think he will do with a KO win in the later rounds.

Then I understand, Eddie Hearn is planning on putting on a major show in Sheffield in September with Brook headlining. His opponent must be a big name that will prove Brook belongs at world level. Perhaps agasint a former champion like Shane Mosley, Andre Berto or the recently defeated Paulie Malignaggi. Someone like Malignaggi would help put Brook on the map in America and we could gage how good Brook actually is, as we have seen how the likes of Khan, Hatton and Broner have faired against him.

With regards to which title Brook has the best chance of capturing, at the moment I would say the WBA of IBF. Obviously the WBC is held by pound for pound number one, Floyd Mayweather, and Timothy Bradley who I am incredibly impressed by, owns the WBO belt. Neither of these fighters I could envisage Brook beating. However, as it is likely that Adrien Broner will move back down the weights, his belt will probably become vacated. Which could open the door for Brook to finally win his world title.

Kell Brook most certainly has the fan base and the ability which could manifest in him becoming a huge British star. Although I am aware he probably is not one of the top 4 or 5 welterweights in the world, if he could win his next 2 or 3 fights and pick up what will be a paper title in many readers eyes, it could lead to a huge box office worthy British showdown with Amir Khan, who by this point, could be coming of a mega fight with Floyd Mayweather. We wait in hope.



Comments are closed.