By Gav Duthie: The fact that Kell Brook’s 33-0 (22) first IBF title defence against Ionut “Jo Jo” Dan Ion 34-2 (18) hasn’t sold out the modest Sheffield Motorpoint arena tells its own story. The mandatory challenger known as Jo Jo Dan could be aptly named Who Who Dan as fans on both sides of the pond question his legitimacy as the IBF #1 contender.
My feelings are different though as it is not Brook’s job to decide who his mandatory challenger is and I give him lots of respect for taking this challenge considering the recent events in Brook’s life since he won the title from Shawn Porter.
Voluntary Defence
On this site we often get involved in a UK v US debate. Normally I would steer clear of the criticism but on this occasion I have to fight Brooks corner. Their are two recent examples of champions in Shawn Porter and Anthony Dirrell who chose to fight weaker opposition than their mandatory. When Porter won the IBF title he fought Paulie Maliggnaggi instead of Kell Brook where as Anthony Dirrell has chosen to fight Badou Jack as opposed to George Groves. In the case of Maliggnaggi I can understand. Paulie was a bigger name in the sport than Brook and it was a good opportunity to add a notch to his belt to enhance his reputation. Nevertheless Brook was undoubtedly a more dangerous opponent as was later proved.
Anthony Dirrell complained about Groves as mandatory after losing twice to #2 168 lb fighter Carl Froch (#1 if you count Andre award as inactive). Fair enough but then why choose to fight Badou Jack who was knocked out by average B-Level fighter Derek Edwards.
IBF ratings (Mandatory)
1. Ionut Dan Ion
2. Not rated
3. Tim Bradley
4. Amir Khan
5. Frankie Gavin
6. Shawn Porter
7. Diego Chaves
8. Devon Alexander
9. Sadam Ali
10. Kevin Bizier
11. Antonin Decairie
12. Fredrick Lawson
13. Chris Van Heerden
14. Josesito Lopez
15. Yoshihiro Kamegai (Likely replaced by Alfonso Gomez after defeat)
Make no mistake whether its Saturday night or 6 months from now Kell Brook needs to fight Jo Jo Dan so you can’t criticize him for making the defence. Looking at the above list you could easily say that Tim Bradley, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Devon Alexander and Sadam Ali are better than Dan. You could even argue some of the others also. The point is it is not Kell Brook’s decision who the mandatory is, he just has to fight him. If you have a problem with the ratings, blame the IBF.
On Brook saying Dan deserves to be there I also agree. We know the ratings are flawed but they are what they are. Dan was already ranked #2 when he bested the previously unbeaten Kevin Bizier in an eliminator by split decision. Upon Brook beating Porter Jo Jo Dan should have been made mandatory but the IBF made the Romanian fight Kevin Bizier again in his home country Canada. Again he won by split decision. The only other contest to take place in the top ten of the IBF is Bradley-Chavez and that was scored a draw so what can you do. Dan has played ball, fought who he was asked to and deserves his shot. If the IBF asked him to beat Khan or Bradley he would have probably lost but they didn’t. They asked him to fight Bizier and he did it twice, so he deserves the reward.
I also feel that Brook will feel he owes it to his mandatory to ace him after Brook was #1 with the IBF for 2 years after missing out on a fight with Devon Alexander 3 times and needing to wait for Porter. Eddie Hearn was all ready to announce a defence against #11 Antonin Decairie but when Dan said he could make the date they gave him his shot.
Brook Injury
For this Brook deserves respect not criticism. I’m not saying this fight gets me on the edge of my seat but it was the right thing to do. Lets not forget he suffered a horrendous leg injury. His career was in jeopardy such was the severity of the vicious knife attack. It would be harsh to expect Brook to face a top competitor like Marquez or Khan in his first fight back.
Aftermath
Brook says if he gets past Dan he wants big names. He would like the winner of Mayweather-Pacquiao but I doubt that will happen. Only after this fight on Saturday will I start to judge Brook and Eddie Hearn on their choice of opponents. If we see him face the likes of Decairie or Frankie Gavin then criticize all you want but at the moment I think we have to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Prediction – Brook unanimous decision 12
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