Brook V Gavin May 30th: Hearn and Brook let Khan off the hook

By B.G.B - 04/10/2015 - Comments

SHEFFIELD-BROOK-DANN14By B.G.B: Kell Brook will be making a quick return to the ring to defend his IBF welterweight strap against the world famous Frankie Gavin. Not the announcement boxing purists were hoping for I’m sure. What makes this announcement so underwhelming is the heavy criticism rival Amir Khan has received after his own underwhelming announcement that he’ll be fighting Chris Algieri.

Kell Brook was left scratching his head at Khan’s decision and understandable so. Khan turned down a career high pay day in front of what would have likely been a record British crowd for a word title in the best division in boxing. In what world could that possibly be the right decision?

Khan turned his back on the fans and didn’t stay true to his word. His excuse? ‘I want Mayweather or Pacquiao’. Unless Khan has been sleeping under a rock for the last 3 months he probably knows Mayweather and Pacquiao are a little bit preoccupied as of right now but there a number of huge fights Khan could have taken and Chris Algieri was not on anybody’s list.

So yes, Khan has been facing the firing squad as of late but, thanks to Hearn and Brook, the trigger(s) has not been pulled. The announcement that Kell Brook, the IBF welter weight world champion, will be taking on Frankie Gavin can only been seen as a helping hand picking Khan up off the floor. By opting to fight Algieri, Brook was gifted an opportunity to surpass Khan at 147 and stamp his authority on a division that is so rich with talent. Thurman, Marquez, Bradley, Maidana, Guerrero, Rios even Broner are fights that should not only be demanded but expected of one of 3 welter weight world champions. With this decision Brook has not surpassed his rival but sunk lower. Amir Khan V Chris Algieri is a disappointing fight at best but neither man is a world champion. Brook V Gavin for a world title at welter weight is a completely different and troubling story.

Firstly, my aim here is not to completely discredit Frankie Gavin as a fighter. He has excellent boxing skills and is the only Englishman to win the amateur world championship. His only defeat came in a good fight against the underrated underachiever Leonard Bundu. So, if you are thinking Gavin is a tough opponent for Brook that’s acceptable and I wish him all the very best, but; ask yourself, would Gavin beat Thurman, Bradley, Porter, Alexander, Maidana, Guerrero, Marquez, Broner, Khan or even Algieri? I don’t think so. Brook had his tune-up and completely outclassed Jo Jo (No No) Dan 2 weeks ago and later called out one of the best fighters in the world in Marquez. A fraudulent statement given that Brook has now elected to fight Frankie Gavin. Just because a fight is easily promoted doesn’t make it a good, meaningful fight. A domestic battle for a world title may seem a visible option but it’s the boxing purists that lose out.

Amir Khan has truly been let off the hook and Hearn’s questionable decision to rush Brook to a defence to boost the May 30th card has not only offered Khan some breathing space but it’s also destroyed any opportunity Brook had of facing the winner of the most important, lucrative fight in the history of the welter weight division. Fighting a major player at 147 would have opened more than one door for Brook’s career. What is panning out now however is a path that leads only to Amir Khan. That may not be a bad thing of course but I for one believe Hearn should not allow Amir Khan to dictate the future of Kell Brook especially when Khan himself is fighting questionable opposition. Get on with your own career, step up and assert yourself on the division, not just one fighter. Brook is a hugely talented fighter that can be a real asset to this division and can be in some memorable fights with any one of the fighters mentioned above.

From a promoter’s point of view Hearn is looking out for his own interests. Brook V Gavin is a domestic clash that can be promoted to the UK public smoothly and quickly, important considering the fight is just 6 weeks away. Being the overwhelming favourite you’d be living on the edge if you put your money on Gavin in this one. Hearn’s move here is to keep Brook in the public eye, keep him winning and keep making noise to the British public putting pressure on Khan as a result. A safe tactic but Khan, as everyone single fight fan on the planet has heard at least 100 times, is aiming at a fight with the winner of Manny and Floyd. Why would he look to Brook when it’s possible he can bag the winner of May 2nd? He didn’t 2 weeks ago and he won’t in 6 weeks from now once Brook defeats an undeserving fighter in Gavin. Had Brook taken a risk, fight a proven world level fighter and stake his own claim to fight the winner of May 2nd you can bet Khan would be charging straight for Brook. Let’s put it like this; Khan fights and beats Algieri in a non-title fight that isn’t even televised by Showtime. Brook fights and beats a top welter weight player in a title defence in front of a sell out English crowd exclusive to Sky Box Office PPV. The scenario speaks for itself. A risk yes, but Brook would have made more than enough noise to guarantee a fight with Khan and maybe even force his way into a fight with the winner of Mayweather Pacquiao.

The implications of Hearn’s matchmaking can only come as a relief to Amir Khan and a huge step back for Kell Brook. All the criticism Khan has received has been swallowed up and now he’ll look to spit it straight back out. A war of petty words is what’s brewing not a rivalry between two excellent fighters that have beaten the best 147 has to offer. Brook V Gavin will backfire on Hearn and Khan will have other options available. If you were hoping to see Brook v Khan sooner rather than later, don’t bank on it. The more Hearn continues to chase Khan, the longer the chase will go on.

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