By Gav Duthie: Kell Brook has had one hell of a year and not in a good way. He has suffered two defeats and two broken orbital bones, one on each side of his face. The Gennady Golovkin loss was really gain for Brook in many ways, in notoriety, prestige and reputation. A gain of respect leading to the big fights in 147lbs.
The GGG loss Brook didn’t take so badly but the loss to Spence was tough. Spence is the same size and was simply better on the night. Many ignorant fans also accused Brook of quitting in the fight which left him low. Even some of his colleagues like Junior Witter called for him to possibly retire given the injuries he had suffered. His promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed Brook will move up to 154lbs/super welterweight.
What won’t happen
He won’t be flying into any big fights. Hearn has confirmed that we can forget Amir Khan right now, he wants the fight at 147lbs and he would like Kell to get some wins after back to back losses.
5 Possible Opponents
We have established that he won’t be involved in any super fights, but I don’t see the point in him facing any journeyman either. The fight needs to at least be relevant in the eyes of the public.
#5 Tyrone Brunson 25-6 (23) (Boxrec rank 41)
Brunson has always been a kind of novelty act until his last win. He burst on to the scene with a then record breaking 19-0 (19) with all stoppages coming in the first round. The problem was the closer he got the record the worse the opponents got. When he finally stepped up to road warrior level he was dismantled by Carson Jones in 3 rounds. He lost 4 in a row at one point including title contender Tony Harrison in 1 round. However back to back wins including his latest against former world champion Kermit Cintron in a fight of the year contender as he came back from being knocked down twice in the 4th to stop Cintron in the 5th. Boxrec has him at #41 and it would be a fun fight while it lasted.
#4 Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage 36-6 (20) (Boxrec rank 8)
44 years old is this warrior. He didn’t win his first world title (IBF) until he was 37 though defeating the talented Cory Spinks. After losing it in his 3rd defence he eventually regained it when he was 41 so age is no barrier. He was involved in a Youtube classic simultaneous double knockdown against Sechew Powell where both fighters landed at the same time in 2005. Bundrage was knocked out later in the round but defeated Powell in a rematch in 2011. He lost the IBF title to Jermell Charlo in 2015 in a brutal 3 rounds and thought to have retired but has come back in 2017 with a couple of low key wins.
#3 Sam Egginton 21-4 (13) (Boxrec rank 9)
An easy fight to make, a good opportunity for both and each promoted by Matchroom Sports. Brook doesn’t need a top opponent right now, but he doesn’t need an easy one either. Eggington always comes to fight and is not afraid to lose. He is only 24 but is hugely experienced. For Eggington’s bargain it’s a great chance for him to face a possible confidence shot and brittle Brook. Eggington suffered a huge upset in losing his European welterweight title to Mohamed Mimoune 19-2 (2). Both boxers will be fighting their next bouts at super welterweight for the first time so it’s an effective way to ease themselves in.
#2 Antonio Margarito 41-8 (27) (Boxrec rank 20)
The ‘El Tornado’ storm is starting to fizzle out. After 4 years out and now 39 years old Margarito’s comeback has been uninspiring. He has won all 3 fights against relatively decent opponents in Jorge Paez Jnr, Ramon Alvarez and Carson Jones. In his most recent bout against Jones he looked like he was going to lose but for the fight to be stopped due to a Margarito cut after an accidental head butt. When it went to the cards Margarito nicked it. The Mexican had been chasing a 3rd and final showdown with Miguel Cotto but that is not going to happen. He is still a big name and a fight with Brook could be a final opportunity. It would certainly be a good name on Brook’s record.
#1 Liam Smith 26-1-1 (14) (Boxrec rank 7)