By Scott Gilfoid: In some disappointing news, unbeaten welterweight champion Kell Brook (26-0, 18 KO’s) is reportedly in negotiations with fringe welterweight contender Matthew Hatton (42-5-2, 16 KO’s) for a fight that will take place in early 2012. If the fight comes off this will be a continuation of the disturbing trend for the for the 25-year-old Brook to be matched against soft competition rather than serious threats that can teach him something that he’ll need to know when the day comes for Brook to finally fight someone with ability.

Hatton is another backwards step for Brook, who seems to be content to face B- and C level opposition. His promoter had talked about Brook’s next fight being a big one after Brook recently defeated 2nd tier welterweight Luis Galarza by a 5th round TKO on December 17th on the Carl Froch vs. Andre Ward undercard in the United States.

But if the 30-year-old Hatton is the big fight that Brook’s promoter was speaking of then that’s very sad. What’s scary is if Brook picks up one of the titles some day when Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Manny Pacquiao retire or vacate. Will we see Brook taking the easy path like he’s done in working his way up the ranks? I hope not. I’d see Brook facing bottom 15 opposition over and over again in a the welterweight division’s version of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Hatton has faced a couple of top tier fighters during his career. He beat Yuriy Nuzhnenko, a flawed welterweight with zero power, by a 12 round decision in July 2010. And then earlier this year, Hatton was a punching bag for Saul Alvarez and just soaked up 12 rounds of nonstop punishment from the then only 20-year-old Alvarez. Some said it was a great that Hatton was able to take 12 rounds of power shots to the head. I think it was stupid beyond belief. Hatton had nothing and just took shots. Where’s the victory in that?

I really have a bad feeling about Brook and his future. I can see him someday having one of the titles fall in his lap and then we see years of bottom feeding where Brook milks the title for all he can. I really it doesn’t happen but judging by the way Brook has been matched his entire eight year pro career, I think the past will be replayed into the future.