Kell Brook wants big names and big fights, so who can he take on next?
Monday 12 September 2016 10:26, UK
Kell Brook has said he wants the biggest names and the biggest tests so after looking good even in defeat we wonder who is next on his radar?
Amir Khan
A fight between these two has been bubbling up since the days of their welterweight rivalry. Things have moved on but they are closer than ever on the back of Brook's Gennady Golovkin classic.
Brook moved up two weight divisions to take on a world superstar; Khan did the same to take on a living Mexican legend, Saul Alvarez. Brook looked sensational until it all unravelled in a ferocious fifth round; Amir was out-boxing Canelo until one fateful right in the sixth ended his dream. It is more than uncanny.
Yes that was Khan's first fight at middleweight and unless you missed it, this was Brook's first fight beyond the welterweight boundaries too, so surely the common ground of 154lbs can be the neutral territory for the fight that not just boxing fans, but many British sports fans, want to happen?
Errol Spence Jr
Eddie Hearn has suggested that Brook might have to defend his IBF welterweight strap, which in a world of rumours and guessing games, brings 'The Truth' in to play. Spence is the mandatory at 147lbs and as quiet and softly spoken as he is, the American has told the world he wants Brook's belt.
The IBF are kind to most of their men who take a step up and although Brook has made three defences since taking it away from Shawn Porter two years ago, another mandatory will loom if he does decide to stick at welterweight.
Spence Jr is young, fresh and has speed and slickness to boot, but the 'Special One' now has the sort of experience that will stand him in more than good stead. Yes, the 30-year-old has said he will never go back down to welter but a world title can be a handy tool when it comes to making the biggest fights.
Saul Alvarez... or Liam Smith
No matter who wins their showdown next Saturday, the timing is perfect - eye injury aside. Of course Canelo is the favourite as he faces a Brit for the fourth time, so probably wouldn't have a problem taking Brook on next.
Well, unless he looks back and recalls that Matthew Hatton took him 12 rounds and Brook matched the Mexican there. Add to that Ryan Rhodes took him into the final round and is his best Wincobank buddy, bringing inside knowledge into the legendary Sheffield gym's gameplan if it does happen.
As for Smith, the all-British showdowns are what we all want to see. Of course, the respective promoters doing a deal might be a long shot, but Beefy is a young, hungry, super-welterweight who doesn't live across the pond. Timing and territory could both tee this up.
Chris Eubank Jr
The controversial middleweight has to defend his British title against Tommy Langford next month but maybe he wants to level the score with Brook. Whatever you've heard and whatever you think happened, the simple fact is Brook beat Eubank Jr to the high-profile fight with Triple G.
The father and son aren't afraid and don't like losing so maybe a fight with the Special One will show Golovkin and his team that he is a British deal that is even more real. Add to that the all-British factor and their social fury, then there is plenty to ponder.
Eubank Jr is of course a bonafide middleweight but Brook didn't look out of his depth at 160lbs either and was just sunk by sheer power. There's little chance of the former dropping down to super-welter, but if the latest Twitter entry has anything to do with it, Brook might just go after his new social nemesis anyway.
Demetrius Andrade
Brook has always maintained he wants big fights against big names and in the shape of Andrade, he would also add big problems to the equation. The former WBO super-welterweight champion is a 6ft 1in southpaw but if there's one thing that brings the very best out of Brook, it is a challenge.
Andrade is back in the game but perhaps due to his awkward slickness and searing power, 'Boo Boo' may simply scare potential opponents away. For the purists, taking on Brook would be a dream and given Brook's stature after Saturday's O2 fight, it would be far from a nightmare.
He is without a strap so wants the current WBA holder Erisla Lara or the WBC boss Jemell Charlo but of Brook surely wants to become a two-weight world champion. Maybe 'Boo Boo' can help?
