Thursday 9 March 2017 12:11, UK
Kell Brook will stay on course for a potential unification clash with Keith Thurman if he defends IBF title against Errol Spence Jr, says American promoter Lou DiBella.
'The Special One' will face mandatory challenger Spence Jr in either late May or early June this year, with Sheffield United's Bramall Lane the favoured venue for their world title fight.
Thurman now holds the WBC and WBA titles after last Saturday's points win over Danny Garcia and DiBella, who works closely with 'One Time', believes Brook is part of a welterweight tournament to establish the No 1 fighter in the division.
"Keith is the kind of guy who will fight the biggest and best fight that is put in front of him," said DiBella. "He's not a guy that walks away from anything. Let Kell and Errol fight first and then see what happens.
"I think right now the best fights are being made in the welterweight division. The best are fighting the best. You have obviously Brook and Spence. You have [Andre] Berto fighting [Shawn] Porter.
I would guess that by the end of 2017, or early 2018, that one guy is going to emerge as the man.
"There are a lot of good fights being made at welterweight and I think there is going to continue to be a process of elimination. I would guess that by the end of 2017, or early 2018, that one guy is going to emerge as the man."
Thurman has already set his sights on the Brook-Spence Jr winner as he wants to add the IBF belt to his collection.
Speaking after his split decision win over Garcia, he said: "Do I wanna see three world titles strapped around any one of the welterweights in the welterweight division? Yes, I do.
"Why? Because Keith 'One Time' Thurman is not just a boxer, but a boxing fan."
Spence Jr carries a 21-fight unbeaten record into his battle with Brook, whose sole defeat came against middleweight king Gennady Golovkin, and DiBella finds it hard to favour either man.
"It's a very tough fight. I think Spence Jr is a tremendous talent, he's a tremendous young fighter. Maybe one of the better young fighters I have seen in a long time," said DiBella.
"Kell Brook is an excellent fighter and it's a very tough fight. Spence has never fought anyone as good as Brook.
"It's also going to be interesting to see how Brook adjusts to going back down to 147[lbs].
"In England, I'm going to guess that Kell is the favourite, but I wouldn't bet against Spence. To be honest, I think it's a very hard fight to call."
