Kell Brook vs Diego Chavez: Brook takes swipe at Floyd Mayweather over Andre Berto fight
Friday 18 September 2015 10:09, UK
IBF world welterweight champion Kell Brook has accused Floyd Mayweather of “playing it safe” by deciding to fight Andre Berto.
Mayweather takes on his fellow American at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday and has vowed it will be the final fight of his illustrious 19-year professional career.
Unbeaten Mayweather (48-0-KO26) is the heavy favourite to claim victory in Las Vegas, with Berto (30-3-KO23) having tasted defeat three times in his last six fights.
If he does overcome Berto, Mayweather will equal former heavyweight world champion Rocky Marciano's record of 49-0 and cement himself in the boxing history books.
Brook, who is yet to suffer a loss in his 35 professional fights, and his fellow Brit Amir Khan were among the candidates touted as potential opponents for Mayweather following his unanimous points decision victory over Manny Pacquiao in May.
And the 29-year-old feels Mayweather has ducked the chance to truly test himself and settled for what he considers a "safe" fight against Berto.
"Like every top welterweight out there, I would love to share the ring with Floyd Mayweather," Brook told Sky Sports News HQ.
"There's only me with a genuine world title out there, so if I did win I would probably get the call. But Mayweather is fighting Andre Berto and he's hardly looked fantastic in his last few fights.
"He has been world champion and credit to him he's still a good fighter. But I think Mayweather has played it safe by fighting Berto in this fight.
Brook (35-0-KO24) and his representative, Eddie Hearn, had been in discussions this summer over a potential clash with WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley once it was made clear a fight with Mayweather was off the table.
However, talks over a bout with the American fell through, leaving the Brook camp free to schedule a fight with Argentine Diego Gabriel Chaves (23-2-1-KO19) on October 24 at Sheffield Arena.
Chaves, who drew with Bradley in his last fight back in December, has lost only twice in his career to date and Brook has been left in no doubt of the challenge facing him.
"He's only been beat at the highest level against Keith Thurman and he got disqualified in a fight with Brandon Rios," he added.
"He brings something new to the table. He's rough, tough and moves forward. He's been the WBA interim world champion before and he knows what it's like to be at the top.
"He brings absolutely everything when he comes to fight and I'm excited to get in the ring with him and fight."
