THERE can be little doubt that IBF welterweight champion, Kell Brook, 35-0 (24), is one of the most talented fighters in the country. Yet 18 months on from his career-best, title-winning effort over Shawn Porter in Carson, California, “The Special One” needs to impress. Injury, as well as two unremarkable defences of his title, have put the brakes on his progress and having now also missed out on a blockbuster showdown with bitter rival, Amir Khan in the summer, Brook is looking for a new, big name opponent, should he overcome Kevin Bizier on March 26 as expected. Olly Campbell considers five options.
5. Danny Garcia, 32-0 (18)
The new WBC welterweight champion only moved up to the division from 140lbs (where he also held WBC and WBA honours) in August of last year, and possesses one of the best left hooks in the business, as well as one of the most brash and vocal of trainers in his father, Angel. A former conqueror of Brook nemesis Amir Khan, a victory over Garcia would do wonders for Brook’s reputation and ultimate quest for a fight with his fellow Brit, although the Al Haymon advised Philadelphian has stated more than once in the past that he doesn’t like the idea of boxing in the UK, so if it was a fight that could be made, Kell may well have to hop on a plane to the States once again and travel.
4. Errol Spence Jr, 19-0 (16)
The red-hot Texan star is currently rated at #2 with the IBF and was arguably the standout member of a US boxing team that failed to medal at London 2012. Extremely dangerous with both hands, expert at cutting off the ring and a noted student of the game, Spence notched four stoppage victories in 2015, including big wins over Chris Van Heerden and last November’s impressive fifth round destruction of Alejandro Barrera. Like Brook, a big and strong 147lbs fighter, the “Truth” has been extremely vocal in saying he only wants the big fights from now on, and by that, he means world title opportunities.
3. Timothy Bradley, 33-1-1 (13)
For reasons best known by Top Rank CEO, Bob Arum, the WBO welterweight champion has a third date with Manny Pacquiao to squeeze past in April for the Filipino superstar’s career swansong. Regardless of the outcome, a fight with Brook holds appeal, especially if Bradley loses the title and can be tempted back to British shores. Now trained by the esteemed Teddy Atlas, Bradley previously made a 2008 appearance in the UK when he beat another Sheffield-based, Ingle-trained fighter in Junior Witter. Slick and skillful, although lacking a concussive punch, the 32 year-old “Desert Storm” has far more miles on the clock than Brook thanks to some high profile wars, and one suspects that if he abandoned caution and sought to slug it out with the IBF boss, as he so often does, only one, clear winner would emerge from the contest.
2. Keith Thurman, 26-0 (22)
A fan favourite for many in the UK, the personable ‘One Time’ holds the WBA welterweight title and brings a concussive punch which, some believe, has been diminishing slightly over recent times. Last year’s bout with veteran New York southpaw, Luis Collazo, showed that the Floridian can indeed be hurt, although he weathered the crisis and came back to retire his man after seven rounds. Extremely dangerous with the uppercut and left hook, especially on the inside, Thurman would make for an intriguing clash with Brook, who is arguably lacking up close. His highly entertaining 2013 knockout of Diego Chaves, in which he again evidenced his knack for sniffing blood in the water, gives you an idea of the spite the Dan Birmingham trained man is capable of when seeking the finish.
1. Miguel Cotto, 40-5 (33)
With bitter rival Khan shooting for the moon with his Canelo Alvarez clash, there’s no doubting that the Kell Brook resume needs a name of equal status, and with both the retired Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao firmly in the rearview mirror as far as the divisional picture goes, who bigger than the Freddie Roach trained Puerto Rican, who also happens to be the only one of his countrymen to win world titles across four weight classes? A guaranteed box office draw on either side of the Atlantic, the RocNation promoted Cotto was last seen losing his WBC middleweight title to Alvarez last November. Now 35, and a physically smaller man than Brook, Cotto still brings an abundance of heart, ring smarts and experience to a fight “The Special One” would perhaps be securing at just the right time, could it be made.
