KELL BROOK TO FACE BRANDON ?BAM BAM? RIOS IN LONDON
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 26 Jun 2015
With chances of a hoped-for dream fight with undefeated pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr looking unlikely, Kell Brook looks set to defend his IBF welterweight title against Brandon Rios in London this autumn.
Sky Sports reported that Brook had been hoping to share a ring with the WBC, WBA and WBO champion in his planned farewell fight in Las Vegas on September 12 after he extended his unbeaten record to 35 straight wins, 24 by knockout, after stopping Frankie Gavin in six rounds in the second defense of his title last month.
Brook says he'll be ready to fight by September despite putting on some obvious weight.
However, neither Brook nor domestic rival Amir Khan were in Mayweather?s thoughts when he named Andre Berto and Karim Mayfield as possible opponents for his 49th fight.
Berto, who holds the WBA ?regular? title, has lost three of his past six fights while fellow American Mayfield was beaten twice last year and has never fought for a world title.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has said ?we are going for Kell?s next defense to be held at the O2 Arena on another huge show and its looking like it will be against Brandon Rios.
Hearn told ESPN: "We would love to make the Mayweather fight for Kell on September 12 and we are in the hat because Kell's world champion and if Mayweather wants to become undisputed champion with all the belts he has to take that fight but he added, "I don't think we will get it and others have been mentioned. Kell Brook is more creditable than the names that have been mentioned and like I said Mayweather could have the chance of unifying the division, but I don't think it will happen.?
The 29 year old Rios has a record of 33-2-1 with 24 knockouts. One of those losses was a sound beating at the hands of eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao when the Filipino southpaw returned to the ring in Macau after suffering a crushing 6th round knockout to Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez.
Rios? other defeat was a unanimous decision loss to Mike ?Mile High? Alvardo in a rematch at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino after Rios stopped Alvarado in the 7th round of their first meeting at what is now known as the StubHub Center in Carson City, California.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boston's Wildcard Bid Hangs in Balance
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 30 Nov 2024AUSTRALIAN HEAVYWEIGHT TALENT TEREMOANA INKS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Sat, 30 Nov 2024Hard work, dedication result in victory says Casaljay
Sat, 30 Nov 2024Bautista, Sampaga dispute PBF crown
Sat, 30 Nov 2024The Year Ends With a BANG
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 30 Nov 2024Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai: Birmingham Barnburner
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 30 Nov 2024Experience gain from competition - Lim
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 30 Nov 2024Victory for Swedish Boxer Genti Morina in Professional Debut – A Dominant Performance in Copenhagen
Sat, 30 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 287: RYAN GARCIA FACES RUKIYA ANPO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE BUT NO GO SIGNAL FROM GOLDEN BOY YET
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 29 Nov 2024Gaballo to fight again on Dec. 18 in Bula
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 202432nd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships: Team Philippines wraps up successful campaign with 2 golds and 1 bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 29 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 29 Nov 2024Some boxers have no golds at stake
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 2024YAFAI: I'VE GOT MORE CHANCE OF KNOCKING HIM OUT
Fri, 29 Nov 2024