Khan vs Brook - Who's to blame? Brook
- britishboxingblog
- Jan 28, 2016
- 3 min read
While one could argue too much has been said already, we haven’t really mentioned the elephant in the room. Kell Brook vs Amir Khan apparently still isn’t any closer to actually happening. It feels like both parties have been “in talks” for years and it recently looked to be productive until a public outpouring of blame and insults erupted at the weekend. For what it’s worth, the reported 60/40 split in favour of Khan seems fair and should be enough to get the deal made. Whether it is or not is another matter entirely.
Before we go any further, it is important to put aside any fighter preferences to one side, hence the necessity of breaking this opinion piece into two separate articles. I personally feel Brook would win if the two ever did meet but this does not enter into my frustration on it not happening. From an entirely neutral standpoint, it appears to me that both sides have to shoulder some blame for the contest not happening, however it does appear that one side wants it to happen more than the other.
Kell Brook ahead of his upcoming defence against Canadian Kevin Bizier
Why is this Brook’s fault?
“He only fights bums!” is the default response of Khan’s Army and while this is dismissive of some fantastic professional boxers, Kell Brook’s record is not what you would expect of a world champion in a highly competitive welterweight division. There are valid reasons for this however. None more so than his recent injury record. The thrice cancelled challenge to Khan victim Devon Alexander still rankles with a lot of boxing fans and there is also a sizeable proportion who continue to query the horrific knife attack he suffered. The legitimacy of the injury is without doubt but the mysterious circumstances surrounding it have led to his professionalism being called into question.
Even when he has been fit, his career has hardly been the smoothest journey to the top. Partly due to a change in promoter, “The Special One” has been involved in no less than seven intercontinental title bouts or world title eliminators. This hardly screams of a man who was ready to be fast-tracked to the top. Eddie Hearn is notorious for guiding his charges through mandatory routes, especially the IBF, and the plan for Brook was clear. However, now he has eventually navigated his way to the top the result has been underwhelming to say the least. Following his victory over Porter, a new era for the welterweight division was supposed to be on its way. Mayweather and Pacquiao were winding down, the division is packed full of talent yet so far his reign has been underwhelming to say the least. We were promised Marquez, Thurman, Bradley. We got Jo-Jo Dan, Frankie Gavin and a Diego Chaves cancellation. The latest opponent is a man who has lost twice to the aforementioned Dan. Yes, these are mandatory challengers enforced by the IBF, however it always seems like Brook will get the next one out of the way then a big name will follow.
Brook vs Khan makes huge sense in the UK but Amir Khan could potentially have bigger fish to fry. While not as appetising to the home fans, there isn’t a boxing fan out there who could begrudge him trying to avenge his most recent loss. Danny Garcia is now the WBC champion, to whom Khan is coincidentally mandatory challenger. Internationally this is a bigger fight due to Garcia’s name in the States, and while it’s not what UK fans want to hear, Khan obviously sees himself based in America rather than at home. The father and trainer, Angel Garcia, appeared to quash this potential matchup but Team Garcia may not have a choice in it.
Brook on the other hand has only faced one genuinely world class opponent. His record doesn’t come close to matching that of his rival. He is making a name for himself as Showtime continue to broadcast his shows to American audiences but is this enough? As an advocate of working his fighters up the rankings, Hearn is now on the other side and it is damaging the progress of a potentially great career. His desire to face his long-time rival is understandable but it shouldn't deter him from seeking other big match-ups. There is of course not evidence this what he is doing but the longer he goes without meeting a top class foe, the more pressure and criticism will surround him.
There are two sides to every story. Read the other one here.
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