Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:goldenears wrote:.
Btw, you didn't answer the question on the awards thread. Who would you have voted for other than Groves?
I don't follow Twitter so don't really know what's what in that regard.
However - when was the last time Brook put in a 'domestic level performance'? He smashed the last out of his depth guy, took a while to warm up against Jennings which then ended unsatisfactorily, stopped an ultra-negative Bienias in six and before then smashed Lomax, Elwell, and McIntyre. In fact, the last three names there simply prove he hasn't been putting in domestic level performances, as far as I see.
But, of course, you're right - he has to step up.
just answered the awards thread - just notice the exact age rule
I see where you're coming from on Brook, and it's symptomatic of welterweight being a relatively poor division in the UK at the moment that he has been smashing whats put in front of him, but none of it very impressive. Jennings was his first real challenge and as you say, it ended unsatisfactorily, and unless FW can provide him with a meaningful step up in opponent then a rematch for Mick is going to have much more purpose than another bum brought in to improve his unbeaten record.
Like both Mitchell and Murray, it just feels like too long treading water and at least Mitchell had a couple of wars along the wa to his (sadly unsuccessful) step up. Khan moved much faster than this, DeGale is flying, Cleverly heading in the right direction far quicker, but really needs that shot at the World Title now otherwise he faces being on the outside of the big fights in that division.
I've been frustrated by seeing Brooks' last few fights, they've told us very little and certainly not enough for him to expect a fighter in Khan's position now in this business to even have him on his radar for the next 3-5 fights.
Khan (and Paulie for that matter) have got to fight HBO approved fighters now and ones that they and their promoters/teams honestly think will continue to advance their profile.
Brook has zero profile even in the UK. A Kell Brook headline show would be York Hall at best unless he was fighting a name bigger than his own. The Mag 7 bills make sense for building a rapport between hardcore boxing fans and FW's prospects, but they really need to be in exciting fights and shine for their profile to grow enough for them to be on the wider radar. The Olympians have a publicity advantage, especially DeGale, but he's also delivered the goods in the ring and has charisma, Haye has played the game and given us explosive and exciting fights, Froch has done it the hard way and still doesn't have the recognition he deserves. Outside of that, what active British fighters really are a draw? The promoters are scared that the fighters will be poached because GoldenBoy/Top Rank etc have no scruples on that front and can probably point to several examples of the exposure they can bring to their fighters, the matches they can make and the TV deals they have in the bag
I realise i've rambled but basically I think theres a lot of bluster around Kell Brook and he needs to show us something to back it up. DeGale has done that in less than half the time/fights. Going on twitter and calling out other fighters who are either ex or current World Champions and who have mixed it at the top level is just not the way to do it IMHO. Get your promoter to make meaningful fights, do the business in the ring and make yourself an attraction. DeGale pushed FW to make the Smith fight and not another pointless tune up - he's fast tracked himself and people are taking notice - I suppose the nearest that Brook could do is to somehow persuade FW/Hatton to make the Matthew Hatton fight but can't see that happening for all sorts of reasons.
As I said before he probably needs FW to make him a fight with a US fighter with a good record on his way down, or another in a similar position to himself on the way up. Pirog taking out Danny Jacobs was an example of how to burst onto the scene by getting in with a hotly tipped prospect and taking him to pieces.
Khan is in a different league now and it's up to Kell to get into that league, not to try and embarrass his way to a shot at a fighter who has already proven his capabilities at elite level.
