Eddie Hearn confirms Kell Brook light-middleweight Move

[Ruthless-RKO]

Kell Brook will be aiming to become a two-weight world champion in the coming year after ditching any attempts to make it back down to welterweight.
'The Special One' saw his reign as 147 pound title-holder come to an end in 2017 when Errol Spence flew across the Atlantic to take his coveted IBF strap.

After contemplating one more contest at the lower limit against Amir Khan, the collapse of any real talks meant Brook had no other place to go than north.

According to promoter Eddie Hearn, a debut at 154 is now on the cards for Brook, who is looking to return to action in the first half of 2018.

Brook is almost ready for a full camp having been in and around the gym in recent weeks, with an assault on the super-welterweight rankings imminent.

Current rulers at the weight include Erislandy Lara, Jermell Charlo and Jarrett Hurd, all of whom have a fearsome reputation.

Avoiding any big punchers, like Charlo or Hurd, could be the other of the day, whilst WBA 'regular' champion Brian Castano could potentially be a target.

There's also the winner of a future vacant WBO title bout between Liam Smith and number one ranked Magomed Kurbonov in 2018, lifting the possibility of an all-UK championship bout in the summer.

All would depend on Hearn and promotional rival allegedly coming to an agreement in the coming months once Brook shakes off the ring rust and Smith regains his old belt.

[Ruthless-RKO]

If he fights any of the current world champions (minus regular/interim), I think he loses.

The WBO would be a good route to take.. But he's up for a challenge, so good luck to him.

[Stuarty]

Can't see Brook making any noise at 154 tbh. He'll lose again and retire in the next year....

[Manchester Hitman]

Pls keep him well away from Hurd, Charlo and Lubin - those fights will not end well for Kell.

[Boxing Prospect]

Pls keep him well away from Hurd, Charlo and Lubin - those fights will not end well for Kell.

Hurd can be out boxed, big tough lump but slow and defensively flawed...Brook shouldn't fear him
Charlo I'm really unsold on, I'm in the minority but his reputation is built on fringe contenders at best (Martirosyan, Rosado, Jackson) or untested guys
Lubin is someone Hearn should throw Brook in with, hilariously over hyped American who was anointed a star of the future far too early.

Lara is the only guy I'd keep Brook away from personally...low reward and a high risk

[bigjack]

Can't see Brook making any noise at 154 tbh. He'll lose again and retire in the next year....

Same here Stuarty,i think his days are over in the elite level.

[KiwiRider]

If he fights any of the current world champions (minus regular/interim), I think he loses.

The WBO would be a good route to take.. But he's up for a challenge, so good luck to him.

It's a tough class to get a title in.
Charlo might be OK, he hasn't faced as skilled a boxer as Kel yet IMO, but he can hit hard. As long as Kel maintains his speed, and hopefully the ease in making weight gives him more stamina, he will do OK at near the top.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Pls keep him well away from Hurd, Charlo and Lubin - those fights will not end well for Kell.

Then, he may as well retire now. lol

I think... Just me.. Brook should try winning the British and European light middleweight titles..

[BitPlayer]

He should fight Liam Smith

[Oiky]

Doubt Brook will make a dent in 154 tbh but fairplay to him for having a pop

[keirw]

Pls keep him well away from Hurd, Charlo and Lubin - those fights will not end well for Kell.

Hurd can be out boxed, big tough lump but slow and defensively flawed...Brook shouldn't fear him
Charlo I'm really unsold on, I'm in the minority but his reputation is built on fringe contenders at best (Martirosyan, Rosado, Jackson) or untested guys
Lubin is someone Hearn should throw Brook in with, hilariously over hyped American who was anointed a star of the future far too early.

Lara is the only guy I'd keep Brook away from personally...low reward and a high risk

I agree,
Lara would be an ugly fight, win or lose.
The other three you mentioned are all tough fights, but potentially winnable.

[CaptainSpacerod]

I see Kell labouring to put away a fringe world level guy in his comeback fight and him and his team realizing that there are too many top quality naturally bigger guys at 154 for kell to win a belt and earn big bucks via a unification fight and so thoughts will turn to the inevitable pension fight with khan probably at a catchweight.

[Ricky_]

Pls keep him well away from Hurd, Charlo and Lubin - those fights will not end well for Kell.

Hurd can be out boxed, big tough lump but slow and defensively flawed...Brook shouldn't fear him
Charlo I'm really unsold on, I'm in the minority but his reputation is built on fringe contenders at best (Martirosyan, Rosado, Jackson) or untested guys
Lubin is someone Hearn should throw Brook in with, hilariously over hyped American who was anointed a star of the future far too early.

Lara is the only guy I'd keep Brook away from personally...low reward and a high risk

I'm with you - Brook is being underestimated and the likes of Charlo overestimated. I doubt Brook beats Lara as the kind of tactics Lara employs make him a nightmare for anyone (i reckon Lara could have outpointed Mayweather). Against Charlo or Hurd - I've not seen enough from either to make me believe they are technically better than Brook. The biggest question mark over Brook is his injuries.

I also expect Brook to be fitter at 154, he's too big for 10 & half stone.

[craigjenkins05]

Just saw an IFLTV interview where they said Brook may have one at 154 and then back to 147 to make it easier on the weight with his time out

[smiling assassin]

Just saw an IFLTV interview where they said Brook may have one at 154 and then back to 147 to make it easier on the weight with his time out

Yeah I seen that to. By the looks of him I think he will never see 147 again

[Bigdogsnose]

he was also talking about a WBSS at 147 and how he would be interested in that.

I still hope he gets the khan fight. I know its a cash out fight, I know khan definitely doesn't deserve it but it would seem stupid for them not to have fought each other.

[horndawg80]

Eddie will give him some tomato can

[PredatorHayds]

Hopefully he makes the move to 154 permanent. The huge weight cuts are becoming detrimental now.

Promoters hat on. The biggest money fight for him at 154 is Smith. I see them looking to get that fight made late 2018 if they can bridge the promotional divide. If not then Brook is heading stateside for his big fights again.

[Oiky]

I think they will make Brook-smith

[fightfan95]

I think Brook could do something at 154 - maybe that is because I'm a big fan of Kell.

Brook v Smith would be good for next year.

Brook could easily outbox Hurd imo - just would have to be careful and not and try and have a brawl with him, as he likes doing sometimes.

The Cotto fight wouid've been fun.

I'm not completely convinced with Charlo, but I would have Kell as an underdog in it.

We all want to see Kell KO Khan

[Crease]

Can't see Brook making any noise at 154 tbh. He'll lose again and retire in the next year....

Those eye sockets of his won't thank him for entering a bigger weight class.

It is a valid question - but is Kell now damaged goods?

[Stuarty]

Can't see Brook making any noise at 154 tbh. He'll lose again and retire in the next year....

Those eye sockets of his won't thank him for entering a bigger weight class.

It is a valid question - but is Kell now damaged goods?

Yeah I think so mate. I'm a fan of his but he stalled his progress by fighting no marks for too long. He should've achieved more than what he has. He should try again for the Khan fight if at all possible then wrap it. The top guys at 154 will have too much for him IMO.

[ElJefe]

Hopefully having less weight to cut means he can fight a bit more regularly. I know he's had injuries which have kept him out as well but by his own admission he likes a bit of food and drink after a fight so it must be tough to drain yourself down to 147 more than twice a year.

Looks like Liam Smith will get a shot at the vacant WBO belt next year, if he wins that Kell should probably have a crack at him. If he wins, he can think about the top names, if he doesn't it's probably time to pack it in. Talent wise I think Brook is right up there, as Crease said though he might be damaged goods at this point.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Can't see Brook making any noise at 154 tbh. He'll lose again and retire in the next year....

Those eye sockets of his won't thank him for entering a bigger weight class.

It is a valid question - but is Kell now damaged goods?

Yeah I think so mate. I'm a fan of his but he stalled his progress by fighting no marks for too long. He should've achieved more than what he has. He should try again for the Khan fight if at all possible then wrap it. The top guys at 154 will have too much for him IMO.

The eye that was damaged vs. GGG held up vs. Spence, now that he has had the surgery on both eyes. who knows.

[craigjenkins05]

I think kell is being very underrated he is a very good boxer and strong enough for lightmiddle his two losses have been very freak unlikely accidents and I'm not a doctor it apparently once fixed they are strong than before so who knows