Kell Brook +5 more British boxers who have not fought in 2019 and why

[Ruthless-RKO]

Using the Boxing Monthly rankings as a guide, we scoured the British men’s top five in the heaviest 13 of the 15 domestic divisions (as only six boxers are ranked in each of the other two) to identify the boxers therein who have not fought at all in 2019. Here are the six we found, including explanations for their absences.

Kell Brook (7 ½ months)
The super-welterweight insists he can still make welter but promoter Eddie Hearn has speculated the Sheffield man actually retire. Hearn feels Brook is only able to get motivated for a really big fight and these do no appear to be forthcoming right now. The long-awaited Amir Khan showdown seems as far away as ever for the ex-IBF welterweight king and Bob Arum recently dismissed the Brit as an opponent for WBO boss Terence Crawford.

Martin Ward (8 months)
“He’s a bit of a fighter who, being a southpaw and a bit awkward, he’s in the ‘Who-wants-him’ brigade,” revealed the Durham super-bantam and two-time British title challenger’s trainer, Neil Fannan. Martin’s brother Tommy Ward recently made waves in America and was signed by Salita Promotions, in addition to working with MTK. “We’re hoping that when they [MTK] come up to Newcastle again for Tommy, Martin will hopefully get a ride on that,” Fannan added.

Isaac Chamberlain (9 months)
Took a good win over Luke Watkins in October 2018, but the Brixton cruiser has not been seen since. “There were certain things to do with my contract,” Isaac told me. “I recently signed with Al Haymon, but I’m still battling with [ex-trainer/manager] Ted [Bami] through lawyers. I could be on an ITV pay-per-view show on September 28 with Chris Eubank Jr vs John Ryder and Adrien Broner vs Lee Selby. I’ll be in a good fight, we’re trying to get Hizni Altunkaya, who fought for a world title against Beibut Shumenov and also fought Denis Lebedev and Krzysztof Glowacki. I’ve literally just turned 25, so I can bide my time.”

Gary Corcoran (9 months)
A long break after his gruelling vacant British welterweight title defeat to Johnny Garton last year is understandable. Corcoran remains under contract with allegedly but is presently without a British license, something he would need to re-apply for should he wish to return. “Fights with Gary are always a war; great for the fans but not for the trainer given he stands people on their heads in the gym,” said Corcoran’s coach Peter Stanley. “He needed a long rest after the last one and we’ll see what he decides to do.”

Scott Quigg (9 months)
Last time we saw the former WBA super-bantam boss, he came in around super-feather for a marking-time bout. He was scheduled to fight Jayson Velez in April but two weeks prior injured his left bicep tendon in sparring had to have surgery, in Los Angeles. “He’s just gone back there last week to LA, to get his arm looked at,” Paul Speak, who works with Quigg, said. “The doctor said his arm is healing well so he has started light pad work. All being well he’ll be out in November-December. He is keeping his options open regarding weight.” Quigg’s injury may mean he missed out on a shot at IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington.

Reece Cartwright (10 months)
Only 25, the Leeds middleweight won the vacant English belt against unbeaten Tyler Denny last September. He was due to defend against Jack Cullen in March but sustained an injury then withdrew from the rescheduled May 11 to take a break from the sport due to personal reasons, giving up the belt. At the time, Cartwright’s management team posted the following on social media: “It is with great regret that we announce that Leeds middleweight Reece Cartwright will take time out from professional boxing to consider his future options with immediate effect. The British Boxing Board of Control have been informed and Reece would like to thank all his fans, sponsors, family and friends for their support and kind messages over the last five years of this amazing journey. We ask now that people please respect Reece and his family’s privacy at this emotional and sensitive time.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Kell Brook will be fighting in November or December.

Will be 11/12 months since his last fight.

He's finally back in the gym.

[keirw]

Brook needs to forget about Khan and have a run at one of the LMW champions.

He has wasted huge chunks of his career and will likely regret it in later life if he doesn't try and win another belt before retiring.

[mickey1975]

Cartwright boxes in Leeds in November.
Kell is definitely boxing again.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Brook needs to forget about Khan and have a run at one of the LMW champions.

He has wasted huge chunks of his career and will likely regret it in later life if he doesn't try and win another belt before retiring.

Khan doesn't care about Brook. Since Brook last fought, Khan has earned over £10m..

[overhand_right]

Brook needs to forget about Khan and have a run at one of the LMW champions.

He has wasted huge chunks of his career and will likely regret it in later life if he doesn't try and win another belt before retiring.

Khan doesn't care about Brook. Since Brook last fought, Khan has earned over £10m..

You would think Khan's pride would force him to fight Brook, but then again this is a man who was blasted in 54 seconds by a journeyman and never fancied rematching him.

[keirw]

The way Brook has continued to chase Khan in recent years despite the value (and likelihood) of the fight waning has been embarrassing.

Khan may one day decide to fight Brook, but only when all his other pay days dry up and Brook could be in a position of strength by then if he goes on a bit of a run and eventually picks up another world title.

But it won't happen, Brook will tread water and fight no one of note, while elsewhere brand Khan continues to make millions.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Khan doesn't care about Brook. Since Brook last fought, Khan has earned over £10m..

You would think Khan's pride would force him to fight Brook, but then again this is a man who was blasted in 54 seconds by a journeyman and never fancied rematching him.

At the time Prescott was not a journeyman was he though? Also, Khan won a world title a year later. No way was he gonna make a defence against Prescott.

I always thought Khan should have at least rematched him in the last 5 years.. But he hasnt.

[Floyd the snake]

Same topic but different levels anyone knows what's happened with journeyman Adam Jones from Doncaster who's not boxed in a year , one of the toughest out they're & never stopped in about 50 fights wouldn't have thought he would have retired ?

[littlepug]

Same topic but different levels anyone knows what's happened with journeyman Adam Jones from Doncaster who's not boxed in a year , one of the toughest out they're & never stopped in about 50 fights wouldn't have thought he would have retired ?

Think something showed up on a scan, he’s still hoping to come back

[overhand_right]

You would think Khan's pride would force him to fight Brook, but then again this is a man who was blasted in 54 seconds by a journeyman and never fancied rematching him.

At the time Prescott was not a journeyman was he though? Also, Khan won a world title a year later. No way was he gonna make a defence against Prescott.

I always thought Khan should have at least rematched him in the last 5 years.. But he hasnt.

He eked by Abril immediately prior to flattening Khan and began racking up the losses soon after. But no, not a journeyman at that time. But they certainly didn't import him expecting him to do anything other than lose.

As far as not making a defence against Prescott, that's my point. He didn't want to prove himself against the Colombian the same way he doesn't want to prove himself against Brook. He knows what would happen.

[handsofstone]

Any idea what's going on with Jamie McDonnell?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Any idea what's going on with Jamie McDonnell?

The Monster took his soul!

[Black Sam Bellamy]

Josh Leather beat Glenn Foot and disappeared.

[Ruthless-RKO]

So only Quigg had a fight scheduled in December eventually, but ended up injured..

Did anyone else fight?