Brook-Theophane?

[bennie]

According to someone on shedside, Sheffield’s Kell Brook takes on Ashley Theophane in an all-British showdown for the WBO welterweight title in London on December 11.
The unbeaten Brook earned his chance with a cuts win over Michael Jennings in five rounds in September whereas Londoner Theophane, who has campaigned quite successfully in the States in recent years, is probably overdue such an opportunity at the age of 30.
Brook, 24, showed a decent jab in the Jennings eliminator but struggled to tag his man with heavier shots, and the fight was still very much in the balance when a stray elbow caught Jennings on the right eyelid and forced the the unfortunate finish. There is still a rawness about young Kell, who has yet to do more than seven rounds as a well-matched pro, although his team will tell you that is because he hits so hard at 22-0 (15). In contrast, Theophane has rarely done less than seven rounds as a pro and went the full championship 12 earlier this year in Germany, winning a majority decision over local man Harasch Hotaki. He scored another majority decision this year over tough Domincan Delvin Rodriguez after 10 lively rounds in the States.
Theophane brings great fitness and workrate to any fight but he lacks power at 28-4-1 (7) and can be tagged, and he is probably a good opponent for Brook at this stage of Brook’s career. The world title tag, if true, is simply and regrettably symptomatic of boxing in the modern era.

[Wake up call]

Ashley has put on facebook that this is a possibilty.

[alexpaterson]

This should be a good fight but I dont think either really deserve a World Title shot, Brook's best win is against a guy who also didnt deserve a world title shot (Jennings) I think he should go through the Euro level possibly fight Ion (the guy who got robbed against Aydin) and go from there

[THEBUTCH]

This could be the opportunity Theopane has been waiting for to show Britain what we've been missing, what with him boxing overseas.

Ashley has become more battled hardened and experienced so this should be Brooks toughest test yet, but I think his power could still be what seperates them at the end of it all.

World title fight though ???? Farcical!

[Newport Daz]

This should be a good fight but I dont think either really deserve a World Title shot, Brook's best win is against a guy who also didnt deserve a world title shot (Jennings) I think he should go through the Euro level possibly fight Ion (the guy who got robbed against Aydin) and go from there

I agree, but look how Berto got his title and who he's defended against.

[alexpaterson]

This should be a good fight but I dont think either really deserve a World Title shot, Brook's best win is against a guy who also didnt deserve a world title shot (Jennings) I think he should go through the Euro level possibly fight Ion (the guy who got robbed against Aydin) and go from there

I agree, but look how Berto got his title and who he's defended against.

I suppose but I really dont think Brook is ready for World Level yet, I would probably slightly favour Ion over him

[kevo]

I suggested this match up a few weeks back so i'm happy that it's a possibility. The fact it could be for a world title though is a bit of a joke.

[dberry]

Hmmm, it's not for a world title, it's for a WBO title

[kevo]

Sorry, meant 'World' title

[Frankie Gavin]

Hmmm, it's not for a world title, it's for a WBO title

Which is a world title an a genuine world title

[dazzer]

wazza boxing organization sorry frankie could not resist that one. To be honest do not really care about world belts now just want to see good fights. The one belt i do care about is the british belt.

[crusader]

This should be a good fight but I dont think either really deserve a World Title shot, Brook's best win is against a guy who also didnt deserve a world title shot (Jennings) I think he should go through the Euro level possibly fight Ion (the guy who got robbed against Aydin) and go from there

I agree, but look how Berto got his title and who he's defended against.

Collazo is a good world class fighter, as is Quintana. Those guys are far more proven than Brook and Theophane.

[alexpaterson]

This should be a good fight but I dont think either really deserve a World Title shot, Brook's best win is against a guy who also didnt deserve a world title shot (Jennings) I think he should go through the Euro level possibly fight Ion (the guy who got robbed against Aydin) and go from there

I agree, but look how Berto got his title and who he's defended against.

Collazo is a good world class fighter, as is Quintana. Those guys are far more proven than Brook and Theophane.

But when you look how deep the division is it's strange too see 2 fighters who really haven't gone through the ellininators! Shouldn't be a world title fight but a good fight all the same

[crusader]

I agree, but look how Berto got his title and who he's defended against.

Collazo is a good world class fighter, as is Quintana. Those guys are far more proven than Brook and Theophane.

But when you look how deep the division is it's strange too see 2 fighters who really haven't gone through the ellininators! Shouldn't be a world title fight but a good fight all the same

I agree. Theophane was very lucky to win his last fight and Brook is stll largely untested. Jennings, who is Brook's best opponent to date, is Euro level at best.

I thought Brook was supposed to fight Mike Jones for the vacant title?

[alexpaterson]

Collazo is a good world class fighter, as is Quintana. Those guys are far more proven than Brook and Theophane.

But when you look how deep the division is it's strange too see 2 fighters who really haven't gone through the ellininators! Shouldn't be a world title fight but a good fight all the same

Even that should be for an eliminator as neither are tested at world level. I would like to see him in with Ion then Aydin, 2 winnable

I agree. Theophane was very lucky to win his last fight and Brook is stll largely untested. Jennings, who is Brook's best opponent to date, is Euro level at best.

I thought Brook was supposed to fight Mike Jones for the vacant title?

[alexpaterson]

Sorry that didn't mean to happen ^^, it meant to say; even then it doesn't deserve to be for a title, I would like to see Brook in with Ion then if he wins Aydin, 2 winnable fights IMO.

[dberry]

This should be a good fight but I dont think either really deserve a World Title shot, Brook's best win is against a guy who also didnt deserve a world title shot (Jennings) I think he should go through the Euro level possibly fight Ion (the guy who got robbed against Aydin) and go from there

I agree, but look how Berto got his title and who he's defended against.

Collazo is a good world class fighter, as is Quintana. Those guys are far more proven than Brook and Theophane.

This is one reason why fourth strongest WBO should not and cannot be ever considered a genuine world title.

[Rumpole]

I agree, but look how Berto got his title and who he's defended against.

Collazo is a good world class fighter, as is Quintana. Those guys are far more proven than Brook and Theophane.

This is one reason why fourth strongest WBO should not and cannot be ever considered a genuine world title.

Perhaps you should tell MANNY PACQUIAO that as he is their current champion.

[dberry]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but Manny Pacquiao is 'Ring' champion is he not?

[Rumpole]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but Manny Pacquiao is 'Ring' champion is he not?

Correct but he is also the W.B.O. "super champion" and as such he is allowed 18 months between defences. Neither Kell Brook or anyone else can fight for the title until, or unless, Manny relinquishes the title, which it is anticipated that he is likely to do some time this year, or agrees to fight Kell, or some other contender.

Given that a fight with Kell or any other contender in the W.B.O. top 10 will not generate the sort of purse money which Pacquiao would fight for, Kell will have to wait for Manny to relinquish.

It would appear that the W.B.O. have stated that Kell must face Mick Jones for the title, when it becomes available. The following quote was published on allegedly's Forum.

"It was just officially announced yesterday that undefeated top-rated welterweight contender Mike Jones will be defending his NABA and NABO belts against Jesus Soto-Karass in the TV opener on the November 13 Pacquiao-Margarito PPV telecast. However, promoter allegedly has approached promoter Bob Arum and the WBO about making a fight for the interim WBO welterweight title between the WBO #2 rated Jones and #1 rated Kell Brook in London this December instead. Brook is already talking about it. “If it’s going to be Mike Jones next, then bring him on. I’ve got no fear of anyone that Frank puts in front of me. I look at his record and his long list of knockouts and I know that it would be one hell of a fight, but I know I would come out on top.”

In the circumstances it would appear that if Kell is facing Theophane on December 11th. it will NOT be for the W.B.O. title, but a defence of his W.B.O. Intercontinental belt and that he will probably fight Mike Jones in late February or early March for the title, assuming that Manny relinquishes and moves up to light middle.

[THEBUTCH]

Brook-Theopane is a good matchup....for the British title (or EBU at a push) but not for any self respecting world title.

The thing that gets me is there are less protests about these two boxing for a "world" title than there has been for Froch-Abraham boxing for the WBC version.

[JamesH]

I'd be shocked if a fight with these two went ahead, I just cannot see it happening.

[hurlock]

sorry bennie but your assumption on theopane is far greater then what he is, you obviously aint seen much of him.