IBF receive contracts for Alexander v Brook in LA

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

Title bout confirmed for January 19

Devon Alexander’s first IBF welterweight title defence against mandatory challenger Kell Brook is now signed and sealed to take place at the Nokia Theather in Los Angeles, California.

Earlier reports this week had the fight heading to Las Vegas, but as Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told WBN on Tuesday, the world championship bout is set for the West Coast.

Alexander, 25, took the title from the hard-hitting Randall Bailey at the Barclay’s Center, New York in October and had hoped to secure a high-profile clash against one of the pound for pound stars of the division until the IBF intervened.

The St. Louis technician, who has a solitary loss to Timothy Bradley in 25 contests, has now adhered to the organisations wishes and faces the unbeaten Brook, rather than giving up his newly-acquired title.

Brook, known as ‘The Special One’ in his native Britain, has fought his way to number one position with the IBF by defeating, firstly Carson Jones in a closely-fought war and more recently stopping Hector Saldivia.

The 26 year-old and his promoter Eddie Hearn had originally wanted to hold the title chance in Brook’s hometown of Sheffield, but agreed to Alexander’s terms once assured that the fight would be held on neutral soil Stateside.

Rugged Argentinian puncher and interim WBC light-welterweight title holder Lucas Matthysee tops the undercard against an opponent to be named, which was also exclusively revealed by WBN this week.

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