World Boxing News 2010-2013

youtube.com/watch Follow on Twitter  @SpecialKBrook  and  @iFILMLONDON

youtube.com/watch Follow on Twitter  @iFILMLONDON

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor World title double-header confirmed by Golden Boy Devon Alexander’s mandatory IBF welterweight title defence against Kell Brook is now set to take place at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan following the bouts postponement from the original date of January 19. Challenger Brook, 26, suffered an ankle injury in training, which meant that next month’s clash - scheduled for the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, was scrapped and could now be part of a triple-header of world title fights on February 23. A second IBF title contest on the night will take place as Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage puts his light-middleweight belt on the line against fellow-Contender Series star Ishe ‘Sugar Shay’ Smith in what will be a hometown defence for the veteran. "We'll have two world title fights, and it could turn out to be three,” stated Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer. "So if we bring three world title fights, including one with hometown champion ...

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 wit...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Great’ sees no fuss in facing Briton’s IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander has dismissed any speculation that he would have considered vacating his title to avoid a meeting with mandatory challenger Kell Brook and is ready to meet the unbeaten fighter on January 19. Alexander 25, dethroned Randall Bailey in a one-sided affair in October to immediately set-up the title defence against Brook, who ‘The Great’ plans to brush to one side as he seeks a big-money clash with Amir Khan. “The fight with Brook is definite, we just have to get a venue,” Alexander told World Boxing News. “There has been no time have I thought about vacating my belt as I worked too hard to get it - so I'm definitely going to fight for it. “As of right now, the fight is on for January 19 and all they have to do is line them up and I’ll knock them down.”   Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn had initially attempted to bring the fight the United Ki...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Welterweight fight likely for purse bids With an agreement unlikely between IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander and his mandatory challenger Kell Brook, the fight is almost certain to go to purse bids by the end of November. As American Alexander is nailed on to want a home defence of the title he claimed in New York on October 20, a contest with Brook looks to have hit a dead end as his promoter Eddie Hearn reiterates his stance to stage the bout in the UK. WBN have now been in touch with the IBF, who have confirmed that the champion has no other option but to come to an amicable outcome with Brook or face losing his title in the next four and a half months. “They (Team Alexander) have not been given a deadline. If things go as planned the two should fight within about 135 days,” Lindsey Tucker, the IBF Championships Chairman told World Boxing News. “The fight would then go to bids if the parties cannot come to an agreeme...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Great’ ponders next move after scoring another world title Newly-crowned IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander is contemplating his next fight in the wake of his comprehensive points win over Randall Bailey on Saturday night in Brooklyn. Alexander, 25, claimed his third world title at two different weights in the process, putting himself right in the mix to claim a lucrative fight against some of the top fighters in the world next year. On the same night in Sheffield though, undefeated Kell Brook made himself the mandatory challenger to Alexander’s crown and hopes to now seal a world title fight with ‘The Great’ in the US or the UK. WBN caught up with Alexander to ask him if he would be facing the IBF’s number one contender in his next bout and what he made of Brook’s impressive stoppage win over Hector Saldivia at the Motorpoint Arena. “I didn't see the fight and I barely know Kell Brooks,” Alexander told World Boxing News...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor American ready for return trip to UK Battle-hardened welterweight Carson Jones makes a second trip to Britain on December 8 on the back of his twelve-round war will Kell Brook in July and hopes a victory over former British champion Lee Purdy will lead him into a rematch with the Sheffield fighter. Jones, 26, became an instant crowd favourite with the UK fans with his no holds barred style as he and Brook waged war for the duration of their IBF title eliminator at the Motorpoint Arena and now faces Purdy for the IBF international belt in London. The Oklahoma man had been linked to a fight with Ricky Hatton in November and Jones explained to WBN that whispers he was being considered by the ‘Hitman’ for his comeback, led to his now scheduled meeting with Essex’s Purdy. “I had heard a few rumours about me fighting Hatton and was surely up for the fight,” Jones told World Boxing News. “So I called my manager to see if he had been contact...

Picture by Lawrence Lustig Kell Brook has revealed he was close to taking a fight with WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley but chose to take the mandatory route with the IBF. Brook takes on Hector Saldivia for the mandatory position for the IBF welterweight title in Betfair’s ‘This Is It’ at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on October 20 live on Sky Sports, a route the Sheffield star and his promoter Eddie Hearn decided was the right move for the 25 year old’s career. Brook came through a gut check against Carson Jones in his last outing at the Motorpoint Arena in July, and he believes the mandatory route could lead to a mega fight in 2013 against the returning Ricky Hatton. “The Bradley fight was put in front of me but I believe the mandatory position in the IBF is the right move,” said Brook, who is back in Sheffield after a two week training camp in Spain. “Eddie has worked hard to get me into this position and providing I beat Saldivia, I’ll be fighting ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Tight points decision earns IBF chance Sheffield’s Kell Brook suffered a broken nose on his way to a tight points’ victory over visiting American Carson Jones at the Motorpoint Arena tonight to improve his chances of fighting for the IBF welterweight title. The undefeated 26 year-old started well, gaining the advantage over the opening few rounds, before ‘Mr. Jones’ found his range and made what turned out to be an entertaining contest, nip and tuck right until the final bell. Despite taking Brook’s best shots in the early exchanges, Jones was undeterred and found success easy to come by from the halfway stage. A crunching uppercut in the eighth had Brook’s nose gushing with blood and Jones had much the better of the affair from then on as ‘The Special One’ struggled with the injury. Brook showed a good chin and plenty of heart though to hang on and did have his own successes as Jones piled in. At the final bell, Brook looked relieved ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor American ready to end Briton's unbeaten run Highly-ranked welterweight Carson Jones has explained to WBN his reasons for choosing a possible IBF title eliminator against Kell Brook in Sheffield, over a 140lb world title tilt against Brook’s rival Amir Khan in Las Vegas. The 25 year-old, who will travel to Sheffield in the summer to battle Brook on July 7 th at the Motorpoint Arena, has never fought at less than 145lbs and will not be attempting cut weight at short notice for any fight in the future. “There was an offer from Khan’s Team and in a perfect world, it would have been possible,” Jones clarified to World Boxing News.  “But there was no way I would make 140lbs. It’s a weight I have never ever been anywhere near and to make it in less than 2 weeks would be impossible so I said no.” The Oklahoma fighter is currently enjoying a run of eight straight stoppages since suffering his eighth career defeat to Rogerio Periera in ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor American set to accept an offer to fight in the UK on July 7 th                                                                Highly-ranked welterweight Carson Jones is set to snub an offer to face Amir Khan in Las Vegas on May 19 th at 140lbs to sign on to fight undefeated Kell Brook on July 7th at the Motorpoint Arena. The 25 year-old had been tipped to step-in to meet Khan if Lamont Peterson is ruled out following a failed drugs test, but is expected to meet Brook in the summer, with the winner in line to face Mike Jones or Randall Bailey - who meet on June 9 th for the vacant IBF Belt. Brook, 26, defeated former European champio...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Great’ on the path for title shot Top welterweight contender Devon Alexander is hopeful of landing what he calls ‘a major title fight’ in the fall, when the former unified 140lb champion returns to action on August 18 th . A contest with up and coming Briton Kell Brook had been discussed according to both sides, but with either fighter looking to keep the fight on home comforts, the bout failed to get off the ground. “A fight with Brook was talked about, but they wanted me to come to Sheffield and that’s a move that don't make sense right now for me,” Alexander told World Boxing News. “It looks like I am fighting on August 18 th in the US. My next fight should be for a major title. There are a lot of names in the picture but as of now there is nothing certain.” The 25 year-old has put himself right in the title mix with victories over Lucas Matthysse and Marcos Maidana in his previous two fights and could be in line to fight fo...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor American eyeing IBF title shot USBA welterweight champion Carson Jones is ready to take advantage of his high ranking with the IBF and has told WBN that he would be willing to fight Kell Brook in his own back yard in a final title eliminator this summer. The 25 year-old, who defends his title against Allen Conyers later this month, is then eyeing up an opportunity to face the winner of the vacant title bout between Mike Jones and Randall Bailey, which will happen on the Pacquiao v Bradley undercard. “I’m looking to fighting whoever it is I have to fight in an eliminator for the IBF welterweight title,” Jones told World Boxing News. “As of now Mike Jones is number one, Randall Bailey is two and they are fighting for the title. I’m at three and Hector Saldivia is four, but if it just so happens that Brook gets moved up to number four, I will gladly fight him here in the U.S or in England - it doesn’t matter to me, I just want the opportuni...

USBA Welterweight champion and IBF #3 rated “Kid” Carson Jones has made a career out of shattering his opponents’ dreams. The 25-year-old Oklahoman has impressive wins over knockout artist Tyrone Brunson, 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Ricardo Williams, world rated Said Ouali and title contender Michael Clark, but recognizes that there are plenty of fish to fry. Enter brash Brit Kell Brook. Like Jones, Brook is a rising star who’s rated highly by the IBF. With a dynamic personality backed by an outstanding record of 27-0 with 18 wins by knockout, the Sheffield native’s widely regarded as the second coming of Naseem Hamed. Although he continues to improve with each performance and is fresh off a dominant victory over Matthew Hatton, many would argue that Brook is yet to challenge a legitimate contender; such as Carson Jones. “Kell Brook thinks he’s more than what he is at this point,” said Jones, who has a 33-8-2 record with 23 KO’s and went from being regarded as an oppone...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘The Special One’ stakes title claim in Sheffield Unbeaten welterweight Kell Brook produced a punch-perfect display against Matthew Hatton at the Motorpoint Arena in front of a capacity crowd to set himself up for a world title shot later this year. The Yorkshireman made his ring walk to a rapturous welcome and with a 9,000 strong clan of Yorkshire fans behind him, produced his best performance to date against the brave Mancunian. Brook easily took the first four rounds without breaking sweat, bloodying Hatton’s nose and frustrating the former European champion through the middle rounds to build an unassailable lead on the scorecards. The WBA Inter-Continental champion planted some hard shots on Hatton's chin that rocked his opponent on more than one occasion leading into the second half of the fight. Hatton’s best moment in the fight was a sweet left hook that seemed to make Brook have a second thought, but the 25 year-old came back str...

Kell Brook is closing in on a World title shot after becoming the first man to stop tough Pole Rafal Jackiewicz in the sixth round of their World title eliminator clash on Saturday night at the Ponds Forge International Arena in Sheffield. The unbeaten Welterweight star promised an X-Factor performance and delivered exactly that – a punch-perfect display that sent a message out that the 25 year-old is ready to announce himself on the big stage. Brook seized the initiative from the opening bell and what followed was a display of the Sheffield star’s full repertoire, landing his jab at will from the off then targeting the Pole’s body as he looked to cover up against the speedy barrage. The writing was on the wall in the fifth round as Brook stepped on the gas as Jackiewicz struggled with Brook’s pace, accuracy and consistency. The halfway point in the fight proved to be the end of the road for Jackiewicz in front of the sold-out Ponds Forge International Arena when referee Ho...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Special K’ expecting tough test next month World-rated welterweight Kell Brook (24-0, 16 KO’s) knows he will have a tough task to gain a world title shot when the unbeaten former Lonsdale Belt holder faces Rafal Jackiewicz (38-9-1, 19 KO’s) on October 8 th at the Ponds Forge Arena in Sheffield in a WBA title eliminator. The 25 year-old is on the back of a career best performance against former world champion Lovemore N’dou in June and is just one step away from potentially challenging champion Vyacheslav Senchenko. The Yorkshire fighter has respect for the Pole’s fight record and despite ‘Braveheart’ heading towards his mid-thirties, knows he faces a world level operator next month. “Jackiewicz has become better with age like an old wine,” Brook told World Boxing News. “He has beaten (former world champion) Jan Zaveck and that shows he is a world-class fighter. “He is also rated at #6 in The Ring Magazine rankings so has to be...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor 147lb rivals on verge of confirming fight dates After lining up a meeting with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn today, undefeated welterweight Kell Brook is on the verge of confirming his opponent for a scheduled October 8th bout in his home city of Sheffield. The 25 year-old packed out the Hillsborough Leisure Centre in June as he dominated former world champion Lovemore Ndou in a twelve round points win in his last bout and ‘Special K’ could now just be one fight away from a world title shot. Another former world champion Paulie Malignaggi has long been linked with a bout against the Yorkshireman, but confirmed this week that he won’t be facing Brook or rival Devon Alexander in his next bout, which he hopes to announce in the next seven days.

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Sheffield fighter unaware of 120 day rule Former British welterweight champion Kell Brook has had his WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title taken away from him after failing to defend the belt within 120 days. The 24 year-old’s last defence was a two-round blow out of Ghanaian Philip Kotey on December 11th, which takes him 20 days past the allotted limit. The undefeated Yorkshireman was set to defend his title against former world champion Lovemore N’dou in his home city in late June, but may have to settle for a non-title bout unless new promoter’s Matchroom Sport can secure him a crack at another fringe world title. Brook has racked up 23 successive wins since turning pro in 2004 and is currently number one contender to Manny Pacquaio’s WBO 147lb title. N’dou, 39, is seen as the ideal stepping stone for Brook, who is pencilled in for a full world title shot within twelve months. "I didn't know anything about this 120 day rule and nobody I ...