It’s not unfair to say that yesterday’s revised RING magazine pound-for-pound list raised a few eyebrows and sparked some healthy debate across social media.
The new top ten, freshly adjusted in the wake of Floyd Mayweather’s retirement, saw the returning Andre Ward enter at #2 despite a 19 month lay-off and one routine catchweight win over an over-matched Paul Smith three months ago. It also saw dominant lineal heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko slip down 3 places to #6, sparking yet more intense debate.
Arguably the most surprising name on the list however, is IBF 147 lb champion Kell Brook, who, rightly or wrongly, entered at #10 and is currently subject to some fierce criticism over his upcoming October clash with Diego Chaves, as well as the quality [or lack, thereof] of his 2015 thus far.
The unbeaten Sheffield fighter (35-0, 24ko), whose best win remains his title winning effort against Shawn Porter 13 months ago, has gone on record to express his jubilation at the news, although many fans across social media remain baffled by his inclusion.
“It’s brilliant to be recognised as one of the top 10 fighters in the world and the number one welterweight by RING magazine,” Brook said, who has stoppage wins this year over hopelessly outgunned mandatory challenger, Jo Jo Dan, and the visibly smaller Frankie Gavin, the latter proving of late that he will unlikely ever trouble the world stage, despite his fantastic amateur career.
“I have worked tirelessly over my career to reach the top and I am now getting to where I want to be but the journey is only really beginning for me as I want to be the best in the world,” Brook continued.
The Golden Boy owned publication has Brook rated above Manny Pacquiao in it’s 147 lb listing, yet “The Special One” sits two places behind the Filipino in the P4P. Regardless, Brook believes that the void left behind by Floyd Mayweather means he can now take over the mantle of top dog in the division, and claims he wishes to go past the fabled 49-0 that Mayweather has ostensibly retired on – a record that equalled Rocky Marciano’s hallowed unbeaten ledger.
“Floyd’s last fight means that the door is now open for somebody to become boxing’s new megastar – and I want to be that man,” Brook said. “His 49-0 record is incredible and leaves a phenomenal legacy behind but I believe I can reach that pinnacle and go past it,” he added.
It’s perhaps reflective of how meaningless the numbers really can be in boxing today [48-0 Ceasar Cuenca, anyone?] when you can build an unbeaten record of Brook’s magnitude on relatively “soft” opposition and then claim to be able to surpass Mayweather’s achievements.
Love or loathe the man, he went 26-0 in world title fights alone! Brook, as it stands is 3-0 and the best name is Porter. Mayweather fought a seemingly endless list of champions, former champions and future Hall of Fame inductees too numerous to mention, regardless of if he fought some when “past it” as is often cited. It’s something of a moot point really, though puts Brook’s comments starkly, and to some –laughably – in perspective.
The talented Sheffield fighter has thus far shown a reluctance to travel back to the US, something he will HAVE to do if he is to achieve the lofty heights he speaks of. Shawn Porter is extremely keen on a rematch with him and has actually said that he will HAPPILY travel to England. Then there is WBO titlist Tim Bradley to consider, WBA (reg) champion Keith Thurman, bitter rival Amir Khan and also former 140 lb boss, Danny Garcia – possibly set to be ordered to fight Khan in a rematch, for the WBC 147 belt should Mayweather 100% retire and vacate.
Aside from countryman, Khan, [who is flatly refusing to fight Brook yet] it is going to be extremely difficult to lure these top names to the UK if promoter Eddie Hearn won’t put his hand in his pocket and spend. Like it or not, America is where the money, and ultimately the acclaim, truly is for Kell Brook.
Without even mentioning the likes of red-hot up and comer Errol Spence – tipped by many as a future divisional star – It becomes apparent very quickly that Brook, if so intent on legacy as he speaks of, needs to start proving it in the ring against the very best opposition available, rather than the other current champions [drawn and beaten] retreads [Chaves] and outgunned 2nd tier domestic opposition [Gavin].
Brook is also unlikely to get much credit for beating the awkward Argentine, who actually isn’t a push-over, such is the way promoter Eddie Hearn has promised – and failed to deliver – the big names and fights this year for the champion.
Brook then returns once more in December, most likely against more less than stellar opposition, given the frequency of his outings this year, and one can only hope he has a 2016 more befitting his potential.
Shane Mosley has been mentioned for that December date, which, whoever Brook fights, could possibly end up on the Anthony Joshua/Dillian Whyte bill in London if the card indeed heads for PPV as is being mooted.
For the sake of Brook’s reputation, and Mosley’s health -one sincerely hopes that fight doesn’t happen.
Twitter @Undilutedpoison