The much talked about bout involving Kell Brook and Brandon Rios may not happen at all with word that talks between both camps have now stalled.
There were reportedly a number of reasons that both camps are unable to settle, one of which is a rematch clause that the Brook wants in the event that he loses to Rios.
As far as the camp of Rios is concerned, a win by the American boxer would line him up against a possible rematch with Manny Pacquiao next year which translates to big money. But all that may fail to materialize if a rematch clause is present since it would mean that he must face Brook a second time.
The time element is of course in play in that situation. If a Brook vs. Rios II happens, the American fighter’s chances of facing Pacquiao could be dampened especially if the Filipino boxer-lawmaker suffers yet another loss.
With those issues up in the air, Brook will likely reveal his plans on his next title defence. And this will likely include the Rios issue which may likely be shelved as both camps fail to come to terms.
With Rios out of the picture, Brook could be targeting Keith Thurman instead and that could materialize by October. If that does happen, it will be a unification bout between two rising fighters that may eventually happen anyway. Could it come this October?
Thurman is coming of a not-so impressive win over Luis Collazo last weekend while Brook is coming off a sixth round stoppage of Frank Gavin last May.
Apparently, Brook was one of the many interested spectators watching the Thurman vs. Collazo fight and now he the British boxer wants to face ‘One Time’.
“After the Thurman fight, he [Brook] rang me and said ‘let’s get Thurman.’ And I know Thurman won’t travel but if we have to travel for that fight, that’s a fight Kell Brook will take and a fight Kell Brook will win,” says manager Eddie Hearn via boxingnews24.com
The thought of two fighters who have quite a following in the U.S. and the UK could turn out to be another box office billing despite the fact that the issue of travel comes into play. Apparently Thurman is not to keen on travelling and the same holds true for Brook.
However, Hearn did say that at least in Thurman’s case, Brook will make an exception. He wants to face Thurman and is confident that he will come out on top.
“I really rate Keith Thurman, not taking anything away from him – I just think Kell Brook’s a better fighter,” says Hearns in the same interview.