Reigning IBF Welterweight champion Kell Brook may be fighting this September and the projected opponent is looming to be former WBA Lightweight champion Brandon Rios.
Word about a possible showdown between the two came out as early as March but Brook's camp reportedly held out until now, hoping that Brook could be lined up as a possible opponent for Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Mayweather is set to fight again in September, possibly his last. Brook's name was never actively mentioned seeing that Amir Khan was the top choice fans had been wooing. Brook is also looking to fight Amir Khan though that could come at a later time.
However, Mayweather mentioned earlier this week that he has whittled down the choice to either Andre Berto or Karim Mayfield, two names that fans hardly classify as solid opponents for the undefeated American boxer. Mayweather has yet to make any official announcement on who he will actually fight this September.
With Brook out the picture, Eddie Hearn has turned his attention to Brandon Rios.
Brook is undefeated in 34 bouts, 25 coming of knockouts. His last fight was against Frank Gavin which he won via TKO in the 6th round last May 30, 2015.
Rios on the other hand is 33-2-1, 24 coming off knockouts. After losing to Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, Rios has strung up two consecutive wins against Diego Chaves and Mike Alvarado. Rios hopes to ride on that momentum and give Brook a good fight for the title.
Rios, someone not known to back off from a challenge, has been looking forward to facing Brook though the contract to make the tiff official has yet to come his way.
"We are going for Kell's next defence to be at the O2 Arena on another huge show there and it's looking like it will be against Brandon Rios", Hearns was quoted as saying via ESPN.
