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Fans rightly disappointed with Hearn as Brook opponent announced

Don’t get me wrong, Kell Brook vs Diego Chaves is a good bout. But is it what the fans wanted? No.

There are up to five other opponents we would have preferred Brook to face.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has decided to go with a money first, legacy second, policy.

He knows the arena in Sheffield will sell out. He knows he can pack an undercard with Matchroom boxers. He knows Kell Brook will retain his title to set up more events that will pay well.

Boxing fans demanded a Timothy Bradley or Keith Thurman. They would be announcements to get excited about- Kell Brook heading to America to clash with the best.

What’s frustrating is that we know how talented Brook is. He demonstrated his ability against Shawn Porter in California. Following that he had a mandatory defence followed by a PPV match with Frankie Gavin which was a major let down for fans.

Hearn is content to wait, earn some money and keep the title safe until Amir Khan comes crawling for a huge domestic encounter that will generate money galore.

A Wembley showdown with Khan would be special. But in the meantime is it too much to ask for Brook to travel the globe and test himself against the greatest and secure a legacy?

He may be the IBF welterweight world champion, but he has only had one great night in boxing.

For him to be considered as one of Britain’s best, he needs more big fights to truly go down in history.

His contest with Diego Chaves will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on October 24th.

Liam McInerney

Colour writer for world section of irish-boxing.com. A Sugar Ray Robinson biography inspired me to be a boxing journalist. Twitter- @_LiamMcInerney

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