Kell Brook Set for Bumpy Ride in October
It’s not going to send boxing fans into a frenzy (like a Brook-Khan announcement would), but Diego Chaves isn’t all that bad of an opponent. Kell Brook, Britain’s undefeated IBF Welterweight champ, will be facing the Argentine on October 24th in Sheffield. Chaves isn’t what you’d call a world-beater per se, but his style could land Brook in some trouble. Chaves is a rugged brawler whose durability and toughness makes up for what he lacks in quality.
He can bang, and is well known for breaking the rules before bending them. He will come into the fight 23-2-1, 19 KO, while Brook will enter 35-0, 24 KO.
Chaves, who fought to a Split Draw against Timothy Bradley last December, has a record of 1-2-1 in his last four fights. But there is hope for the snarling slinger. Brook experienced difficulties with a similar type of foe in Shawn Porter last August, and had to dig deep to find an answer to Porter’s non-stop pressure. So who knows? If Chaves can break Brook’s rhythm and force him into a fight, Chaves could find himself trailing an upset.
Kell Brook will be the favorite here, nonetheless, given his sublime technique and eye-catching artillery, but will nonetheless be facing one of his toughest tests to date in Diego Chaves. The Sheffield fighter was last in the ring against countryman Frankie Gavin in May, who he comfortably blasted out inside 6 one-sided rounds.
Andy Lee-Billy Joe Saunders is Off…Again
Well, not completely. Just postponed we hope. Andy Lee-Billy Joe Saunders is set to be one of the most competitive match-ups of the year, but fans will now have to wait longer. After Saunders’ team announced their fighter had suffered a significant cut in sparring, the Hatfield fighter had no choice but to withdraw from the clash. The championship bout, which was recently bumped up to October 10th, does not yet have a future date inked in.
The news will have caused a great number of sighs to spill out in the boxing fandom – especially in the UK – but it is what it is. Saunders is undefeated and has a lot to prove at 160, so truth be told, we’d rather see him dance with Lee in as best shape as physically possible. Given the injury is a cut, and that Saunder’s opponent is notoriously heavy-handed, we shouldn’t expect to see them in the ring before mid-December.
Saunders will climb through the ropes – eventually – with a perfect 22-0, 12 KO, and Lee 34-2-1, 24 KO. Lee is coming off an impressive Split Draw – yes, you read that right – against Peter Quillin in April, and Saunders a 4th round TKO against Yoann Bloyer in a July tune-up bout.
What’s your take on Kell Brook’s October title defense with Diego Chaves? And what of Lee-Saunders? Is this the last setback we’re going to hear about?
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