Is Brook Finally Ready For His IBF Title Shot?

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Kell Brook warmed up for his pending world title shot with a clinical display against the tough Mexican Alvaro Robles.

Brook extended his unbeaten record to 32 wins with 22 by way of knock-out last Saturday at Liverpool’s Echo Arena. Robles came into the fight as a somewhat unknown quantity but with a record suggesting that he was a big puncher 15 of his 17 wins by knock-out.

Brook started very well landing his jab with unerring accuracy. Every jab he threw seemed to land on target. Robles face was reddening very early on and it was a sign of things to come for the Mexican. Brook set everything up with the jab and began to land a good variety of punches on his opponent.

Brook looked to be fully confident in his ability and had the swagger of a man who knew he was a level above his opponent. This swagger didn’t lead to over-confidence though as Brook remained wary and professional throughout the fight.

Robles was docked a point for continual low blows but continued to pour everything he had into the fight and put up a very brave, typically Mexican show of pride.

Brook started to land a series of big shots in the 7th and the referee could have easily stepped in. Robles was throwing back on occasions but he was taking some real abuse and there was no chance he was going to be able to turn the tide.

The 8th was more of the same as Brook piled on the pressure and thankfully Robles corner threw in the towel and protected their man from any more punishment.

Brook put up a good reminder of just what a talent he is and that he has mind fully on the job in hand. This should serve him well when it comes to his shot at the IBF title this summer. He will need to be both mentally and physically right if he is to head back to Sheffield as a world champion.

Brook doesn’t know who his opponent will be yet as the current champion Shawn Porter will defend the title against the veteran Paulie Malignaggi in Washington on April 19th.

Porter is the younger man who may have more natural ability but Malignaggi is a smart, cunning fighter who has enjoyed a renaissance to his career in recent years. Malignaggi claimed the WBA welterweight title back in 2012 against Vyacheslav Senchenko. He then went onto successfully defend the title against Pablo Cesar Cano before losing it to Adrien Broner.

Broner was being labelled as a major star in the sport and as someone who could be a pound for pound contender in the future. Malignaggi showed his experience and put up an impressive display against the heavily favorite Broner. Broner has since gone on to beat fellow veteran Zab Judah and will come into his fight with Porter feeling very confident that he will pull off the victory.

Porter aged 26 is an unbeaten fighter who put up a determined effort in beating the then IBF champion Devon Alexander. Alexander was the favorite coming into the fight with his technically superior ability but Porter showed the desire to fight and Alexander didn’t seem to have the same passion.

Kell has stated that he doesn’t mind who he has to face for the world title in the summer but perhaps Paulie Malignaggi would be the better option commercially.

Malignaggi is well known to British fight fans following defeats to Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan in the past and is a charismatic man. He is highly knowledgeable on the sport of boxing and regularly commentates on fights. This seems to have improved his own boxing ability in recent years.