Brook injury prompts talks to delay US fight

Brook set up a January 19 clash with IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander after stopping Hector Saldivia in the third round of their eliminator.

But the Sheffield fighter is now unlikely to be risked for that date in the United States, with promoter Eddie Hearn hopeful of persuading Alexander’s Golden Boy Promotions team to push the bout back by a few weeks.

“Kell sustained an ankle injury that has hampered his training and running work over the last few days,” Hearn said.

“I’m concerned mainly for the travelling UK fans and it’s in no-one’s interest for the fight to fall through closer to the time, so last night I requested a three to four-week delay to the original date of January 19.

“This will eradicate the risk and ensure Kell will be 100 per cent for the biggest fight of his life,” he added.

Brook (29-0, 19 KOs) gradually manoeuvred himself into the mandatory challenger position with a series of solid wins over the last 18 months.

St Louis native Alexander, whose record reads 24-1 with 13 early wins, beat Randall Bailey in October to win the IBF crown.