Who next for Kell Brook?

Sport360 staff 05:59 12/09/2016
Raised profile: Kell Brook impressed against Golovkin.

Kell Brook lost as a professional for the first time when his IBF and WBC middleweight title fight with the fearsome Gennady Golovkin ended in a fifth-round stoppage.

He will be operated on during the coming week after his right eye socket was broken, but has already spoken of his intention to return at light-middleweight.

Who are the likely contenders for his next opponent?

Amir Khan (Light Middleweight)

The fight Brook has long wanted, and which would be the biggest either can expect in the UK.

Khan has long dismissed his rival as not having enough of a reputation, which will be more difficult to argue after he impressed so many against Golovkin.

As well as the bad feeling between the two, what weight they fight at could prove a problem.

Saul Alvarez (Light Middleweight)

Many consider a fight between Mexico’s Alvarez and Golovkin as the biggest in the world.

The 26-year-old appears in no rush to fight the man from Kazakhstan, however, and with Brook said to have impressed American television network HBO on Saturday night he may be considered as a suitable opponent.

Alvarez next fights Britain’s Liam Smith for the WBO light-middleweight title on Saturday.

Liam Smith (Light Middleweight)

The 28-year-old defends his WBO light-middleweight title against Alvarez on Saturday.

In the event of victory or defeat – the former is expected – a match-up against Brook would have widespread appeal.

The weight would also suit each fighter, but how likely an agreement is between rival promoters Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn, who respectively work with Smith and Brook, is in doubt.

Miguel Cotto (Light Middleweight)

Puerto Rico’s oncegreat Cotto, 35, is in the final stages of his decorated career yet retains enough of his abilities to remain a worthwhile opponent.

His reputation would also ensure a potential fight against Brook would generate significant interest both in the US and UK.

Brook’s promoters, however, are likely to pursue an easier – and cheaper – fight given he is expected to be out until at least next spring.

Cornelius Bundrage (Light Middleweight)

America’s former world champion Bundrage, 43, may prove the ideal opponent for Brook to return against.

His promoters are fond of pursuing fights with fighters who were once world-level but offer a reduced threat.

Bundrage is established at light-middleweight and fought for a world title in his past fight, but no longer poses a huge threat.

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