After winning the IBF welterweight strap against Shawn Porter last August, Kell Brook has made two successful defences of his world title, but the Sheffield fighter is looking for an opponent who will elevate his status on both a British and world level.
However, with Brook scheduled to make his next appearance on October 24, he has been left frustrated by the failure to secure a bout with Amir Khan, while long-term candidate Brandon Rios is out of the running. A number of other major names are also unavailable, meaning that the 29-year-old has limited options as he looks to secure a notable foe.
Below, Sports Mole suggest five names that are realistically in the running to face Brook late in the autumn.
1. Diego Chaves
Diego Chaves isn't a name that will be well known to British boxing fans, but realistically, the Argentine is the front-runner to get the nod. While the 29-year-old has only won one of his last four outings, he has produced credible performances in each fight and his name has frequently been mentioned by promoter Eddie Hearn as a possible opponent for Brook.
Two years ago, Chaves went 10 rounds with Keith Thurman, who now holds the WBA belt, before he returned after a routine win with a ninth-round disqualification against Rios at a time when he was winning the fight. Last December, he secured a draw with Timothy Bradley, although the general feeling was that Bradley had done enough to have secured a comfortable points triumph.
Nevertheless, Chaves has a draw against the WBO title holder on his record and with Chaves being ranked at number four with the IBF, he could be drafted in as an opponent for October 24 rather than go through a final eliminator with Devon Alexander.
2. Chris Algieri
When Amir Khan announced that he would face Chris Algieri in New York earlier this year, his decision was met with fierce criticism. But under a new trainer, Algieri produced a much-improved performance to the one that saw him dropped six times during a defeat to Manny Pacquiao.
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Khan still ran out a fairly convincing winner but his American opponent showed that he is still in and around world level, and that has thrown open the possibility of Algieri being in contention to meet Brook in October. The fight perhaps wouldn't capture the imagination of supporters but from a strategic point of view, this could be a positive solution for both Brook and Hearn.
After Khan insisted that Algieri was a world-class opponent in May, it gives Brook the leeway to take the fight with the former light-welterweight world champion and attempt to inflict the first stoppage defeat of his career. Algieri's height would also pose different issues for the Yorkshireman, problems that he may have to face against higher-quality opposition later in his career.
3. Jessie Vargas
Last month, former world light-welterweight champion Jessie Vargas moved up a division to face Bradley, but despite being largely outclassed, he ended the fight by almost stopping his opponent. He ultimately ran out of time but that one shot has enhanced his reputation in the sport.
Despite being world champion for the best part of 2014, Vargas didn't carry much power at 140lbs, but his final blow against Bradley was potentially a sign that he is more suited to the higher weight. The controversy surrounding the conclusion of that bout has resulted in Vargas appealing the result, but with an overturn unlikely, he could be tempted into meeting Brook.
4. Devon Alexander
Alexander has been pencilled in to feature in a world title eliminator with Chaves, but as mentioned above, that fight could possibly be scrapped if terms can be agreed with either man. Stylistically, Chaves makes a more attractive opponent for Brook but former world champion Alexander would also represent a major name.
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His stock has fallen after his emphatic defeat against Khan, but he has still faced enough world-level opposition to be considered a respectable dance partner for Brook. A bout between these two had previously been pencilled in for early 2013, before he and Brook suffered three injuries between them that resulted in the contest being scrapped.
Facing Alexander would throw up a technical challenge for Brook but he would hold little fear against an opponent who is considered to be a light puncher at 147lbs. That said, with Alexander a potential mandatory challenger for early next year, a decision to face the 28-year-old now rather than later couldn't really be criticised.
5. Sadam Ali
An outsider, yet still a realistic opponent, could be Sadam Ali, who has put together 22 victories in a row since turning professional in 2009. He will be unknown to the casual fan but he is well thought of by Golden Boy Promotions and seems destined for a major fight during the next 12 months.
Reports had linked Ali with a meeting with Bradley in Dubai, but with doubts arising over that match, it wouldn't be a major surprise should Ali end up in the opposite corner on October 24.
The 26-year-old is ranked in the top six of the WBA, IBF and WBO and with his last three outings taking place at the Brooklyn Center, Boardwalk Hall and Madison Square Garden, he is no stranger to the big stage.
Darren Plant
