Brook - Alexander

dunno Jimmy seems to be a lot of people heavily favouring Alexander and Brook not got the crossover appeal a la Hatton so would be surprised if there was much of a drift. Really want Kell to win so I can't back against him, might even have a small dabble @ 7/4 though I agree he's up against it.

Yeah, bit undecided whether the 4/6 is the best im going to get. Was wanting 8/11 ideally. Im normally not bad at judging what the markets going to do but this one has me stumped.

I just think Alexander's been in with the better fighters mate. Ive had this assesment of Brook for about 4 years now that he struggles to 'figure' people out - he's fallen back heavily on his power in the past which has been enough but against a streetwise Alexander in his home town-i think he might struggle. Not finishing Matt Hatton off was poor and i seem to remember him struggling against Jennings. The Carson Jones form line doesnt look great either considering his last performance (fair enough though, styles make fights).
On the other hand Brook has been sloppy in training for much of his previous fights and if he puts in the extra work, how much will his performance improve?

Either way, really looking forward to this one.

yep me too, Brook got it all to prove and the conditioning excuse after the Jones fight could well prove to be nonsense but I dunno, I've just got a feeling he's going to put in a good performance and surprise a few people.

Thought the books over here would of had the prices the other way round

That would have been a dream sj!

From memory, Alexander's only defeat was to Bradley Junior in a unification fight.

4/6 is a huge price as defending champion in his home-town [just ask André Dirrel].

Something with Brook for me just doesn't add up. Constantly being ramped by Sky may be the reason.

He seems to have been specifically targeted at the IBF [much like Bellew with the WBC LW strap]. Do Matchroom feel this is
the best he can achieve in the division?

I think he has the power to chin the likes of Khan if/when they do finally lock horns, but given the way Danny Garcia again dismantled Amir last year, I don't see Khan as a particularly strong formline [in theory] to base an away victory at 7/4 off of.

Alexander also lost to Matthyse and Kotelnik, they just didn't get the result. That might prove a positive for Alexander backers as this one is again in St Louis.

All about the PEDS issue again for me, big allegations from the Maidana camp before their fight with Alexander. Devon looked ripped to bits for that and was very impressive, not so much in his next fight. Who's to say he didn't swerve the extra help last time out after all the heat from Maidana's team? Following the last below par performance who's to say he won't be back on them for Kel?

Same applies to Brook, his twitter/facebook pics look ridiculous. Arms outrageously thick, veins everywhere. Looked goosed against Jones, looked an athletic monster in his last outing. Could he be hugely improved again next time out after several more months with his conditioning coach, just like Marquez was after the extra time with Angel between fights 3 and 4 with Pac.

No b@stard bet again because I haven't got a clue who or what is showing up. Good luck whoever you're with, just hope there's no illegitimate surprises.

They took this route for a reason,I honestly believe they see something in Alexander they can exploit.

Alexander looked good against Maidana, nobody would have looked good aginst Bailey.

Sadly though even being a fan of Kell and thinking he has a good chance I just don't see the 7/4 being tempting enough for a fight in st Louis.

We may get a Sturm/Murray type decision though so draw may be worth a punt.

I just think they believe that whatever the result, they won't overly lose here. Can't see Alexander doing a horrific number on Kell, it's going to be competitive regardless and if he loses a close one the excuses are right there with it being in St Louis. A competitve loss would be worth it for the American exposure. Can't see them coming away to wounded from this.

*too

Fight is in Detroit people, not St Louie

Thats good, read hometown in a earlier post and assumed it was correct.

Really happy this fight is taking place, If Brook scores a decisive win then suddenly he is in line for big fights.

Have been looking for a reason to back Kell here but yet to find one. I think Brook has the power advantage and like the how versatile his right hand is - often throws a lead right hook disguised as a straight. Noticed in the first half of the Jones fight that he leaves his jab hanging sometimes, as if he's going for the double jab but doesn't. This didn't happen vs Salida so maybe a blip. I buy the conditioning story from the camp and saw first hand the results of working with Sheffield uni conditioners, if they can build on that again 7/4 will look value.
Need to watch more on Alexander. My initial thought was Brook KO but shyd away from that recently - awaiting prices.

Still defo the home fighter, even in Detroit.

Lol. People talking about how the uni guys r helping him v the guys who r drugging alex.

Maybe the conditioners should have a punch up.

F00k man too close to call. Obviously advantage alex cus he is the home fighter

I've turned into a bit of a lurker in recent years but i've been reading this blog with interest recently & just cant believe most people on here are backing Alexander to win - unless your trying to ramp the price on Brook with the bookies & i've just blown the secret... (Whoops - if thats the case!)

Seriously... Why Alexander?? I know its in America & Alexander will be seen as the "home fighter" but its not his hometown (St. Louis) & Alexander has already been on the end of a dodgy win twice there against against Matthysse & Kotelnyk - i have no worrys that if Brook deserves to win against Alexander he WILL get the decision in Detroit.

So lets look at the form guide, Alexander lost to Bradley (no shame in that - or is there?) & arguebly to Kotelnky (good techical boxer, but no great shakes - more of a gatekeeper) & Matthysse (tough slugger... slighly better version of Maidana?)

So he could have lost 3.... what gets me about the Bradley defeat is he kinda quit... the going got tough he decided he couldnt go on (with a cut???? c'mon fellas... people fight with one arm etc) & hoped he was ahead on the scorecards - which he wasnt!

Ok, its admitedly a lot more "form" than Brook.... but he had a gut check against Jones & came through it.... won the first 6 rounds easily, got his nose broke & stuggled badly - but he dug deep & came through it - showed he wants it in my opinion, Alexander didnt...

Brook hopefully has sorted his stamina out now (and even if he hasnt - alexander isnt going to be the kind of come-forward relentless fighter who is going to test it anyway!

Speed: Edge goes to Alexander
Power: Edge goes to Brook
Timing: Edge goes to Brook
Defence: Maybe just Brook...
Boxing ability: Edge goes to Alexander
Heart: Edge goes to Brook

I got the 7/4 on Brook but i still think the 13/8 is still a gift.

good post ericali and I personally have a hunch that Brook will come away with the win but I think it's easy enough to see why Alexander is heavily favoured...it's all very well saying Brook has the edge in various categories but you can't forget he's fought precisely noone...he's got to prove those attributes stand up at the top level. I think 13/8 is just about worth a bet though it's partly a mug patriotic bet too for me, if it was two americans fighting I'd be leaving it alone.

Yeh fair explanation ecarli but for me it's too close to call.

Alexander much more of a sharp shooter than plodded jones and better boxer than Jennings.

Agreed he lost to kotlinink, maybe v mathysse but bradley and him was close, I thought he was edging it. Brooks lack of opposition might turn him over ere.

2 close to call

carrie1187 • December 6, 2012 11:53 PM GMT
Not on best run myself. Hoping that it will be "england world cup" syndrome. Everyone jumps on bandwagon and end up being priced on fact he's english... He's never been near anyone of the quality of alexander.. Alexanders  last fight was a let down yes, but look what happened to mike jones, it was just one of them fights, I'll let him of playing that fight safe. The thing that makes me so positive is the performance against maidana, devon was awesome, he hurt him, totally outboxed him, haven't seen maidanas game been taken away like that before, very rare you see him backing up. I think alexander will prove he is an elite fighter and a lot better than we have seen so far (i think this weight class suits him a lot better) also don't see him as a boring fighter as many do. This fight will tell me whether i'm right or very wrong about him (made excuses last fight) He's boxing at "home", he's been in with top top fighters (agree got some questionable decisions) Looked a different fighter at this weight, i don't think anyones doubted his boxing ability, and maybe key hes been in with big big punchers (matthyse, maidana and bailey) and i think he's took there power well in general especially last two since move up. That is what for me is the biggest problem for brook who i've never seen as a big puncher, or a fighter who has the killer instinct. I can't see him outboxing devon enough to get a decision and i can see devon working out quite quickly that brook can't hurt him. And we all know what problems this can cause... However my record lately (backed cotto points, moreno points, lara points wud of won if not for headbutt, and a couple more) says that i'm probably totally wrong lol PS CANT WAIT for MARQUEZ to FINALLY get what he DESERVES!!!

That was my opinion on the fight, hasnt changed! Although can add adamek ko at 7-4 to my bad run (wish id watched adamek vs the cuban before would of realised he's used to getting heavily Knocked down and get up)

I think broook will win this and shy why he is the special one, should have mourinho in his corner.

show

brook my spelling is attrocious.

Maidana was coming up though Carrie and there was heavy heavy accusations of drug use from Alexander, which possible explains his stamina boost, an attribute he's struggled with all his career. It's hard enough on ability between these two, you throw in the uncertainty of what version of each fighter shows up and it's near on impssoible for me.

Might have a little dabble on the draw. Could be super close and if Kel looks to have done enough there's every chance they call it a tie.

Brook will be exposed for what he is, has fought anyone even half decent and made hard work of Carson who??
the same carson that should have lost his next fight to a nobody who took the fight at 3 days notice and stepped up a weight.
Wouldnt back him at 10/1 nevermind 6/4.

all British hype as usual.

Whilst i wouldnt word it as strongly as Maravilla, a lot of what he says has some truth about it.

True Jimmy was probably a bit harsh, i should really be happy with this market as i thought Devon would
be a lot shorter, Devon may even drift further closer to the fight with the patriotic money coming.

Your post was spot on mate, couldnt agree more with everything you said, its hard to tell how good Brook actually
is as we havent seen him fight anyone yet, really looking forward to it tho!

Think we are singing from the same hymn sheet here Maravilla.

I just think that on the evidence infront of us then Alexander has a better edge than 4/6.....hence he's a bet (for me anyway). I think Brook has more to give and can improve. In one way it would be nice to see another Brit get a world title but we are presuming he's going to have trained to his full potential which we cant be sure of.

Alexander has been in with world class operators and however contraversial some of those results might have been, we cant deny he held his own against them at the very least. Throw in the fact that he will be the home fighter and it looks even better for him.

Im trying not to read too much into the Carson Jones formline but you simply cant ignore it im afraid. I think Alexander has the big edge in 'boxing brain'.

Holding off backing yet to see if Alexander will drift, hopefully he will but i just dont know with this one.

Alexander is a massive fav in my book especially on home turf. I really thought that Matchroom would have gone all out to get the fight in the UK having manoeuvred Brook into the mandatory position. As things stand i feel Brook will have to stop Alexander and i just dont see that happenening.

I have read about a few British fighters saying that when they fought in the States they became tired very quickly feeling heavy legged.

When Brook fought on the undercard of Ward-Froch I thought he looked poor and took some meaty shots against a C level fighter.

I fancy Alexander strongly for this one and in my book I'd have him a 1/2 shot.

Fight off.

Alexander injures bicep.

I'm not sure Alexander ever wanted this.

ffs

Looks a duck to me

well, not exactly a duck...looking like Alexander has landed the Mayweather jackpot instead, pretty disgraceful so close to fight time after all the work Brook has put in but suppose we should be used to all this by now. They're talking about it being a unification fight...going to take some serious step aside money for Matchroom to allow that surely? Unless Brook is promised a shot at the winner? I think that's a distinct possibility no matter how mad it sounds.

Brook can't be promised a shot at the winner, why would Mayweather fight him?

They signed a contract with Devon and that clearly isn't worth anything, even if the IBF said he could fight the winner Floyd would vacate the belt and if Devon won he'd no doubt have a rematch with Floyd.

Best scenario for Kell is a slot on the undercard with a name fighter like Maidana or Lopez but even that seems unlikely, he's been stitched up.

I wouldn't rule out Mayweather fighting Brook completely,  thousands of Brits descending on Vegas is a pretty lucrative  option. Granted Brook has nowhere near the level of support as Hatton right now, but a big win and the correct publicity in the meantime might change that.

Khan's just been given a high ranking @ 147 with the WBC hasn't he...Khan vs Brook winner gets Floyd vs Alexander winner, simples.

Probably all turn out to be bollocks anyway and it'll end up being Guerrerro.

I'd rather see Guerrero than Alexander.

To be honest I'd rather see Danny Garcia than Alexander.

Bradley has an opponent now, not that it means anything really.

Canelo looks to be fighting Trout.

IBF not allowing a unification anyway so Alexander may be f*cked.

nor should they.
the dullest of dull picks for mayweather. hopefully gets the ppv buys it deserves.