• Welterweight

Brook-Alexander postponed for third time

ESPN staff
April 15, 2013

Welterweight contender Kell Brook has been forced to postpone his title shot at IBF champion Devon Alexander for a third time after suffering a recurrence of a long-standing foot injury.

The Sheffield native underwent scans to assess the extent of the stress fracture in his right foot ahead of the May 18 fight date, but now looks set for a lengthy rehabilitation period before trying to schedule the fight for a fourth time in the autumn.

"Kell has recently developed pain in his right foot," promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed in a statement.

"Following specialist review and investigations over the last ten days he has been diagnosed with a stress fracture of his right fourth metatarsal and a further injury of his right navicular, both of which require on-going treatment including withdrawal from full training."

Brook was originally due to meet Alexander on January 19 but rolled his ankle in December, only for the rearranged fight, set for February 23, to be cancelled when Alexander pulled out with a bicep injury.

Brook, with an unblemished record of 29 wins, is the mandatory challenger for Alexander's first title defence, though the American's camp remain determined to fight on the undercard of the Lamont Peterson-Lucas Matthysse welterweight unification bout.

Sympathy was in short supply last week when news of Brook's injury reached the Alexander camp, with talk of the Briton having blown his shot and Alexander putting his title on the line against an alternative opponent.

"Can you believe this clown Brook?" Kevin Cunningham, Alexander's trainer and manager, said last week. "Devon boxed 10 rounds and is looking sharp. He's ready to go May 18th, with Brook or without him.

"I'm keeping Devon focused on fighting May 18th. If Brook's not ready it's time to move on."

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