I suggest he has 2 fights before he fights for the world title, in 9 months time. I'd have a lid of 3 opponents, and pick when me in what order: Cano, Senchenko and Aydin as the ranked very worthy contenders. If he fought one of these it would be a high step up. If not, then Thurman, Bizier, Shawn Porter as well
I would go for Maidana or Lopez, tough fight but he gains respect if beats one of those. I think he will fight Senchenko next, as its an easier fight.
Once Broner beats Malignaggi and then likely vacates then Hearn should try his damn hardest to get Kell a fight for that belt or at least one of these "eliminators" that will lead to it. The IBF and Alexander are likely a dead route now, best to just let that go instead dwelling, it's doing his career no good. It just wasn't meant to be. In the meantime he needs a keep busy fight. **** shipping in some no-mark Argie who just wants to get paid and will be blasted out in 3 rds, get someone who'll make Kell work. Senchenko would be a pick or maybe someone like Randall Bailey? Both very beatable opponents who he could main event a card against and keep himself active. He's meant to be fighting in Hull soon, wouldn't be surprised if we saw a Carson Jones rematch. He has to get some better wins under his belt though before he goes for a world title. I believe he CAN do it, he just needs good promoting.
Devon doesn't really want to fight someone like Kell, he wants a major name in a big money fight. I wouldn't be surprised if by the time another mandatory fight is scheduled Devon will have moved on. Kell needs a couple of fights this year, I'd like to see Vassell & Zaveck
Bailey would ruin Brook. Last thing a fighter loses is his punch and if Brook gasses out like he did vs Carson Jones he would have his head taken off. Berto would **** him up too in a bad bad way.
Hearn isn't afraid to take his fighters away from home but he should try and keep Brook's fights in this country for the time being and get a strap on home turf if possible. Brook shat himself when he went out and fought that bum on the Atlantic City Froch-Ward undercard, so Hearn should think twice about him having his first fight at world level back over there.
Brook wouldn't gas against Bailey. He could fight at a pace that he'd be entirely comfortable with. I'd like to see that fight, and I think he'd win comfortably.