I actually don't consider Brook as being any better h2h than Chaves or Zaveck, nor does he possess a scalp half as good as Thurman does in either. He is quite a bit faster than Zaveck, and more controlled than Chaves, but they both pack more heat in their fists and know more of what they're about offensively, and both have much greater stamina. He exhibits more talent and the cuter, somewhat tidier style...and may well have the potential to prove greater than either of them but currently he would be 3rd best h2h among Thurman opponents IMO. (Of course prime Quintana would be in that conversation had Thurman faced anywhere near a prime Quintana instead of a zombie). It's funny because if you rewind just back to early this year (before Thurman vs. Zaveck or Chaves, or Brook vs. Jones II) it was Brook with the much better resume. Brook's top result considering h2h worth of the opponent was/is Matt Hatton, which dimps all over what back then was Thurman's - Lora. (Again we'll not count the ghost of Quintana) Hell...Jackiewicz, Ndou and Jennings are each more to write home about than Lora or shot Quintana. What a difference just a few months can make. Chaves and Zaveck both **** on Magic Matt. I also don't think Brook could have made a strong enough impression to compete with Thurman in those bouts on the 'eye test' no matter what he did in the Jones rematch...even had it been KO1. (Remembering that Jones is a lesser foe than Chaves or Zaveck) Now, you may point out that Chaves is largely unproven on the world stage and hardly stepped beyond his comfortable home confines - both statements apply to Brook. H2h, when has Brook put on as solid an effort as Chaves did against someone like a Thurman? As you say, he never has been in with someone that good so...data inconclusive at best. We can't as of now say he is better than Chaves or would survive as long. As for Zaveck, one might be inclined to point out Brook faring more dominantly against common opponent Jackiewicz...but that isn't so black and white. True, Brook got a TKO6 and Zaveck merely a MD - but the stoppage was largely considered early with most Brits on here acknowledging being embarrassed by it. Brook was en route to what ought to have been a wide outpounting of the Pole...which is exactly what Zaveck did, netting 117-111 on two cards but a spoiling draw from the - you guessed it - Polish judge. :yep Other extenuating circumstances include Jackiewicz being an old man, a year older between Zaveck and Brook. His body language and everything was different on the nights. Versions matter. (Which is why Cotto and Williams in the rematch get way more credit for their stoppages of Quintana than Berto or Thurman ought to). ..and lastly, styles make fights. Jackiewicz and Zaveck make for a grinding war on paper. Brook has the style to make Jackiewicz dizzy on paper. H2h I think Zaveck on paper is just too strong and determined for Brook. :good
You make great points! Still I say, Brook KO4 Zaveck and KO6 Chaves. There's no blueprint. Just kidding of course :yep I think Brook would be in for a long night vs either actually now that you mention it: I think he outpoints Zaveck after building up a lead but he doesn't have enough to hurt him or discourage him from coming forward like Thurman had, with whom Zaveck was very game but could only hope to survive against. It could be another Carson Jones type battle where Brook sees his lead eroded by the tough come-forward fighter. Chaves might have more varied an offensive arsenal to come at Brook with, that'd be an interesting fight. Yeah its amazing what a few months or year can do. This is Thurman's breakthrough year in some regard. Brook could have had a title and maybe a defense of it if the fight with Alexander had gone ahead when first planned. Instead he has stagnated further and had to make do with Jones 2. Either way I think Thurman is a great prospect. I think he gives almost anybody problems at 147 and should make some major waves in the next year or 18 months.
:good Hopefully they stay on course so they're left with no choice but to eventually collide as the premier unbeaten lads in the division. By 2014 it could be a big-money showdown or even unification instead of merely a clash of prospects.
Thurman is cut from a different cloth than Brook and will beat Brook three out of four every time. Brook's technique is a little better than Thurman's but not enough to give him a significant advantage. Thurman has that star quality and Brook doesn't. Thurman takes a better shot than Brook because Chaves laid some monster right hands on his ass and he ate that ****. I don't think Brook could have stood up under Chaves. Thurman has that star drive and he will take Brook into deep space and collapse his ass.
:nod How I see it now (without getting too carried away with the star quality or elite potential for One Time) ...or, Brook pot shots from safety to answer the dinner bell for some home cooking. Over twelve I'm just not sure he can elude Thurman long enough. If he does make it, no way Thurman decisions him assuming he is the visitor.
Thurman will destroy Brook. Which is sad because I don't mind watching Brook fight. But cattle goes to slaughter.