England’s Purdy to replace Brook in title fight
England’s Lee Purdy will replace unbeaten compatriot Kell Brook in a May 18 world welterweight title bout against American southpaw Devon Alexander, promoters announced on Tuesday.
Purdy, 20-3 with one drawn and 13 knockouts, will challenge for the International Boxing Federation crown held by Alexander, 24-1 with 13 knockouts, at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
Brook, 29-0 with 19 knockouts, was forced to withdraw from the fight because of a foot injury. The bout had been delayed twice before, first by a Brook ankle injury in December and then by a February biceps injury to Alexander.
Alexander, a former world light welterweight champion, took the title with a unanimous decision last October over Randall Bailey at New York.
Purdy will be fighting in his first world title bout, and comes in off a ninth-round stoppage of Mexico’s Cosme Rivera on March 9 at London’s Wembley Arena, his fourth win in a row inside the distance over the past year.
Also on the Alexander-Purdy card will be American Lamont Peterson, the IBF light welterweight champion who is 31-1-1 with 16 knockouts, facing Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse, 33-2 with 31 knockouts.
The fight will be fought at a catchweight of 141 pounds so Peterson’s title will not be at stake.
But the winner is expected to next meet unbeaten American Danny Garcia, the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council light welterweight champion, and that winner is likely to defend against England’s Amir Khan.
